The Best Way to Clean Shoes in the Washing Machine and by Hand

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A guide to cleaning sneakers, leather or suede dress shoes & more

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Machine-Washing Sneakers

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Hand-Washing Sneakers

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Caring for Dress Shoes

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FAQ

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No matter what kind of lifestyle you lead, your shoes will inevitably get dirty. Luckily, a simple cleaning and toss in the washing machine can remove excess dirt and grime, leaving them looking brand new! In this article, we’ll take you through the process of washing your sneakers step-by-step using the washing machine or your hands. Plus, we talked to shoe specialist Penny Simmons to bring you the best advice and answer your burning questions to ensure your shoes are cleaned damage-free.

How to Wash Shoes Using a Washing Machine

Remove the laces and insoles and brush them clean with soapy water.
Spot clean any stains or scuffs on the shoes with liquid detergent and warm water.
Place the shoes in a mesh bag or pillowcase.
Wash the shoes on a delicate cycle with cold water using liquid detergent (no powder).
Air-dry completely before reassembling and wearing.

Section 1 of 5:

Which shoes can go in the washing machine?

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Shoes made of canvas, nylon, cotton, and polyester can usually go in the washing machine. Shoes made with leather, suede, vinyl, or rubber are not washing machine safe, and placing them in the washing machine could damage the shoe and machine. Most sneakers and slip-on shoes are safe to put in the washing machine; however, it’s always best to check the care label to ensure they’re machine washable. Look on the inside of the shoe’s tough or sole for washing instructions.^{[1]XResearch source}

Section 2 of 5:

Machine-Washing Sneakers

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1
Remove the laces and insoles. You will want to wash your shoes, laces, and insoles separately to help cut down the drying time later.^{[2]XResearch source}
- You can wash your laces with your shoes in the washing machine, but doing so with your insoles will leave them water-logged for days.
2
Clean your laces. If your laces are really dirty, you may want to buy new ones, but you can always try cleaning them by scrubbing them with a soapy brush or putting them in the washing machine with your shoes (keeping them unlaced). Then, allow them to air dry completely before putting them on your shoes again.
- Another way to clean your laces is to simply put or pin them inside a pillowcase, or tie their ends together, and throw them in the washer. This will keep them from getting stuck in the washer's drainage holes.
3
Clean and deodorize your insoles. Using a slightly soapy mixture of liquid detergent and warm water, gently scrub your insoles with a soft brush or rag. Then, soak up any excess soapy water with a sponge and let them air dry completely before placing them back in your shoes.
- If your insoles smell, enclose them in a bag with baking soda, shake them around, and let them sit out overnight.
- For an even deeper clean, soak the insoles in a 2:1 mixture of vinegar and water for a few hours. Then, let them air dry.
4
Clean excess debris and stubborn marks from your shoes. To clean mud or dirt from the shoes, use a dry toothbrush or a soft brush (like a shoe brush) to brush away any debris. Clean other marks on plastic parts of the shoe using a brush with warm water and/or cream cleaner on a cloth or paper towel.^{[3]XResearch source}
- If a brush doesn't clean all the nooks and crannies, try using a toothpick or cotton swab.
5
Put your shoes inside a mesh bag. If you don’t have a mesh laundry bag, a pillowcase is a great substitute. This ensures that your shoes won’t scuff up your machine.^{[4]XResearch source}
- To wash your laces in the washing machine at the same time, tie the ends together and put them inside the pillowcase with your shoes.
6
Place the mesh bag inside the washing machine with 1 or 2 towels. The towels add an extra layer of protection and cushion to prevent the shoes from banging around, which could damage the machine or your shoes.^{[5]XResearch source}
- Make sure the towels are old, as newer towels could have lint or dye that might stain your sneakers.
Powdered detergent can get stuck in your shoes, so use liquid detergent when washing sneakers. You can also add some vinegar along with the detergent for extra odor and disinfecting fighting power.
Set your washing machine to a delicate setting with a cold temperature, slow or no spin, and no tumble drying. Warm temperatures can warp your sneakers, and the fast spin or tumble dry setting can damage your shoes or washing machine.^{[6]XResearch source}
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Remove and air-dry your shoes. Once the washing machine has stopped, remove your shoes from the mesh bag and set them aside to air dry. Putting them in the dryer isn’t ideal, as the dryer can warp the soles of your shoes.^{[7]XResearch source}
- Stuffing your shoes with paper towels or newspapers can help them dry faster and maintain their shape.
- Place your shoes (and laces and insoles) in a moderately lit place to dry. Do not put them somewhere hot (like near a radiator) or in direct sunlight, as this may damage the shoes.
- Your shoes may not dry completely for several hours or even a couple of days, so plan ahead.
Once your sneakers are completely dry, replace the insoles, re-lace your shoes, and slip them on. Wear them as you normally would, then rewash them whenever they get too smelly or dirty.

