Washing Your Shoes

by Marissa Zumbo, November 2021

Let’s be real... You sweat a lot through your feet, which means your shoes are gonna get stinky at some point. And when that day comes, you have to ask yourself an important question: Can I machine wash these?

So which kicks can kick it in the washing machine? Most shoes, especially those made of leather, suede, vinyl, and rubber, should only be hand-washed. But generally, shoes made of materials like cotton, polyester, and nylon can be put in the washing machine. Always check the care instructions on your shoes, as some might even be best to take to a specialist.

For shoes you can put in the wash, follow these easy steps:

  1. Remove your laces and/or insoles. Put your laces in a mesh laundry bag to keep them from getting tangled in the wash. If the laces are extremely dirty, pre-clean them with a detergent and soft brush.

  2. Putting insoles in the wash can leave them waterlogged for days, so it’s best to wash your insoles by hand--unless care instructions state otherwise. Use a soft rag to wipe them down with soapy water, then a sponge to soak up the added moisture before sprinkling some baking soda on the soles and leaving them alone overnight. This deodorizes them and helps to lessen extra moisture. In the morning, brush the remaining baking soda off, and continue to leave them to dry.

  3. If your shoes are especially dirty, use a rag or soft brush to pre-clean them. You can also clean away scuff marks with a rag and shoe cleaner.

  4. Place shoes in a mesh laundry bag, preferable one separate from the laces (or do them in separate cycles). Place the bag(s) in the washing machine with some old towels to keep them from banging against the sides. Note: use old towels, not new ones, as the new ones could leak excess dye onto the shoes.

  5. Set your machine to delicate, use cold water, and if possible, choose a no spin option. Use a liquid detergent, as powder can get stuck in the shoes, and proceed to wash.

  6. When the wash is over, remove the shoes and laces from the mesh bags and allow them to air dry in a place with sunlight. Feel free to stuff the shoes with paper towels or rags to help them keep their shape and absorb excess moisture.**

  7. Once everything (shoes, laces and insoles) are dry, put your shoes back together and keep on kicking it!

** It can take a few days for shoes and insoles to dry. We don’t recommend putting any shoes in the dryer. The heat is bad for the rubber (the soles can melt and become deformed) and the tumbling against the dryer can bang your shoe up.

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Sources Cited for Article:

https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-wash-shoes-in-washing-machine/

https://www.whirlpool.com/blog/washers-and-dryers/how-to-wash-shoes-in-washing-machine.html