Someone along the way said you could wash them in the kitchen sink with a drop of dishwashing liquid - I've done that and run them through the washer in jeans pockets - both worked. In the lessons learned category, after I washed them in the sink I laid them out on a formica countertop to dry, unwisely without a towel under them. Next morning I had 8 or 10 (however many there are) little rectangle stains on the countertop. Thought I was dead meat after trying 4 or 5 cleaners and nothing would get the stain out - finally used bleach and was able to relax. I'm sure you get the moral of the story...