Thinking about refreshing your sneakers without a trip to the cleaners, saving time and money and avoiding harsh chemicals? This guide shows you step by step how to wash shoes on washing machine safely and effectively, with practical tips for every common material. You’ll learn practical prep steps, recommended cycle settings, and drying tips that help preserve shape, color, and cushioning.
First, check the shoe type and care label to confirm it can tolerate machine washing. Remove laces, insoles, and any detachable components for a thorough clean. Place shoes in a sturdy mesh bag to prevent tangling and to cushion delicate fabrics.
Use a gentle cycle with cold water and a small amount of mild detergent. Avoid heavy loads and skip bleach to reduce wear and color fading. Always test a small hidden area if you’re unsure before washing.
Air dry away from direct heat until completely dry for best results. This helps prevent warping, keeps soles grippy, and preserves fabric integrity. Also avoid tumble drying or direct heat to protect materials.
Preparation and Assessment
Identify Shoe Type and Machine Compatibility
Not all shoes tolerate machine washing. Before you dive in, identify the shoe type and read any manufacturer guidance on care. Materials, glues, and structural elements like arch support or foam midsoles can determine whether a machine wash is safe.
Canvas, mesh, and some synthetics are generally more forgiving than leather, suede, or shoes with glued components. If you see a care label, follow it; when you don’t, rely on best practices for the material instead. If you notice any delamination or cracking on the outsole, stop and pursue hand cleaning instead.
When in doubt, perform a spot test on a small, inconspicuous area using a mild detergent solution. If color bleeding, surface peeling, or glue loosening occurs, do not proceed with machine washing. Document your findings so you don’t risk full-shoe damage.
Pre-Clean and Pre-Treat
Remove loose dirt and debris by tapping the shoes together and brushing with a soft brush. This step minimizes the amount of grit the machine has to agitate, reducing potential abrasions.
Treat stains thoughtfully: apply a small amount of mild detergent or a stain-removing solution to stained areas and gently work it in with a soft brush. Let the solution sit for 5–15 minutes, depending on the severity of the stain, but do not allow it to dry completely.
For white soles and stubborn marks, consider a baking soda paste or a dedicated sneaker cleaner as a pre-treatment. Rinse or wipe away the residue after a short dwell time to prevent foaming inside the washer.
Protecting Gear and Contents
How to Prepare the Washer (empty Pockets, Etc.)
Clear the washer drum of any items that could puncture or tangle footwear. Loose change, keys, and jewelry should be removed to avoid scratches or damage to the drum and shoes.
Balance the load to prevent the machine from bouncing or vibrating excessively. Place towels or other soft items in with the shoes to optimize weight distribution and protect both the drum and footwear.
Ensure the drum is clean and free of detergent residue that could transfer to the shoes. A quick wipe with a damp cloth beforehand can help maintain hygiene and prevent smudges on the shoes.
Laces, Insoles, and Odor Management
Remove laces from all shoes and wash them separately in a mesh bag or with other lightweight items to prevent tangling. Laces can be washed on a gentle cycle using cold water and a small amount of detergent. (See Also: What Shoes to Wear with a Formal Dress: Style Guide)
Take out insoles if possible and wash or deodorize them by hand; machine washing insoles can cause them to lose shape. If you must machine wash insoles, place them in a mesh bag and use a short, cold-cycle wash to minimize distortion.
To manage odors, consider a pre-wash deodorizing step with baking soda or a commercial sneaker deodorizer. Allow the shoes to air out after washing and before reinserting any insoles or laces.
Washing Machine Settings and Load Management
Cycle Selection and Temperature
Choose a delicate or gentle cycle for most sneakers to reduce agitation and preserve glue and structural elements. Cold or lukewarm water is typically best to minimize color fade and material damage.
Avoid hot water unless the care label explicitly recommends it; heat can soften adhesives, warp shapes, and accelerate wear. If odor is a major issue, a short pre-wash or rinse can help, followed by a standard gentle cycle.
For shoes with heavy soils, you can extend the wash time modestly, but do not exceed the manufacturer’s guidance. The goal is thorough cleaning without compromising the shoe’s integrity.
Load Distribution and Spin
Place the shoes in pairs and ensure they face in opposite directions to balance the load. Balanced placement reduces drum stress and minimizes banging sounds during spinning.
Avoid overloading the machine; give shoes room to move so the detergent can reach all surfaces. If the load feels lopsided, add a couple of towels to stabilize the drum and dampen movement.
Set a lower to medium spin speed to reduce the risk of warping or sole separation. A gentler spin also helps with quicker drying and minimizes water absorption that can stretch delicate materials.
Material-Specific Cleaning Techniques
Canvas and Fabrics
Canvas and most fabric uppers respond well to gentle washing with a mild liquid detergent. Use cold water and let the machine do the work without aggressive scrubbing inside the drum.
Avoid chlorine bleach on colored fabrics as it can cause fading or color bleeding; if whitening is needed, use a color-safe alternative and test first on a small area. For white canvas, a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution can be an option, but only if the label permits it and a test is clear.
After washing, remove excess water by gently pressing (do not wring) and place the shoes in a ventilated area to dry. Keep the shoes away from direct, intense heat to prevent warped shapes and glued areas from weakening.
Leather and Suede
Leather requires caution; machine washing can dry out, stiffen, or crack leather surfaces and compromise padding. If leather shoes are your only option, use a dedicated leather-cleaning product and a short, cool wash cycle in a garment bag to minimize exposure to agitation.
