You stare at your once-white sneakers, now a canvas of dirt, grass stains, and mystery scuffs. The thought of hand-scrubbing them feels like a chore. So you wonder, can I just throw these in the washer? The short answer is often yes, but doing it wrong is a fast track to ruined shoes. I learned this the hard way years ago when a favorite pair of running shoes came out of the wash looking clean but feeling like cardboard, their cushioning completely flattened. That mistake taught me more than any manual ever could.wash shoes in washing machine

Throwing shoes in the washer isn't a reckless act—it's a precise method. This guide cuts through the common online advice and gives you the nuanced, step-by-step process that actually works, preserving your shoes' look, comfort, and structure.

What You'll Learn

The Non-Negotiable Pre-Wash Checklist

Skip these steps, and you're gambling with your shoes. This isn't just about removing laces.how to clean sneakers in washer

1. The Diagnosis: Can This Shoe Even Handle It?

Not all shoes are created equal. Leather dress shoes, suede, anything with glued-on elaborate decorations or a wooden sole? Forget it. The washer will destroy them. We're talking primarily about modern athletic sneakers, canvas shoes (like Converse or Vans), and some mesh trainers. If the shoe is mostly synthetic materials and fabric, you're in the clear. When in doubt, check the manufacturer's care tag. If it says "do not machine wash," believe it.

2. The Deep Clean Before the Clean

Don't just toss them in. Knock off any caked-on mud or dirt outside. Use an old toothbrush to scrub off obvious, thick grime from the soles and sides. This prevents your washer from becoming a mud bath and clogging the drain. I spend a solid two minutes doing this—it makes a huge difference in the final result and your machine's health.

Pro Tip Most Guides Miss: Remove the insoles and laces separately. Wash laces in a small mesh bag or tied inside a pillowcase. Hand-wash insoles with a bit of soap and water. Putting them through the machine's agitation can warp insoles and tangle laces around the drum, potentially causing imbalance.

3. The Load Balancer

This is critical for your washer's health. Never wash just one shoe. The unbalanced load can make the machine shake violently (the "walking washer" phenomenon) and damage its suspension. Always wash at least two pairs together. No second pair? Add 2-3 old towels. They act as buffers, cushioning the shoes and preventing them from banging against the drum, which is the main cause of physical damage.machine washable shoes

Dialing In: Perfect Washer Settings & Cycle

This is where you win or lose. The default "Normal" cycle is your enemy.

Setting Recommendation Why It Matters
Water Temperature Cold Water Only Hot water can weaken adhesives (glue holding the sole on), cause colors to bleed, and shrink certain fabrics. Cold is always safe.
Cycle Type Gentle/Delicate Cycle Minimizes aggressive agitation and spinning. The normal cycle is too rough and can deform the shoe's shape.
Spin Speed Low or No Spin A high-speed spin forces water deep into the materials and can misshape the upper. If you can't select no-spin, low is mandatory.
Detergent Mild Liquid Detergent Powder detergent may not fully dissolve and can leave residues. Avoid bleach or fabric softener—they degrade materials. A small amount (half the usual dose) is plenty.

I see people make the spin speed mistake all the time. They think a stronger spin gets them drier shoes, but it just beats the life out of the foam and fabric. The Good Housekeeping Institute also consistently recommends cold, gentle cycles for washing shoes, backing up this approach.

wash shoes in washing machineSet it, forget it, and let the machine do its gentle work.

The Critical Drying Phase: Air vs. Heat

Your shoes are clean. Now, the single most important rule: Never, ever put shoes in the dryer. The intense, direct heat is a death sentence. It melts glues, shrinks materials, warps soles, and ruins cushioning. I don't care how impatient you are.

The Right Way to Air Dry

First, stuff the shoes with crumpled white paper (newspaper can bleed ink) or clean, dry towels. This absorbs internal moisture and helps the shoe retain its shape as it dries. Don't pack them tight, just enough to fill the space.

Place them in a well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight or heat sources like radiators. A fan pointed in their direction speeds up the process significantly. If possible, remove the paper stuffing after a few hours and replace it with dry material.how to clean sneakers in washer

My Go-To Trick: After the initial towel stuffing, I lay the shoes on their side. After a few hours, I flip them to the other side. This prevents water from pooling in the toe box and ensures even drying. Expect them to take 24-48 hours to dry completely. Patience is part of the process.

Shoe-by-Shoe Guide: What You Can & Cannot Machine Wash

Let's get specific. This isn't a one-size-fits-all situation.

Generally SAFE for Machine Washing (on Gentle/Cold):

  • Canvas Sneakers: Converse, Vans, Superga. They're often made for this. Remove the laces, and they usually come out great.
  • Modern Running Shoes: Nike, Adidas, Brooks, etc., with mesh uppers and synthetic overlays. The structure is designed to be resilient.
  • Machine-Washable Slip-ons: Some brands like Allbirds or Rothy's are explicitly designed for it. Follow their specific instructions.
  • Basic Fabric Slides & Sandals: Simple polyester or fabric styles with no leather components.

Generally UNSAFE for Machine Washing:

  • Leather Shoes (any kind): Dress shoes, boots, leather sneakers. Water ruins the finish and shape.
  • Suede or Nubuck Shoes: Water creates permanent stains and discoloration.
  • Shoes with Extensive Gluing: Like platform soles or complex designs. Agitation can separate the sole.
  • Shoes with Electronics: LED lights, etc. Obviously.
  • Old, Fragile Shoes: If they're already falling apart, the washer will finish the job.

A study highlighted by Sneaker Science resources indicates that repeated machine washing, even done correctly, can gradually break down the midsole foam (EVA, polyurethane) faster than normal wear. It's a trade-off for deep cleaning. So, don't make it a weekly habit.machine washable shoes

Your Machine Washing Questions, Answered

My shoes came out of the wash looking clean but feeling stiff. What happened?
That stiffness is often caused by detergent residue or minerals from hard water settling in the fabric. It can also happen if the shoes weren't rinsed thoroughly during the cycle. Next time, use half the detergent and add an extra rinse cycle if your machine has the option. For the stiff shoes now, try rinsing them by hand under cool water to flush out residues, then re-dry with the stuffing method.
Can I wash shoes with clothes to save time and balance the load?
I strongly advise against it. Shoes can pick up lint and debris from clothes, and the hard soles can damage more delicate fabrics. The zippers and hooks on clothes can also scratch your shoes. The towel method is a much cleaner, safer alternative for load balancing.
How do I prevent my white shoes from turning yellow after washing?
Yellowing is usually a chemical reaction between leftover soap, water minerals, and sunlight. Ensure you use a minimal amount of detergent and a full, complete rinse cycle. Dry them away from direct sunlight. For existing yellowing, a paste of baking soda and water applied to the affected area before a gentle wash can help lift the stain.
The soles separated from my sneakers after washing. Can I fix this?
This means the adhesive was likely already weak, and the agitation finished it off. You can reglue them with a strong, flexible shoe glue like Shoe Goo. Clean and dry both surfaces thoroughly, apply the glue, clamp or tightly wrap the shoe for 24 hours. Prevention is better: avoid hot water and high-spin cycles, as heat and stress are what break down glue.
Is it okay to use odor-eliminating or disinfecting laundry additives?
Be very cautious. Products like bleach or non-color-safe disinfectants can discolor shoes. A half-cup of white vinegar added to the rinse cycle is a safer, natural odor fighter and disinfectant. For strong athletic odors, sprinkling baking soda inside the shoes before washing can help neutralize smells.