- Housekeeping
With the right protocol, cleaning shoes in the washing machine is a safe and convenient way to give certain pairs a refresh.
By
Tessa Cooper
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Tessa Cooper
Tessa Cooper is a freelance writer and photographer who specializes in home decor and lifestyle content. She lives in Missouri in an 1886 Victorian home that she and her husband restored. Her work has been featured in Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, 417 Magazine, 417 Home, and Feast Magazine.
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Published on January 23, 2024
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On the outside, shoes carry loads of bacteria that can spread to other surfaces. Inside, sweat and dirt accumulate and may lead to foul odors. However, washing a pair of shoes for the first time can feel like a gamble, and your favorites that you keep on frequent rotation are often the ones you hesitate to wash the most.
Certain types of shoes can survive a spin in your washing machine without sustaining any damage, but the prep work and machine settings do matter. In this guide, you'll find the step-by-step instructions you need to keep your shoes clean and intact after a washing machine cycle.
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Before Getting Started
In general, we recommend handwashing shoes. Between the time a pair spends soaking and spinning in a machine, its glue can start to dissolve, and the fabric may start to fray. However, handwashing isn't always convenient for your everyday pairs that require more frequent cleaning. Most pairs of canvas, cotton, nylon, and even polyester shoes are washing-machine friendly, but it's best to avoid putting leather, suede, or wool shoes in the washing machine altogether.
Your washing machine settings are key to protecting your shoes. Every machine is different, but aim to choose the shortest, gentlest cycle and use the cold water setting. It's best to use liquid detergent to wash shoes since some powder detergents do not dissolve well in cold water.
Placing your shoes in a mesh garment bag adds another layer of protection from surface-level damage for both your shoes and your machine. If your shoes contain removable insoles, always remove and wash them in a separate mesh bag along with your shoe laces. Pure foam insoles are typically safe to put in the washing machine, but other materials may degrade and require handwashing.
Never wash your shoes alongside any delicate pieces of clothing, but keep in mind that a few old towels may help balance the load and provide a nice cushion for your shoes as they tumble. Lastly, when it comes to drying your shoes, skip the machine and let them air dry.
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Equipment / Tools
- Washing machine
Materials
- Liquid laundry detergent
- 2Mesh laundry bags
Instructions
How to Clean Shoes in the Washing Machine
Prep Shoes
Remove laces and insoles and place them together in a mesh garment bag. Place shoes in a separate mesh garment bag and put both bags in the machine. Add in any other durable items you are washing with the shoes, such as beach towels.
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Load Detergent
Pour in the amount of liquid laundry detergent recommended by the manufacturer. For small loads, regular-concentrated formulas only require about one tablespoon. Skip fabric softener, which can lead to residue build-up on shoes.
Select Washing Machine Settings
Choose the delicate cycle setting. If your machine does not have a delicate setting, opt for the shortest cycle with a slow or no spin. Select the coldest water temperature available and hit start.
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Air Dry Shoes
Take out the garment bags from the washing machine when the cycle is complete. Remove the shoes, laces, and inserts and place them on a towel in a warm, dry area. Placing them near a heating vent, radiator, or sunny window can speed up the dry time. Allow them to dry completely before wearing or storing them.
How Often to Wash Your Shoes
In general, aim to wash your shoes about once every 30 wears. So, if you wear the same pairs of shoes nearly every day, this means you should wash them about once a month. During colder seasons, when your feet sweat less, you might be able to extend this number to more wears.
However, it's also important not to over-wash your shoes. Even shoes marketed as machine washable can start to show some wear and tear with frequent washes. If you take off your shoes before you enter your home, the spread of dirt and bacteria will be less of an issue. In this case, you can get by with washing your shoes on an as-needed basis when you notice any smells or dirt build-up. You can also spot-clean your shoes with gentle soap between washes.
