Yes, you can wash your athletic shoes in the washer! (Reebok, spin)

[Fatty MacButter]

I was a skeptic, but I've washed mine 5 times and each time they have turned out great -- almost like new. Just toss them in the machine with a couple of heavy towels for a balanced load. I use a good dose of detergent and OxiClean with warm water. Oh, remove the laces and hand wash them because they might get tangled on the spinner. Oh, don't put your shoes in the dryer. Let them air dry. Actually, the washing machine spin dry function takes most of the water out. You can scrub the rubber sole siding of your shoes with whitening toothpaste to get them really sparkly. Well that's it -- it can be done!

[westhou]

Originally Posted by Fatty MacButter

I was a skeptic, but I've washed mine 5 times and each time they have turned out great -- almost like new. Just toss them in the machine with a couple of heavy towels for a balanced load. I use a good dose of detergent and OxiClean with warm water. Oh, remove the laces and hand wash them because they might get tangled on the spinner. Oh, don't put your shoes in the dryer. Let them air dry. Actually, the washing machine spin dry function takes most of the water out. You can scrub the rubber sole siding of your shoes with whitening toothpaste to get them really sparkly. Well that's it -- it can be done!

I never wash my athletic shoes. I run in them twice a week at the park and get them really dirty each time. Washing them seems a bit pointless. I just wish I could throw my dress shoes in the washing machine.

[Zembonez]

I've washed countless Nike, Reebok, and New Balance shoes in the washer. Never had a pair that didn't come out looking much better - and no problems. Even leather comes out nice.

[pythonis]

Youre kidding me, right? I thought everyone tossed their sneakers in the washer.

As for drying, if you dont want to use a dryer the best thing ive found is newspaper. Just wad it up and shove it in there. Dries em really fast.

[Ulysses61]

For decades runners have been told NEVER to wash your running shoes in the washer. I abided by this "rule" until recently. I saw an interview with Frank Shorter (Olympic gold medalist in the marathon), and he said to place your shoes in a pillow case when you wash them. This cleans the shoes but protects them as well. It works!

[exit82]

Originally Posted by Ulysses61

For decades runners have been told NEVER to wash your running shoes in the washer. I abided by this "rule" until recently. I saw an interview with Frank Shorter (Olympic gold medalist in the marathon), and he said to place your shoes in a pillow case when you wash them. This cleans the shoes but protects them as well. It works!

protects them from what?

[td333]

Originally Posted by exit82

protects them from what?

Maybe the abrasive wear and tear common to washing items in a machine.

Who knows.

[plundershop]

This thread is sheer poetry. And good advice about sneakers. Cheetos. Thanks. I'm gona go put my shoes in a pillow case now and will report back my results.

[TabulaRasa]

Hah, my mom washed my sneakers in the was ing machine when I was a kid...never occurred to me not to.

[Meemur]

Yeah, I was told the same thing about not washing them, but the pillow idea makes sense.

I have one extremely stinky pair. I'll see what happens.