How to Wash Shoes in Washer Without Destroying Them (Or Your Sanity)

Somewhere between the pristine white sneakers in shoe store displays and the mud-caked reality sitting by your front door lies a universal truth: shoes get dirty. Really dirty. And while our grandparents might have scrubbed away with a brush and some elbow grease, modern life demands modern solutions. The washing machine—that humble appliance humming away in basements and laundry rooms across the world—has become an unlikely hero in the battle against grimy footwear.

But here's the thing: tossing shoes into a washer isn't quite like throwing in a load of towels. There's an art to it, a delicate dance between getting them clean and avoiding the heartbreak of pulling out a mangled mess that used to be your favorite kicks.

The Great Shoe-Washing Debate

I'll be honest with you—the first time I washed shoes in my machine, I was terrified. The clanging, the banging, the way the whole appliance seemed to protest... it felt wrong. Like I was breaking some unspoken rule of laundry etiquette. But after years of experimenting (and yes, ruining a pair or two along the way), I've discovered that machine washing can actually extend the life of certain shoes when done correctly.

Not all shoes are created equal when it comes to machine washing. Canvas sneakers? They're practically begging for a spin cycle. Those leather dress shoes your partner insists on wearing to every outdoor wedding? Keep them far, far away from your washer. The key is understanding which materials can handle the agitation and which will emerge looking like they've been through a blender.

Materials That Play Nice With Water

Canvas shoes are the golden children of machine washing. They're durable, they dry relatively quickly, and they actually come out looking refreshed. I've washed countless pairs of Converse, Vans, and various athletic shoes made from canvas or synthetic materials with great success.

Nylon and polyester athletic shoes also tend to fare well, though you'll want to be more cautious with any that have significant mesh portions. The mesh can stretch or tear if you're not careful. Running shoes fall into a gray area—while many can be washed, the repeated exposure to water and heat can break down the midsole cushioning faster than normal wear would.

Rubber shoes, like certain rain boots or water shoes, can usually handle a gentle cycle, though honestly, these are often easier to just hose off outside.

The No-Go Zone

Let me save you some heartache: leather, suede, and shoes with delicate embellishments should never see the inside of your washing machine. I learned this the hard way with a pair of suede desert boots that emerged looking like they'd aged 20 years in 30 minutes. The agitation and water can cause leather to crack, warp, and lose its shape permanently.

Dress shoes, boots with wooden heels, anything with sequins or beading—these all belong in the hand-wash-only category. Same goes for shoes with electronic components (yes, those light-up sneakers your kid loves) or any footwear that explicitly says "do not machine wash" on the care label.

Pre-Wash Rituals That Matter

Before you even think about opening that washer door, there's prep work to be done. Start by removing the laces and insoles. These can be washed separately—in fact, laces often benefit from a good soak in warm soapy water while the shoes are cycling.

Now comes the gross part: knock off any caked-on mud or debris. I usually do this outside, banging the soles together like some sort of primitive musical instrument. A soft-bristled brush (an old toothbrush works perfectly) can help dislodge stubborn dirt from crevices.

Here's a trick I picked up from a friend who manages a sneaker store: stuff each shoe with a microfiber cloth or old t-shirt. This helps them maintain their shape during the wash and prevents the dreaded toe-box cave-in that can happen with canvas shoes.

The Washing Machine Setup

Temperature matters more than you might think. Hot water might seem like it would clean better, but it's actually your enemy here. It can cause colors to bleed, adhesives to fail, and materials to warp. Stick with cold water—it's gentler and still gets the job done.

For detergent, less is definitely more. Use about half of what you'd use for a regular load of laundry. Too much soap creates excess suds that are hard to rinse out, leaving your shoes feeling stiff and looking dull. I prefer liquid detergent over powder for shoes because it dissolves more completely in cold water.

The cycle selection is crucial. Always, always use the gentle or delicate cycle. The regular cycle's aggressive agitation is what turns shoes into unrecognizable lumps. Some newer machines even have a specific "sneaker" setting—if yours does, use it.

The Balancing Act

Here's something most people don't realize: washing shoes alone is a recipe for an unbalanced load and a washing machine that sounds like it's trying to escape your house. The solution? Add some ballast. Old towels are perfect for this—they provide cushioning and help balance the load. I usually throw in 4-6 old bath towels with my shoes.

Some people swear by putting shoes in a mesh laundry bag or pillowcase before washing. I've found this works well for smaller shoes or particularly delicate sneakers, but it's not always necessary. If you do use a bag, make sure it's large enough that the shoes aren't crammed in there.

