Can You Machine Wash Sneakers? - Complete Guide

Our sneakers go where we go, and like us, they’ve seen better, less messy days. After a few uses, there’s a major temptation to just machine wash sneakers, and have them come out clean and shining. However, what you may not know is that only sometimes can sneakers go in the washing machine. The response to “can you machine wash sneakers” isn’t always an easy “yes”. It depends on what your sneakers are made of. Putting the wrong types of sneakers in the machine can irreversibly damage them, instead of cleaning them and compromise on their durability and lifespan. 

This sneaker care guide is here to tell you how, and whether to, machine wash sneakers.

Which Sneakers Can Be Machine Washed?

Some sneakers are built differently, and can be machine washed without giving up on durability, looks and lifespan. You can put sneakers crafted with these materials into the machine, and they’re good to go. 

1. Canvas Sneakers 

Washing canvas sneakers in a machine may have a lower risk of damage, as canvas is a more tolerant material. It handles water absorption, dries without warping and does not lose its shape easily. It should be washed in a gentle cycle. 

2. Mesh Sneakers 

Cleaning mesh sneakers in a machine works, if done right. The uppers are lightweight and breathable, so water easily passes through them. Washing sports shoes with mesh uppers retains their durability and performance.

3. Basic Synthetic Sneakers 

Synthetic uppers like basic PU, or non-performance fabric sneakers like nylon and polyester, can be washed in the machine. They’re not made with heat-sensitive adhesives or overlays prone to damage, so the risk to the sneaker is lower. 

Which Sneakers Should Never Go in a Washing Machine?

Some sneakers’ materials are not built for the machine. These primarily include premium materials and shoes with glued-on materials and embellishments. You should never wash these shoes in the machine if you want them to last for years. Even one wash can cause permanent damage. 

1. Leather & Suede

Water causes leather to stiffen and crack, then lose its finish. Suede’s fibres collapse when they get wet, the material gets stained and warped and doesn’t recover even after drying. Sneakers with these materials get irreversible fabric damage after even a single machine wash.

2. Performance Sneakers

If they’re non-mesh or fabric, machine washing running shoes and sports/ training shoes isn’t recommended, as they aren’t engineered to survive a spin cycle. Machine washing these compresses the cushioning foam cells, and leads to glue damage, which causes sole separation over time. 

3. Sneakers With Embellishments Or Glued Overlays

Sneakers with glued-on rhinestones, patches and overlays are at high-risk of damage in the machine. The machine’s movement and water stress the adhesive. A study found that detergent also breaks down the adhesives and cause sole separation after just one wash.

4. Designer Sneakers

If you have spent a lot on a pair of premium sneakers, the machine may not be the place to wash them. It causes colour fading, shrinking and overall structural damage. 

This May Also Help: How To Clean Suede Shoes- A Step-By-Step Guide

Step-by-Step Guide to Machine Washing Sneakers

The first step and most important step is ascertaining that your sneakers are safe for machine washing. Follow the given manufacturer instructions. Putting the sneakers in the machine doesn’t mean the job is done. You need to take steps to make sure it’s done properly. We’ll tell you how to wash sneakers in the washing machine. Following the below steps will keep the aesthetic, profile and durability of your shoes intact. 

Step 1: Remove The Laces

Since laces tangle inside, they don’t get cleaned properly and can also damage the machine with repeated cycles. Hand wash them separately with soap and water, or put them in a separate small bag in the machine.

Step 2: Pull Out The Insoles

You should always remove insoles before washing sneakers in a washing machine, as they absorb a lot of water and take a long time to dry. They also trap moisture, which leads to bacteria and odour. Hand wash them separately with mild detergent and cold water, and air dry them.

This May Also Help: How To Clean Muddy Shoes After Rain

Step 3: Brush Off Loose Dirt 

Use a soft brush or an old toothbrush to remove dirt from the upper and sole before putting them in the machine. If you skip this step, the dirt swirls around inside and doesn’t let the shoes clean properly. 

Step 4: Pre-Treat Stains

For visible stains, apply some mild detergent or a paste of baking soda and water for 10-15 minutes before washing. This is the most effective step for machine washing white sneakers that have patches or marks on them.

Step 5: Use A Mesh Bag / Laundry Bag

Put each sneaker inside a separate mesh or laundry bag before putting them in the machine. This prevents direct contact and banging around the interior during the cycle. You can also use an old pillowcase or any thin material that doesn’t tear easily. 

Step 6: Wash Along With Towels 

Along with the sneakers, put 2-3 towels in the machine. This adds more cushioning for the shoes and reduces noise. Make sure to use old towels, as the colour from new towels can bleed.

Step 7: Set The Right Cycle

Always use a gentle cycle with cold water. Cold water and mild detergent protect the adhesives and glue, prevent colours from bleeding or fading, and also reduce shrinkage or tearing of the fabric. Also avoid fabric softener as it coats the shoe and removes breathability. Set the spin speed low.

