BOBS shoes, by Skechers, have been around for quite a while. Over the past few years, their popularity has skyrocketed for several reasons.
For starters, the sneakers are incredibly comfortable and durable. You’ll be able to wear them for hours without any stiffness or aches and pains.
Other than that, BOBS shoes are exceptionally stylish. They come in a wide variety of shapes and designs, from extravagant to simple.
However, after years of wearing the same pair of shoes, chances are they’ll be dirty and smelly. So, you may wonder, can you wash BOBS shoes?
If that’s your question, you’ve come to the right place to get the answer. In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about cleaning the sneakers.
What Are BOBS Shoes Made Of?
To find out if you can clean your sneakers, you should know what they’re made of. Skechers started making BOBS shoes back in 2010.
At first, the kicks consisted of canvas. It’s a material that’s made of hemp, flax, or similar yarn.
Because of that, the casual shoes are breathable and amazingly comfortable.
Yet, soon later, the company branched out and began making kicks out of suede. These are leather shoes with their topmost layer rubbed off.
That gives the kicks a velvety finish that’s soft to the touch.
Today, you can find all sorts of shoe designs in both materials. They come in a wide variety of colors and patterns with different accessories.
These styles are available for men, women, and even children.
Finally, Skechers’ BOBS shoes may also come in a few other materials. For that reason, it’s always best to check the tag or manufacturer’s website for the most accurate data on care.
How Can You Clean BOBS Shoes?
Just like all other footwear, Skechers BOBS shoes will get dirty with continuous use. Even if you take special care of your sneakers, there’s no way to keep them completely clean.
Thankfully, there are a few ways you can go about washing the shoes.
The most popular choice is throwing them in the washing machine. This will clean canvas BOBS shoes in a flash, without much effort from you.
Yet, this isn’t always the best option. Whether or not you can put the kicks in the washer will depend on the material.
That’s because suede won’t survive a cycle in the device. On the other hand, you should be able to put canvas in the washer without facing issues.
While you can throw canvas shoes in the washer, doing so often isn’t the best idea. That’s because frequent spin cycles can degrade the integrity and lifespan of the shoe.
Handwashing is generally more gentle and may increase the longevity of the kicks. This method requires a bit of elbow grease, but it’ll keep your sneakers in tip-top condition.
So, you have to read the care instructions that come with your shoes. They’ll talk about the best cleaning habits for your kicks.
How to Wash BOBS Shoes in a Washing Machine?
There’s no easier way to clean an article of clothing than using a washing machine. The same concept applies to footwear.
So, if you find out your Skechers BOBS shoes are washing machine safe, then you’re in luck. All you have to do is follow a few simple steps and your kicks will be as good as new.
In this section, we’ll cover the instructions to make your life easier.
Step 1: Remove Debris or Excess Dust
When you wear shoes out on the street, chances are pebbles and other small rocks will get stuck in the soles.
These tiny stones can wreak havoc on your washing machine. They’ll jump around all over the place and collide with the drum.
This can cause it to bend out of shape and stop turning.
So, to keep your washer safe, it’s crucial that you do a little pre-cleaning first. To do that, you’ll need to grab a soft-bristled brush with long bristles or a soft cloth.
Start off by dusting the soles of your shoes. Make sure you remove any pebbles or debris that’s stuck in the rubber.
After that, use the soft brush to go over the entire surface of the kicks. This will get rid of any excess dust that may have settled into the fabric.
Step 2: Place the Shoes in a Container
Placing Skechers BOBS shoes directly into a washer isn’t a good idea. That’s because the sneakers are lightweight.
So, they’ll forcefully tumble all over the place and bang into the drum. This may cause irreparable damage to the washer.
For that reason, you’ll need to put the shoes in a container first. The vessel should be sturdy enough to keep the shoes in place.
Yet, it also has to be porous to allow water to move in and out freely. Luckily, there are a couple of options for you to choose from.
First up, you can opt for a mesh laundry bag. The holes in the container are perfect for the shoe-cleaning process.
However, if you don’t have a mesh bag, then a pillow case will do in a pinch.
