How to Clean Shoes in Washing Machine Without Damaging Them

Let’s Talk: Can You Actually Wash Shoes in a Machine?

Let’s be real—your trainers have seen better days. Dirt, mud, and mystery stains have practically moved in, and your nose is staging a protest. Washing shoes in a machine sounds like a brilliant shortcut, right? But hold your horses—your washing machine isn’t a shoe spa by default. Wash your shoes the wrong way, and you’ll end up with a warped, sad-looking mess or, worse, a spinning machine wrecked from shoe impact. So the million-dollar question: how to clean shoes in washing machine without damaging them? Buckle up, sneakerheads, because we’re diving into a step-by-step guide that gets your kicks sparkling without chaos.

Step 1: Material Check—Are Your Shoes Machine-Wash Friendly?

Not all shoes are created equal—some throw instant shade if you even think about dunking them in your washer. Canvas, nylon, cotton, and polyester shoes are your machine wash MVPs. Leather, suede, rubber, vinyl, and anything with metal cleats or embellishments? Keep those far away from the washing drum throne. These materials are highly likely to shrivel, warp, or collapse in the spin cycle.

Your best friend: the care label inside the shoe. It often gives the green or red light for machine washing. If it says “no,” listen up—you’ll want to try hand cleaning or professional care to keep those shoes in shape.

Step 2: Remove the Feet Accessories: Laces and Insoles

Before your shoes get the full washing machine experience, pull out the laces and any removable insoles. Why? These parts get tossed around and twisted like they’re in a workout competition, which can damage the threads or cause tangling inside your machine.

Pro tip: chuck your laces into a mesh laundry bag and wash them along with the shoes. This keeps them from turning into a tangled mess and lets your laces come out fresh and unscathed. For those insoles, consider hand washing or airing them out if they’re too delicate.

Step 3: Pre-Clean Like a Pro

Let’s not just throw dirt and mud willy-nilly into your machine. For best results, brush off all loose dirt and debris with a soft-bristled or stiff brush depending on your shoe’s fabric. Got that stubborn mud caked on? Give it a quick rinse under running water or scrub with a gentle cleanser beforehand.

This isn’t just about cleanliness—it helps protect both your shoes and washing machine drum from abrasive grime that could seriously ding your machine’s performance down the line. If you want to geek out on washer maintenance while you’re scrubbing, you might enjoy this guide on cleaning your Samsung washing machine drum to keep things pristine.

Step 4: Shield Your Kicks and Your Washer

Imagine shoes thudding around, crashing into the washer drum like they’re auditioning for a boxing match—that’s what you want to avoid. The trick? protect both shoes and machine.

Place cleaned shoes inside a mesh laundry bag or a pillowcase tied shut. This prevents any damage from zipping around during the spin cycle. For extra padding, toss in some old towels. They act like a cozy barrier, reducing noise and the impact of your shoes bouncing around.

Step 5: Choose the Right Detergent and Washer Settings

The last thing you want is harsh detergent eating away your shoes’ fabric, so opt for a mild liquid detergent or laundry pods built for colors or delicates. Avoid powder detergents—they can be abrasive and stick around on your shoes.

When it comes to washing settings, be gentle. Select a cold water, delicate or gentle cycle with a low spin speed. Cold water helps protect your shoe fabric and glue bonds from breaking down. This is backed by experts including LG’s helpful guide which emphasizes cold, gentle washes as the key to clean yet intact shoes.

Step 6: Dry Like a Gentle Boss

Your washing machine is done? Excellent. Now, steer clear of the tumble dryer. Heat isn’t your shoe’s friend here—it can warp the shape and ruin adhesive bonds, turning your favorite kicks into something from the shoe graveyard.

Instead, air dry your shoes at room temperature in a well-ventilated spot. Pro tip: stuff shoes with crumpled newspaper or paper towels to absorb moisture and help maintain shape. If you’re after ultimate freshness, pop the insoles aside and let those air out separately.

If you’re curious about cleaning other often-neglected washing machine parts that can affect your laundry like the rubber gaskets or hoses, you may want to explore guides such as how to clean rubber parts of washing machine to keep everything squeaky clean.

Extra Tips, Tricks, and Warnings for Your Shoe-Washing Success

  • Spot test first: If unsure, hand wash a small hidden part of your shoe fabric to check for colorfastness or damage.
  • Avoid fancy shoes: No machine love for leather, suede, embellished or waterproof running shoes. These need special care or professional cleaning as noted by running shoe experts Brooks.
  • Keep sneakers separated: Don’t overload the machine. Two pairs max, separated by towels for balance and protection.
  • Shoe care products: For extra shine and protection after washing, consider care sprays or specialized shoe detergents available online (like India and global options).

A Few Bonus Reads to Keep Your Washing Routine Spotless

If you’re the kind of person who likes to geek out on washing machine maintenance while you’re at it, here are some handy internal resources from our site:

Because clean shoes are great, but a clean washer leads to squeaky-clean success round after round.

The Final Words: Keep it Gentle, Keep it Smart

To sum it all up—yes, you can machine wash shoes safely, but only when you take the time to do it right. Choose your shoes wisely, protect them inside the machine, use gentle detergents and cycles, and air dry to maintain their life and luster.

It’s really about giving those dirty kicks a spa day without sending them (or your washing machine) to rehab. So go on, treat your shoes right. They’ll thank you with every step.