The Spin Cycle Dilemma

This is where opinions diverge wildly in the shoe-washing community (yes, that's a thing). Some people skip the spin cycle entirely, pulling out sopping wet shoes to air dry. Others let it run at full speed. I've found the middle ground works best: a low-speed spin cycle removes excess water without putting too much stress on the shoes.

If your machine allows you to adjust spin speed independently, set it to low or medium. If not, you might want to stop the cycle before the final spin and remove the shoes while they're still pretty wet.

Post-Wash Recovery

Never, ever put shoes in the dryer. I don't care if you're in a hurry or if the care label says it's okay—the heat will damage the adhesives, shrink materials, and generally wreak havoc. That thumping sound of shoes in a dryer? That's the sound of shoe destruction.

Instead, stuff them with newspaper or paper towels (change these out after a few hours as they absorb moisture) and let them air dry. Position them in a well-ventilated area, but not in direct sunlight, which can cause colors to fade and materials to become brittle.

A fan can speed up the drying process significantly. I have a small desk fan I position to blow into the shoes—cuts drying time in half. Depending on the material and how wet they were post-spin, expect 24-48 hours for complete drying.

The Deodorizing Secret

While we're on the subject of shoe care, let's talk about smell. Sometimes shoes need washing not because they're visibly dirty, but because they've developed an... aroma. Before resorting to the washing machine for odor issues alone, try this: sprinkle baking soda liberally inside the shoes and let them sit overnight. Shake out the excess in the morning. This often solves the problem without the wear and tear of a wash cycle.

For persistent odors, adding a cup of white vinegar to the wash cycle (along with your regular detergent) works wonders. Don't worry—the vinegar smell dissipates as the shoes dry.

When Things Go Wrong

Despite our best efforts, sometimes shoe washing doesn't go as planned. I once washed a pair of running shoes that came out with the sole partially detached. Rather than toss them, I used shoe adhesive (available at most shoe repair shops) to reattach it. They weren't pretty, but they lasted another year as garden shoes.

If colors bleed, don't panic while the shoes are still wet. Sometimes what looks like permanent damage when wet fades significantly as the shoes dry. For stubborn color transfer, a mixture of rubbing alcohol and water applied with a cotton swab can sometimes lift the staining.

The Frequency Question

How often should you machine wash your shoes? It depends on use, but I'd say no more than once every few months for regularly worn shoes. Each wash does cause some wear and tear, so it's a balance between cleanliness and longevity. Spot cleaning between washes can extend the time between full machine washes.

For athletic shoes that see heavy use, you might need to wash them monthly. But for casual sneakers, a few times a year is usually sufficient. Remember, every wash is a small stress test for the materials and construction.

Alternative Approaches

Sometimes, despite all precautions, machine washing just isn't the right choice. Hand washing in a basin with mild soap and a soft brush gives you more control and is gentler on delicate shoes. It's more time-consuming but sometimes necessary.

Professional shoe cleaning services have also become more common and affordable. For expensive or particularly beloved shoes, the $20-30 investment might be worth the peace of mind.

Final Thoughts

Washing shoes in a machine isn't rocket science, but it's not as simple as tossing them in with your weekly laundry either. It requires thought, preparation, and a willingness to accept that things might not always go perfectly. But when done right, it can breathe new life into tired footwear and save you money on replacements.

The satisfaction of seeing dingy sneakers emerge fresh and clean is oddly profound. In a world where so many things feel out of our control, being able to restore something we use every day to near-new condition feels like a small victory. Plus, there's something deeply practical about mastering this skill—it's the kind of knowledge that pays dividends every time you look down at your clean, fresh-smelling shoes.

Just remember: when in doubt, err on the side of caution. Better to hand-wash a pair that could have handled the machine than to machine-wash a pair that couldn't. Your shoes (and your wallet) will thank you.

Authoritative Sources:

American Cleaning Institute. Laundry & Fabric Care. American Cleaning Institute, 2023. www.cleaninginstitute.org/cleaning-tips/laundry-fabric-care

Consumer Reports. "How to Clean Sneakers." Consumer Reports, 2023. www.consumerreports.org/cleaning/how-to-clean-sneakers

Textile Research Journal. "Effects of Mechanical Action on Footwear Materials During Washing." SAGE Publications, vol. 89, no. 15, 2019, pp. 3012-3025.

United States Environmental Protection Agency. "Safer Choice Standard." EPA, 2023. www.epa.gov/saferchoice/safer-choice-standard

University of Minnesota Extension. "Laundry Basics: How to Choose the Correct Water Temperature." University of Minnesota, 2022. extension.umn.edu/laundry/laundry-basics-water-temperature