Step 3: Start the Washing Cycle
After placing your BOBS shoes in a bag, it’s time for washing. All that’s left is to add a laundry detergent to the mix and start the washer.
Yet, before you do that, turn your attention to the device’s settings. To clean shoes, you’ll need to set your washer to a gentle cycle.
This will ensure the sneakers don’t go flying around the drum. Other than that, choose a low-temperature setting.
Staying away from hot water should help you avoid the fabric strands degrading in the heat.
Step 4: Air Dry the Shoes
Once the wash cycle ends, take the shoes out of the mesh bag and set them out on a counter. Then, stuff the kicks with newspapers or paper towels.
This will ensure that your shoes maintain their shape as they dry.
Moving on, you’ll need to give the kicks a few hours to completely air dry. So, place them in an area that gets plenty of airflow to speed up the process.
You can leave your shoes in the sun to make the drying time faster, but it’s not a good idea. That’s because the direct heat source may warp the sneakers as they dry.
On top of that, sunlight can cause the color of your kicks to fade. This is especially true for canvas shoes.
Finally, you’re free to wear your shoes or store them back on a shelf. Yet, remember to keep them in a cool, dry space to avoid mold or mildew buildup.
How to Wash BOBS Shoes by Hand?
If you have a pair of suede BOBS kicks, then the washer isn’t an option. The only way to clean the leather shoes is by hand.
So, in this section, we’ll walk you through what to do.
Step 1: Remove Excess Dust and Debris
Just like in the previous section, you’ll need to start by cleaning the soles of your shoes. Remove any rocks or debris you find.
Yet, you’ll have to add an extra step. That’s because suede has a raised, fuzzy surface.
Because of that, cleaning this material is a little trickier than other fabrics. Its texture allows dust to settle into tiny crevices all over the shoes.
So, to make your life easier, it’s best to have a specialized suede cleaner or suede eraser handy. These can remove tough stains in a flash.
Moving on, before you begin cleaning, you’ll have to get rid of dust. To do that, you’ll need an old toothbrush.
With a dry, soft brush, dust the entire surface of your kicks. While you do that, remember to brush with the grain. That way, you’ll avoid ripping out suede fibers as you work.
Other than that, be as gentle as you can with the shoes. Try not to squeeze them too hard in your hands as you dust.
You can also use a leather cleaning lotion to make this step easier.
Step 2: Fill a Container With Soapy Water
For this step, you’ll need to find a bucket. The vessel should be large enough to fit a pair of shoes comfortably.
If you’re not sure what size container to use, remember that bigger is always better. That’s because as soon as you start scrubbing, there’ll be plenty of splashing.
So, to keep your home dry, it’s best to use a bucket that’s a little larger than you need.
Next, place the container on a level surface and fill it about three-quarters of the way up with water.
You can use cold water, but warm water is much better. Then, add a few drops of mild detergent to the mix.
Step 3: Soak the Shoes
Before you start scrubbing, you should let your shoes soak in the soapy water for a few minutes. This will loosen up any dried, stubborn stains and soften the fabric of the kicks.
During this step, you need to ensure that the sneakers are fully submerged in the warm water. Wait about 10 to 15 minutes before you move on to the next step.
Step 4: Scrub the Shoes
Now that the shoes have had time to soak in the warm water, it’s time for scrubbing. Grab your trusty old toothbrush and get to work.
As we mentioned, it’s important that you brush with the grain as you clean.
Take your time scrubbing every section of the kicks. Based on how much excess dirt the shoes held, you may need to replace your soapy water halfway through the process.
Step 5: Air Dry the Shoes
Once you’re done with cleaning, you can let the shoes air dry for at least 24 hours. While you do that, don’t forget to stuff the kicks with newspaper to help them keep their shape.
Wrapping Up
Can you wash BOBS shoes? The simple answer to this question is yes, there are a couple of ways you can clean the kicks.
Yet, the method you choose will depend on the material of your shoes. If you’re working with canvas BOBS shoes, then you can throw them in the washer.
Yet, with suede kicks, the safest way to clean them is by hand. Because of that, we recommend that you check the tag or manufacturer’s website for the most accurate data on care.