Can You Wash Shoes In A Washing Machine?

The weather is changing and we’ve been starting to get some rainy days here in Melbourne. Rain means puddles and mud where we live which inevitably results in dirty shoes.

My youngest came home with a particularly dirty pair of sneakers yesterday so I told him to put them in the laundry and I would wash them. He was astounded! “Can you wash shoes in a washing machine?” , he wondered. 

Yes, you can wash shoes in a washing machine but it does depend on the type of shoe and the materials it is constructed from. Generally speaking sports and athletic shoes are made from durable materials such as nylon, cotton and polyester which are all safe to wash in the washing machine as well as being able to withstand laundry detergents.

You can check your shoe’s specific care instructions (if you can find them) to know with certainty if they are safe to be machine washed. Some shoes made from more delicate materials such as leather or suede should be cleaned using other more specialised methods and should not be placed in your washing machine. 

Now that you understand that you can wash some types of shoes in a washing machine, you’re probably wondering what types of shoes can be washed in the washing machine and maybe even what materials a shoe can be made from that will make it safe to wash in the washing machine.

You might also want to know how to wash your shoes in the washing machine, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered, keep reading to find out everything you need to know about washing shoes in your washing machine!

What Types Of Shoes Can You Wash In A Washing Machine?

So we’ve established that some types of shoes are machine washable. Let’s explore what types of shoes you can wash in your washing machine and what types should not be cleaned this way.

Can you wash sneakers in the washing machine?

As a general rule, yes, you can wash your sneakers in the washing machine, but it’s best to check the care instructions on your shoes first just to be sure. Most athletic shoes are made from materials such as nylon, cotton and polyester which are all machine washable. 

Can You Put Basketball Shoes in the Washing Machine?

Like any other shoes, putting your basketball shoes into the washing machine will depend on the materials used in the construction of the shoe. If they’re fairly old/well worn shoes made of nylon, cotton or polyester, I’d say go for it. However, I know how precious basketball players can get about their shoes! 

My youngest plays rep basketball and no one on his team would dare to walk into the stadium wearing their basketball shoes!

The shoes must be protected from the outside world at all costs so slides or crocs (or similar) are worn into the stadium. Once they’re all safely inside away from potential stones, dirt or mud, then the basketball shoes can be worn.

Keeping this practice in mind, it’s unlikely that your basketball shoes would ever need a thorough washing such as that a washing machine could provide, in which case a gentle hand wash might be the best.

Adidas strongly recommends against washing your basketball shoes in the washing machine. Here is a link to their cleaning instructions for basketball shoes.

Can You Put Golf Shoes in the Washing Machine?

Again, it will depend on what material your golf shoes are made from. If they’re leather, don’t wash them in the washing machine, but if you have mesh style golf shoes then yes, you can wash them in the washing machine.

Can You Wash Cleats in the Washing Machine?

Whether your cleats are for soccer, football or baseball, or any other sport, it is not a good idea to wash them in the washing machine. These shoes are just a bit too specialised to risk getting them damaged in the machine. Here is the recommended cleaning procedure for cleats from Adidas.

Can You Put Climbing Shoes in the Washing Machine?

A good pair of climbing shoes will most likely be made from a leather upper and a rubber outsole. Laundry detergent could damage these materials and the act of tumbling about in the washer could also damage the overall construction of these specialised shoes. 

For these reasons, no, you should not wash your climbing shoes in the washing machine.

Can You Put Boots in the Washing Machine?

The short answer is no, you can not wash your boots in the washing machine. Generally boots are made from leather which is not suitable for extended periods of being submerged in water.

Also the adhesives used in the construction of the boots to help hold all the pieces together are unlikely to fare well against laundry detergents. 

So no, I would not advise you to wash your boots in the washing machine, however, if you feel like experimenting, this guy washed his boots in the washing machine. The boots came out fine but his washing machine drum got dented for his trouble. 

Can You Put Hiking Boots in the Washing Machine?

Just like the above answer, no, hiking boots should not be washed in the washing machine. You could damage both the boots and the washing machine by attempting this.

Can You Put Sandals in the Washing Machine?

This will entirely depend on what your sandals are made from. If they’re leather or suede, do not put them in the washing machine. But if they’re more of a rubber sandal then, yes, you can put these sandals in the washing machine.

Can You Put Flip Flops in the Washing Machine?

Here in Australia we call them thongs, not flip flops, but I didn’t want the title to read ‘Can you put your thongs in the washing machine?’ because to the rest of the world ‘thongs’ refer to undergarments and frankly it’s fairly obvious that yes, you can and should put your thongs (undergarments) in the washing machine! 