Step 8: Don’t Use Bleach

When machine washing white sneakers, the instinct to bleach them to revert to their clean sneakers state is understandable. But don’t act on it, as bleach has the opposite effect. It reacts with synthetic shoe fabrics and leaves a permanent yellow or grey colour. 

How to Dry Sneakers Properly? 

Now you know how to wash sneakers in the washing machine, you need to complete the process the right way. Cleaning is half the job; drying is the rest. Getting it wrong will undo the work and may even worsen their condition. Follow these instructions on how to dry sneakers after washing them in the machine carefully. 

Step 1: Remove Excess Water Immediately

Take the sneakers out of the washing machine and press a dry towel against the uppers and the insides as soon as the cycle ends to absorb the water.  Don’t wring or twist the shoes as it distorts the shape.

Step 2: Stuff With Dry Newspaper Or Paper Towels

This is one of the most effective drying techniques for retaining and maintaining the shape. Stuffing newspaper or paper towels inside the shoes absorbs the moisture and holds the toe box’s shape as it dries. If the shoe is very wet, replace the paper every few hours. 

Step 3: Air Dry In A Ventilated Spot

Dry the shoes in a well-ventilated area, either indoors or in a shaded outdoor spot. Air drying is the safest method, as it doesn’t damage the shoes or lead to colour fading.

Step 4: Never Use Direct Heat

High heat from the heater, hair dryer, or sun melts the glue, damages the sole’s shape, and shrinks the uppers. With sun drying, the sole can be separated in shoes made of specific materials, such as leather.

Step 5: Give Time To Fully Dry 

Depending on materials, humidity, and weather, most sneakers need at least 24-48 hours to dry completely. Wearing them while still damp causes the insole to compress unevenly, creates odour, and encourages bacterial growth. 

You May Also Like: 10 Simple Habits That Extend The Life Of Your Shoes

Common Washing Mistakes That Damage Sneakers 

In the mission to take care of your sneakers, one may tend to overdo it if you’re unaware of the best way to wash sneakers. Here are some mistakes that you should take care to avoid when washing shoes, and help them last longer. 

• Hot Water Usage: This is one of the most common mistakes. Hot water weakens the adhesives, creates shrinkage of fabric uppers and accelerates colour fading. You should always use cold water to wash.

• Washing the Wrong Materials: Some materials, including leather, suede, and performance sneakers, are not machine-safe. A single wash can cause permanent fabric damage. It is important to check the material and care instructions before putting them in the machine.

• Drying With Direct Heat: Proximity or exposure to direct heat is one of the leading causes of sole separation and glue damage. In India, temperatures in summer regularly exceed 40°C, which is harmful. Always air dry in a shaded area.

• Washing Too Frequently: Over-washing speeds material wear and adhesive damage. It is better for the shoe lifespan to have a routine cleaning session (using a soft brush) than putting them in the machine every week. Shoe deodorizing, with baking soda or sprays, also reduces the need for washing frequently.

• Not Using A Mesh Bag: Sneakers hit against the walls during the washing cycle without a mesh bag or laundry bag. Over time, this damages the structure of the heel counter, toe box, and sole edges, reducing durability and lifespan.

How Often Should You Wash Sneakers?

How often you wash sneakers depends on how often you wear them and where. For daily-wear sneakers, wiping them with a soft brush after a few wears and washing them in the machine once a month works. For more premium sneakers, you can wash them once every 6-8 weeks. Having a consistent routine cleaning schedule is better than regular stain removal after a few wears. You should rotate pairs when possible, as a shoe lasts longer with more rest it gets. 

We hope this guide addressed the topic: Can you wash shoes in a washing machine? If you’re careful and take care of them, your sneakers will be with you for a long time.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can leather sneakers be machine washed?

No, leather sneakers can’t be machine washed as water stiffens and cracks the leather, causing it to permanently lose its texture. Use a leather-safe cleaner or a soft, dry cloth to clean.

2. Can you put shoes in the dryer?

Don’t put shoes in the dryer or near any direct heat sources as it melts the adhesive, warps the rubber soles and shrinks fabric uppers. It’s recommended to air dry shoes in a shaded and ventilated area.

3. Can machine washing damage shoe glue?

It depends on the shoe material - if it isn’t suitable to be put in the machine, it will be damaged. Machine safe shoes should be washed with cold water, mild detergent and a slow spin cycle. That prevents the shoe glue from getting damaged.

4. Should I remove insoles before washing sneakers in the washing machine?

Yes, you should always remove the insoles, as they trap the moisture and take much longer to dry than the rest of the shoe. Leaving them in the machine and trapping the water builds up odour and bacterial growth inside the shoe. Wash the insoles separately by hand and air dry them.