If leather is unavoidable in the machine-washable category, after washing apply a leather conditioner once the shoes are dry to restore some suppleness. Avoid applying conditioner while leather is still wet to prevent trapping moisture inside the material. (See Also: What Is the Mmhg in Compression Socks? Explained)
Suede should almost never be machine washed; the water will ruin its texture and lift the nap. For suede, stick to dry methods and specialized suede cleaners, or a careful spot-clean with a brush and minimal moisture when needed, followed by drying in a well-ventilated area.
Detergents, Additives, and Tools
Detergent Choices
Use a mild, liquid detergent that is free of perfumes and dyes to reduce irritation and residue buildup. Powder detergents can clump in the rinse cycle and leave deposits on fabrics, especially in crevices and soles.
Follow the recommended dose on the detergent bottle; too much detergent can lead to excess suds and longer rinse cycles, which increases water use and drying time. If you have sensitive skin or are washing shoes for a child, choose a hypoallergenic option.
Avoid bleach, optical brighteners, and harsh solvents that can degrade materials, adhesives, or colors. For white sneakers, a safe whitening approach is to combine a mild cleaner with a gentle brushing rather than chemical bleaching.
Additives and Cleaning Aids
White vinegar is a common deodorizer; use a small amount (about 1/2 cup) in the rinse water to neutralize odors without leaving residue. Vinegar should be used sparingly to prevent potential scent transfer to the shoes.
Baking soda can help with persistent odors when used in the wash or when air-drying; place a tablespoon inside each shoe or add to the rinse. Use baking soda in moderation to avoid any gritty texture that might irritate feet after wearing.
Tools such as soft-bristled brushes, microfiber cloths, and mesh laundry bags protect surfaces and keep small parts from becoming loose during washing. A dedicated sneaker cleaning kit with a gentle brush and a mild cleaner can improve results and reduce damage risk.
Drying and Post-Wash Care
Drying Methods
Air-drying is the safest method for most shoes, preserving shape and eliminating heat-related risks. Place shoes in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight and heat sources to avoid warping and glue failure.
To help shoes hold their form, stuff them with crumpled newspaper or paper towels while drying. Replacing the stuffing as it becomes damp accelerates drying and keeps the toe box from collapsing under its own weight.
If you need to speed up drying, use a fan or a low-heat setting in a controlled environment, not a heat gun or radiator. Avoid tumble drying unless the shoe care label explicitly permits it, as heat can warp materials and loosen adhesives.
Shaping and Odor Control
After washing, reshape the shoes by using forms or stuffing to maintain their structure as they dry. This helps prevent creases and helps them dry evenly.
Odor control continues after washing: sprinkle a light amount of baking soda inside the shoes before storage and ventilate the area to keep moisture from lingering. Ensure they are completely dry before reusing or storing to prevent mold and mildew growth.
Common Pitfalls and Troubleshooting
Shrinkage, Color Fade, and Stiffness
Using high heat, hot water, or overly aggressive cycles can shrink fabrics and stiffen materials, especially synthetic uppers and cotton blends. Always follow material-specific guidelines and opt for the gentlest cycle that achieves your cleaning goals. (See Also: How to Clean White Cole Haan Shoes: The Ultimate Guide)
If you notice color fading or stiffness after a wash, avoid further machine washing and dry cleaning in the future; consider hand cleaning and targeted spot treatment instead. Reconditioning leather or synthetic leather with appropriate products can help restore some flexibility after typical wear patterns.
To mitigate these risks, always test care methods on a small, inconspicuous area before applying them to the entire shoe. Keep notes on what works for each model to inform future cleaning decisions.
Noisy Machine and Residue Issues
Unusual noises during the wash often indicate a misbalanced load or items striking the drum; re-balance with towels or remove one shoe and re-sequence the load. If noises persist, stop the cycle and inspect for loose hardware or foreign objects in the drum.
Detergent residue in shoes leads to odor and skin irritation; use the extra rinse option if your machine offers it, and ensure you are not overloading with product. After a wash, perform a quick rinse cycle with no shoes to ensure any residue is flushed from the drum before reusing the machine for other items.
Practical Tips, Alternatives, and Maintenance
Hand Washing as a Preferred Alternative
For delicate materials or high-value sneakers, hand washing with a soft brush and mild soap can provide superior control and reduce risk. Hand cleaning allows targeted work on seams, tongue tags, and delicate upper areas that may not tolerate machine agitation.
If you choose to hand wash, rinse thoroughly and air dry in a shade-protected area to prevent sun-related fading. Hand washing can also be more economical in water usage when cleaning a small number of items because you’re not running a full cycle.
Document the results of hand washing trials for future reference so you know when to use or avoid this method. A simple routine can extend the life of shoes with materials prone to damage in a machine wash.
Maintenance and Storage
Regularly inspect shoes for loose stitching, glue separation, or outsole wear, especially after machine cleaning. Early detection allows you to address issues with targeted repairs rather than risking larger failures during use.
Store shoes in a dry, well-ventilated area; avoid stacking or compressing them for long periods. Proper storage helps maintain shape and prevents odor buildup, especially in humid environments or shared living spaces.
Develop a simple cleaning cadence: spot-clean weekly, wash every 4–8 weeks for frequently worn sneakers, and tailor this to your climate and activity level. A consistent routine reduces the chance of dirt embedding and simplifies future cleaning sessions.
Conclusion
Washing shoes in a washing machine can be effective when approached with care, discipline, and material-aware decisions. By identifying the shoe type, preparing properly, selecting suitable cycles, and following up with careful drying and storage, you can extend the life of many everyday shoes while keeping them looking fresh. Remember that some materials demand hand-cleaning or professional care, and when in doubt, err on the side of gentleness.
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