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How to wash shoes in the washing machine
Want to give your favourite shoes a proper clean but worried you’ll damage them? This guide will help you avoid exactly that and get them sparkling again.
Muddy trails on a weekend hike or stepping in a puddle you definitely didn’t see coming, our shoes go through a lot. So, it’s a good idea to give them a thorough clean more regularly than most of us are doing. Luckily, for most types of shoes, the washing machine can handle the hard work to get them looking (and smelling) good as new.
But, before you go ahead and chuck them in, let’s go through all the top tips to properly care for your shoes while you clean them.
Reading the label
First thing’s first, have a quick peek inside your shoe. Most have a little care label hiding inside with one of the standard international laundry care symbols, letting you know what to (and what not to) do.
Machine Washable symbol
This handy little symbol should either have a number inside to let you know the max safe temperature when machine washing, or 1 dot for cold washing and 2 dots for warm washing.
Do Not Wash symbol
Your shoes can’t go in the washer if you see this. But on the bright side, it’s better to find out now than after trying it.
Hand Wash symbol
This symbol means that you should be giving those pumps a good scrub and rinse instead of machine washing.
How to prep shoes for the wash
Wait, don’t chuck your favourite trainers in just yet. They’ll need a tiny bit of TLC first.
- Remove any laces and insoles – be sure to handwash the insoles separately.
- Pop the laces in a mesh laundry bag or tied off pillowcase to stop them getting caught in the drum.
- Let any caked-on mud dry first, then scrape as much off as possible.
- Put the shoes in a laundry bag or tied pillowcase.
How to clean shoes in the washing machine
- First, you’ll want to add some padding into the drum, a few towels should do. They’ll absorb the impact of the shoes tumbling around and make it a bit quieter too.
- Choose one of your washing machine’s low heat and slow spin speed cycles. If yours has a handwash setting, that’s usually the best option.
How to dry your shoes
This is the most important step, making sure the shoes dry properly. If footwear stays damp too long, it can lose its shape, start to smell, or come apart. You don’t want to undo all your hard work, so follow these simple steps.
- Never tumble dry shoes – it can make them shrink.
- Pop them in a well-ventilated spot indoors to air dry.
- Stuff them with towels or paper towels to absorb moisture and help keep the shape.
- Leave them for 12 to 48 hours to dry. Only add the laces and insoles again once they’re fully dry.
What can’t be cleaned in a washing machine?
As a rule, there are some types of shoes that shouldn’t ever be machine washed, so give these ones a miss:
Leather or suede
Water and detergent can make the material stiffen, crack, or lose colour.
Embellished shoes
Sequins, beads, and other embellishments are too delicate to be machine washed.
Boots and dress shoes
Usually, they’re too large and made of materials that aren’t suitable for going in the washing machine.
It’s that easy – fresh, clean shoes without the fuss. Once you start following this simple routine every couple of months, they’ll look better, smell better, and last longer. So, next time your trainers start looking worse for wear, you know exactly what to do.
