Washing shoes in the machine

Yes, some shoes can be washed in the machine, but only if the material and construction allow it. Fabric sneakers and light sports shoes are often suitable for a gentle wash, while leather, suede, and waterproof shoes will deteriorate.

To prevent damage, follow three rules: always check the care label first, wash at a maximum of 30°C on a delicate cycle, and then let the shoes air dry slowly. This reduces the risk of glue coming loose, deformation, and permanent stains.

When is it okay and when is it not?

Whether shoes can be machine washed depends mainly on the upper, the sole, and the number of glued parts. Therefore, don't just use the brand as a guideline, but look primarily at the material.

Type of shoe	In the washing machine?	Practical advice
Mesh and synthetic sports shoes	Often yes	Light running and gym shoes made of textile or mesh are often suitable, provided the care label allows it. Wash at 20 to 30°C and use a laundry bag.
Canvas and textile sneakers	Often yes	Canvas models like many Converse All Stars, Vans, or similar sneakers can usually be washed on a gentle cycle.
Leather shoes and leather sneakers	No	Leather can dry out, discolor, and lose its shape. This also applies to many leather lifestyle sneakers, such as certain Air Force 1 or Adidas Superstar models.
Suede and nubuck	No	These materials quickly become stiff, stained, or dull in the machine. It's better to clean them with a suede brush and a suitable cleaning agent.
Waterproof shoes with a membrane	Preferably not	Shoes with a waterproof layer, such as Gore-Tex, can lose their protection due to excessive water, friction, and heat.
Work shoes, football boots, espadrilles, flip-flops, and cork insoles	Usually not	Hard parts, studs, cork, and molded footbeds can deform or damage the drum. Think also of many Birkenstock models.

When in doubt, it's better to clean them by hand with lukewarm water, a soft brush, and mild soap. This is safer than a machine wash that could irreparably damage your shoes.

What are the risks of washing shoes in the machine?

A washing machine not only wets shoes but also exposes them to friction, impacts, and temperature changes. This can cause problems, especially with sneakers that have glued soles or decorative overlays.

• Glue can come loose, causing soles or edges to open up.
• The upper can shrink, stretch, or lose its shape.
• Colors can fade or bleed, especially with dark or brightly colored shoes.
• Cushioning and support can be reduced, especially in sports shoes.
• Stones and hard soles can damage the drum or door of the washing machine.
• A wash cycle doesn't always remove the cause of bad odors, so shoes may still smell musty after drying.

Therefore, the main rule is simple: only use the washing machine for shoes that are truly suitable for it, and always choose the mildest settings.

How to wash shoes as safely as possible

Before you start

Remove laces and loose insoles from the shoes. If you're unsure what can be washed together, first consider sorting your laundry. Brush off mud, sand, and stones from the soles and rinse stubborn dirt under the tap. If you have stains on laces or textile parts, check removing stains from textiles for tips on pre-treatment. If you have wool sneakers or wool insoles, follow the guidelines in washing wool in the washing machine. Also, check if any seams or soles are already coming loose. If so, a wash cycle will usually make the problem worse.

Which program and at what temperature?

Choose a short delicate or gentle cycle at 20 to 30°C. For lightly soiled sneakers, 20°C is often enough and also energy-efficient, while 30°C is usually the safe upper limit. Use a small amount of liquid detergent, skip fabric softener, and turn off the spin cycle or set it as low as possible. A hot or long cotton cycle is almost always too aggressive for shoes.

How to put shoes in the washing machine

1. Place the shoes and laces in a laundry bag or a tied pillowcase.
2. Add two old towels to cushion hard impacts in the drum.
3. Preferably wash one pair at a time, especially with heavier sneakers or sports shoes.
4. Use only a small amount of liquid detergent.
5. Run the machine with no spin or a very low spin speed.
6. Remove the shoes from the washing machine immediately after the cycle finishes.
7. Dry insoles separately so the inside of the shoe dries faster.

Want to wash multiple shoes in the machine? You can do so with at most two pairs of light fabrics, but it remains less safe. Heavy shoes cause imbalance in the washing machine more quickly and create more impact on the drum. If you notice a lot of movement or banging, read what to do with a vibrating washing machine.

Drying shoes without damage

After washing, many people make the biggest mistake: they try to speed up drying with heat. This is precisely what can cause shoes to shrink, warp, or detach at the sole.

• Reshape the shoes immediately after washing.
• Loosely stuff them with white paper towels or a clean dry cloth to help them retain their shape and release moisture faster.
• Replace the paper if it becomes very damp.
• Let the shoes air dry at room temperature in a well-ventilated area.
• Do not place them on the radiator, in the dryer, or in direct bright sunlight.

If drying outdoors in a sheltered spot, follow the tips in drying laundry outdoors for even drying without deformation. If the weather is cold or humid, check drying laundry outdoors in winter for practical winter tips.

Depending on the material, drying usually takes 24 to 48 hours. Give shoes that time. Drying too quickly with heat is almost always more damaging than waiting patiently. It's best to dry laces and insoles separately.

Why do shoes sometimes still smell after washing?

A machine wash removes visible dirt, but not always the real cause of odor. This is often due to sweat residue, bacteria, and moisture deep inside the shoe. If sneakers then dry slowly or remain damp inside, especially in high humidity, the odor quickly returns.

Therefore, frequent washing is not a perfect solution for musty sports shoes. It's better to let shoes air out immediately after use, remove insoles, and avoid wearing wet shoes for several consecutive days. If you regularly suffer from odor, a good drying routine helps more than repeated washing.

For a quick refresh, you can dry the inside with white paper, use a mild shoe deodorant, or let baking soda sit overnight and then shake it out the next day. If you mainly have dirty white soles or a localized stain, it's better to clean them by hand instead of putting the whole pair back in the washing machine.

Frequently asked questions

Can you wash shoes at 40 degrees?

Usually not. For machine-washable sneakers, 20 to 30°C is safer. At 40 degrees, the risk of glue coming loose, colors fading, and the upper shrinking or deforming increases.

How long can shoes be in the washing machine?

Prefer a short delicate cycle of about 30 to 60 minutes over a long standard program. More important than the exact duration is keeping the temperature low and the spin speed minimal. Remove shoes from the drum immediately after the cycle.

Can I wash Nike sneakers, Adidas sneakers, or Skechers in the washing machine?

It depends on the material and the care label. Textile or mesh sneakers can sometimes go in the machine, but models with leather, many glued parts, memory foam, or visible air pockets are at higher risk. For example, with Nike Air Max, some Skechers, and certain Adidas lifestyle sneakers, extra caution is therefore important.

Can Converse All Stars, Vans, or other canvas shoes be washed in the machine?

Often yes. Canvas can usually withstand a gentle wash better than leather or suede. Here too, use a laundry bag, a maximum of 30°C, and no harsh spin. Then let canvas shoes air dry slowly.

Can leather shoes, suede shoes, or Birkenstocks be washed in the machine?

No. Leather can dry out and crack, suede and nubuck can become stiff and stained, and cork or molded footbeds like those in many Birkenstocks can deform. For these shoes, manual cleaning is the safest choice.

Can you wash multiple shoes at the same time?

Preferably not. One pair per wash cycle results in fewer impacts on the drum and a lower chance of imbalance. If you still want to wash two pairs of light fabrics together, always use a laundry bag and towels, and avoid heavy shoes.

What do you do if rings or stains are visible after washing?

Let the shoes dry completely first, then treat the spot locally. Use a soft cloth or brush with lukewarm water and mild soap. For white soles, gentle scrubbing often works better than a full wash cycle.