Section 3 of 5:

Hand-Washing Sneakers

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1
Remove and clean the laces. Un-lace your shoes and, with a soapy brush, scrub them on a washboard or draining board. Then, allow them to air dry completely before re-lacing them into your shoes.^{[8]XResearch source}
- If your laces are really dirty, you may need to buy new ones.
With a slightly soapy mixture of warm water and liquid detergent, gently scrub your insoles with a soft brush or rag. Then, soak up any leftover soapy water with a sponge and allow them to air dry completely before placing them back in your shoes.^{[9]XResearch source}
3
Remove excess dirt. With a soft-bristle brush, such as a shoe brush or toothbrush, scrub away the excess debris on the outside of your shoes. You may need to use a toothpick or cotton swab to get in those hard-to-reach places.^{[10]XResearch source}
- For stubborn scuffs and marks, try using a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.
While many shoe-cleaning solutions are on the market, a simple mixture of warm water and liquid detergent can work wonders. In a bowl or shallow dish, combine 2 parts of water to 1 part detergent and stir until foamy.^{[11]XResearch source}
5
Scrub your shoes with a mixture of warm water and liquid detergent. While there are shoe-cleaning solutions on the market, a simple mixture of warm water and a little liquid detergent does wonders to clean shoes at a fraction of the cost. Apply a little cleaning solution to a sponge, soft cloth, or brush and scrub the outside of the shoes. This may require some effort and a few attempts, depending on the state of your shoes.^{[12]XResearch source}
- For tougher-stained areas, let the cleaning solution sit on the stain for a few minutes, then scrub it away.^{[13]XResearch source}
- Shoe specialist Penny Simmons recommends scrubbing down the rubber parts of the shoe with a toothbrush.^{[14]XExpert SourcePenny Simmons
  Shoe Care SpecialistExpert Interview. 19 November 2020.}
6
Air-dry your shoes. Place your shoes (plus the laces and insoles) in a moderately lit place at room temperature to air dry. Do not put them somewhere hot or in direct sunlight, which may damage the shoes.^{[15]XResearch source}
- If your shoes still have soap or cleaning solution after scrubbing them, use a sponge or cloth to soak up the remaining liquid and suds to help them dry faster.

Section 4 of 5:

Caring for Dress Shoes

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1
Deodorize dress shoes with baking soda or coffee grounds. Take baking soda, coffee grounds, or a kitty litter product and sprinkle it directly inside your dress shoes. Allow the product to sit in the shoes when you're not wearing them to keep odors at bay. Simply shake out your dress shoes over a trash can to remove the product before putting them on.
- Another, neater method of odor removal is to put the product in a sachet and to place the sachet in your shoe. You can create your own sachet using a pair of pantyhose: put your chosen product inside and tie it closed.
- Similarly, you can also stuff a bar of soap or dryer sheet inside the shoe until you wear it again.^{[16]XResearch source}
2
Clean leather dress shoes with soap and polish. If worn daily, leather should be cleaned 2 to 3 times a week by using a soft cloth and a slightly soapy mixture. After washing, apply polish (preferably a natural polish or wax) and rub in with a soft cloth until the desired polish effect is reached.^{[17]XResearch source}
- Simmons advises against putting leather shoes in the washing machine as it’ll likely damage them.^{[18]XExpert SourcePenny Simmons
  Shoe Care SpecialistExpert Interview. 19 November 2020.}
3
Brush suede dress shoes clean. If worn daily, suede should be cleaned 2 to 3 times a week by using a suede brush to sweep away dirt and stains. Simply brush your shoes after you wear them to keep them nice and tidy.^{[19]XResearch source}
- Always spray suede protector on new suede shoes and after every time you clean them, as this will make them more resilient to stains and will make it easier to clean in the future.
- Simmons explains that you should never put suede shoes in the washing machine as it’ll very likely damage the fabric.^{[20]XExpert SourcePenny Simmons
  Shoe Care SpecialistExpert Interview. 19 November 2020.}

