OT: Front Load washers and tennis shoes

I can only tell you that my bottom-of-the-line front loader washer from Sears is 5+ years old. I have used tennis shoes many, many times as a "fluffer" in both the washer and dryer. My machines are still going strong, I still love them, and have not had any repairs or strange noises or other things to make me think that I've shortened it's life span in any way. I'd say go for it!

Leslie & The Furbabies > It is getting to be spring time here in Iowa. And you all know with spring

My Mum used to do this - I think by now none of us want to put our shoes in the washer, but this is for the love of the shoes, not the washer.

Also, there are recommendations about washing tennis balls with washable pillows/duvets/sleeping bags to help the fluff.

Of course, my washer uses so little water, I don't think shoes would get a good enough rinse.

But in my experience it will not do the machine any harm - of course, I am not going to repair yours if it does!

Hanne in London

Most of us over here in the UK have front loaders, I do indeed wash shoes in it, but usually make some felted wool with the shoes for agitation! Works well and doesnt harm my W M!

Thanks Leslie. After what I paid for the things the last thing I wanted to do was to try it and hurt my machine. I guess I'll just give it a go.

Charlotte

Thansk Hanne. I get what I can off by hand or a brush, and use my washer to do the rest. If it doesn't work, I guess we just deal with it, or I find another method.

Charlotte

Thanks Estelle.

Charlotte

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Hi Charlotte, I too live in soggy springtime Iowa. I have a Matag front loading washer and put our walking shoes with the insoles taken out and washed in the machine with a couple of old towels. Hasn't seemed to hurt the washer in 4 years. Andrea

Thanks Andera. This is just what I'm going to do now that I know all that clunking is more of an annoyance to me than an issue for the machine. Hopefully towels will help deaden some of that noise.

So where in IA are you? I'm in the Ames area. Charlotte

I am a recent owner of a front loading washing machine. DH & I had a tour of a goat farm & dairy last week & our shoes were in desperate need of cleaning when we got home. I threw them in & had no problem & they came out cleaner than in my old top loader. I have a rack to put them on in the dryer, so don't have that annoying problem of the door coming open all the time.

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I can wash shoes, but when I put them in the dryer they knock the door open everytime they hit it. Takes forever to dry a load that way. : )

Vikki in WA State

My dryer came with a rack that you put inside the doesn't rotate with the drum. It's great for drying shoes etc.

the trick to washing shoes in a front loader is to put them in and go shopping... when you get back they will be clean and you won't have to listen to the noise

Yea, I think that is what I'm going to have to do. Or perhaps a walk or something to enjoy this nice weather we are starting to have. Only problem is my sons only have 1 pair of shoes. I think theirs are going to have to wait for sandall weather. But that is not such a bad idea anyways cause the minute they head back out to play those shoes are going to be as dirty as they were before the washing. Thanks Jessamy.

Charlotte

I wash odd things all the time in my front-loader. If it worries you though, add a couple of old towels or the dog's blanket. Helps muffle the clunks. Roberta in D

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