Has anyone washed Stride Rite leather sneakers?

[hudsonam]

My DS loves water, and he decided to walk over and plop himself down in some big thing of water at daycare yesterday that one of the other rooms was playing with outside and now his sneakers are wet, AND covered in sand from walking around the sandy parts of the playground. These are his only sneakers that fit right now, and he goes back tomorrow and can't wear open toe, so no sandals. I've put leather sneakers in the washing machine before, but I just want to see if anyone's done it with Stride Rites, and what the outcome was. I can't even just throw them in the dryer because they're covered in wet sand. :(

[cbm]

I have never washed SR, but I don't see why they would be any different than adult shoes.
If it is just sand, perhaps you can put them in the sink with water and rinse them off by hand. As far as drying, either out in the sun during the day, or in the dryer with some towels should work.

Claudia
DS 12/18/04

[hudsonam]

I guess that would work (rinsing them off). Thanks for the tip!

[SummerBaby]

I've washed and dried my DD"s leather Stride Rites and Jumping Jacks several times and they've come out looking great!

Val
Mom to Madeline
7/28/04

[Globetrotter]

I do it all the time, but I do put them in a lingerie bag.
It's best to wipe off any major stuff first, or it'll just fall out (in dried form) when you remove them from the dryer!

Kris

[daisymommy]

I replied to your post in the Layette section :)

[almostamom]

Should I really admit this? I wash DS' SR leather sneakers every time he wears them. He still crawls a bit and I can't stand the toes to look so dirty. I just use some Dawn and a small brush at the kitchen sink. It really only takes a minute or two. Now, my sneakers - that's a whole different story. ;)
~Linda~
http://lilypie.com/pic/060427/fDdc.jpg http://b2.lilypie.com/qW3mm7.png

[Katia]

Yep, I've done it many, many times and they've always turned out fine. It's almost like having a brand new pair of shoes!

Katia
DS 2003

[cmdunn1972]

I'm glad you asked this. I recently bought lily-white SR sneakers, and DS is an active toddler who attracts dirt like ants to a picnic. :) I'm sure you can imagine the inevitable result! So, I'm happily reading others' responses to your question. :)

[mudder17]

Yes, Kaya chose the white Canvas shoes (looks kind of like Mary Janes). Can I toss those in the wash?


Eileen

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33734.gif 28 months...
http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/t/catcatcvi20040222_-6_Kaya+is.png
http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/p/dev317pp___.png
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33732.gif for Leah

[cmdunn1972]

I'm not 100% sure, but I would think canvas is easier to care for than leather, and it appears that others have tossed SR leather shoes in the wash. :) I don't see why not!

Btw, are there washing instructions on the label? That might help answer the question if there are. :)

ETA: I've washed the rubber toes on DS's canvas Gap sneakers with one of those Magic Eraser pads, and they turned out incredibly white! (One more reason to love those pads.) I use the 3M Scotch Brite brand, though, since it's a little cheaper.

[hudsonam]

Thanks everyone! It's great to know I can wash them if I need to. :)