I Just Learned How Often We're Meant To Wash Our Shoes, And I'm Appalled

Cleaning shoesThough expert laundry advice is often welcome (did you know we’re only meant to wash our jeans once every ten wears or so?), more often, the official rules seem a little tougher.For instance, we’re meant to wash our pillows (not the cases, which should go for a spin once a week – the actual pillow) twice a year. Even our bras are meant to get a wash every two to three wears.But what about shoes? Surely those are exempt? Well, not according to Anne Sharkey, a podiatrist, who points out that everything from allergens to bacteria to literal poop (lovely) regularly accumulates on your favourite trainers. How often should I wash my shoes?Sharkey told TIME your shoes are due for a deep-clean every couple of months if they face moderate wear – athletic shoes you don daily may benefit from a once-weekly wash. Wiping them down with a cloth daily can help to reduce germs in the meantime, she adds. Nike, meanwhile, puts it at two weeks or whenever your shoes are looking grubby, though this is mostly for appearance’s sake. And podiatrist Dr Mohammad Rimawi shared with TODAY that “if you’re wearing [the same] shoes every day for the gym, for work... You may find that you need to clean your shoes...every two to four weeks.”Basically, the general consensus is about once a fortnight for heavy-wear, sweat-exposed shoes. Even less-worn pairs need more cleaning than I currently commit to (read: none). How should I clean my shoes? You’ll have to check your shoes’ care label, as some can be machine-washed and others can’t. But it’s worth noting that shoe manufacturers like Nike often recommend hand-washing instead, because the heat can sometimes deform shoes. Hand-washing your leather or mesh shoes can be done with a dry brush (or toothbrush) and a washing-up liquid and water solution. Use a suede brush for suede shoes. Remove laces if needed and run them through a washing machine cycle in a delicates bag, making sure it’s on a cold setting.You can do this with insoles, too.Good Housekeeping recommends drying both shoes and laces indoors if you possibly can, because this prevents them from distorting under direct sunlight.Related...If You're Not Washing Your Bras This Often, Things Can Go South ... In Many WaysSo THAT's Why You're Meant To Wash Jeans Inside OutThe Washing Machine Temperature A Doctor 'Doesn't See The Point In'

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