Section 5 of 5:

FAQ

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1
How can I wash my shoes without ruining them? You can wash most shoes and sneakers in the washing machine without ruining them, as long as you take the directions listed in the first section of this article. However, shoe specialist Simmons advises against washing anything but sneakers and shoes made with rubber fabric in the washing machine, as they will likely be damaged.^{[21]XExpert SourcePenny Simmons
Shoe Care SpecialistExpert Interview. 19 November 2020.}
- Simmons recommends always checking the label of your shoe before washing it in a machine or by hand. The label will indicate which washing method is best.^{[22]XExpert SourcePenny Simmons
  Shoe Care SpecialistExpert Interview. 19 November 2020.}
2
Will shoes break the washing machine? Shoes are less likely to cause any damage to your washing machine if you put them in a mesh bag or pillowcase before washing them.^{[23]XResearch source} Use a cold, gentle cycle along with the bag, and there won’t be as much forceful tumbling.
3
Do shoes shrink in the washing machine? It’s possible that your shoes could shrink in the washing machine, which is why it’s incredibly important to read the label on your shoes before washing them. Shoes are most likely to shrink when washed in hot water, so always use a cold, gentle cycle to prevent this.^{[24]XResearch source}
4
Can I put sneakers in the washing machine with clothes? It’s best to wash your shoes with a few towels or old clothes, but avoid putting in a full load. The tumbling shoes could damage delicate or large batches of clothing. So, the less items, the better.^{[25]XResearch source}
5
What setting should I use to wash shoes in the washing machine? Always use a gentle, cold water cycle when washing shoes in the washing machine. Opt for a slow or no-spin cycle as well to prevent damage.^{[26]XResearch source}
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Can you put shoes in a dryer? It’s not advised to put your shoes in the drier as the hot heat could cause them to melt or shrink.^{[27]XResearch source} However, if you’re in a rush and need to dry them quickly, wrap the shoes in a towel and set the dryer to delicate. Then, check periodically to make sure the shoes are not getting too warm. If they are, take them out immediately.
7
How often should you clean your shoes? How often you clean your shoes depends on how often you wear them. Experts recommend washing or cleaning them every 2 to 4 weeks or once they start smelling or looking dirty.^{[28]XResearch source}
8
Is it better to wash shoes in a washing machine or dishwasher? It’s best to wash your shoes in a washing machine, not a dishwasher. The internet can be full of crazy ideas, including putting sneakers in the dishwasher. Washing machines are designed to wash fabrics, providing multiple adjustable settings. While it may be possible to wash shoes in a dishwasher, it’s best to stick to the washing machine to prevent damage.

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Can I wash my runners using the same process as I wash my clothes?
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Not if they have any natural materials, as laundry powders and liquids are generally alkaline in nature, which can cause damage to some materials. Check the material of the runners before washing.
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I have caulk on my leather shoes. How can I wash it off?
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Figure out what the caulk is made of on the label and match it with the corresponding solvent. You should be able to find this from where you bought the caulk if you don't have the packaging still.
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My sneakers are made of natural materials. Can I still wash them by soaking them in water and detergent?
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Yes, just make sure you are careful so you don't damage the material. Also make sure you have the correct brush for the material.
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If the shoes are expensive or delicate, it may be best to hand wash them or take them to a professional cleaner.
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Because of the risk of damaging shoes in a washing machine, it may be best to wash them no more than once a year or if they get very dirty.
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