In a happy coincidence, it’s also perfectly OK to put your flip flops in the washing machine when they need a good clean.

Can You Put Slippers in the Washing Machine?

As a general rule, yes, you can put your slippers in the washing machine but, again, it does depend on the materials they are made from. 

If your slippers have a rubber sole, the advice is that you should not put them in the washing machine. Likewise if your slippers have any fur or wool, it would be best not to wash them in the washing machine.

What Material Types Of Shoes Can You Put In A Washing Machine? 

As we’ve discovered above, it doesn’t necessarily matter what type of shoe you’re wanting to clean, but more importantly what type of material the shoes are made from. 

Most shoes will be constructed from at least two different types of materials – for the upper, the soles and then the lining. 

So, again, it’s best if you can locate the care instructions on your specific shoe to determine whether or not it can be washed in a washing machine. If you can’t find any care instructions, then hopefully you are able to identify the materials used in the construction of the shoe. 

As stated before, generally speaking nylon, cotton and polyester are all machine washable, but there are some other material types commonly used in footwear manufacture that you might need to know about too.

Can You Put Leather Shoes in the Washing Machine?

No, don’t put leather shoes in the washing machine. While leather is a fairly hardy material and commonly used in good quality shoes, it does not cope well with being wet for prolonged periods of time so submerging it in the washing machine would likely damage the leather.

Can You Put Suede Shoes in the Washing Machine?

Both leather and suede are types of animal skin and neither is suited to machine washing or being submerged in water for a length of time. Therefore, no, you should not put suede shoes in a washing machine.

Can You Put Canvas Shoes in the Washing Machine?

Yes, canvas shoes can be put in the washing machine and they tend to wash up well.

Parts Of Shoes That You Can Wash

When washing or cleaning your shoes you might consider ‘deconstructing’ your shoes and washing each part separately. Most shoes will have shoe laces and maybe a removable inner sole that can be removed. 

By taking the pieces of a shoe apart, you might be able to wash parts of the shoe in the washing machine and hand wash or wipe over the parts that are not suitable for machine washing.

Can Shoelaces go in the Washing Machine?

Yes, shoelaces can go in the washing machine. It is, however, sometimes advisable to remove them from the shoes before washing so as to get every part of the lace clean and/or to protect the shoelaces from potential colour running issues. 

For the record, I wash my white sneakers all the time and just leave the laces in place in the shoe and they always clean up well.

Can You Wash Shoe Insoles?

Like everything else, this depends on what they are made of but, generally speaking, yes, you can wash shoe insoles. 

I wouldn’t recommend machine washing prescription made orthotics (unless your podiatrist has said it’s OK), but the insole that often comes inside a sports shoe is usually machine washable.

It might be a good idea to take it out of the shoe first (or after washing) to allow it to dry separately as it will dry more quickly this way.

Also, if you have leather sneakers or other shoes that are leather so can’t go in the washing machine, take the insole out and give it a wash to help freshen up the shoes if they’re starting to smell.

How To Wash Shoes In A Washing Machine

Now that we’ve been through all of the types of shoes and materials of shoes that can or cannot be washed in a washing machine, you’re probably wondering how to wash your shoes in the washing machine. 

If you’ve already established that your shoes are indeed safe for machine washing, now you can learn everything you need to know about the best practices of washing your shoes in the washing machine.

What Setting To Wash Shoes On

You should wash your shoes on a ‘Delicates’ or ‘Hand Wash’ setting to protect both your shoes and your washing machine from damage. The lower spin speed of these cycles as well as the extra water usually used, combine to help protect your machine and shoes.

We’d also recommend you use a liquid laundry detergent rather than a powdered one as a powdered detergent may clump and find ways to stay attached to your shoes rather than dissolving thoroughly. 

What Temperature To Wash Shoes

A cold wash is best for your shoes in the washing machine as it will prevent any colours from running. Also a warm or hot cycle has the potential to shrink your shoes which would mean that while they might look nice and clean and new again, they might no longer fit your feet! 

So stick to cold water when washing shoes in the washing machine.

Can You Put Shoes in the Washer With Clothes?

Potentially you can put your shoes in the washer with your clothes – but we wouldn’t recommend it. 

If you’re washing your shoes in the washing machine they’re probably quite dirty and you’re looking for a way to get them nice and clean. If you put them in the machine with your clothes you run the risk of spreading the dirt and potentially staining your clothes. 

That being said, it’s a good idea to wash something else in the machine at the same time as your shoes to act as a buffer for your washing machine as the shoes are tossed and turned about in the cycle. A towel or two works well for this.

How To Wash Shoes In The Washing Machine Without A Mesh Bag

Some people have a specialty mesh bag for washing their shoes in the washing machine. That’s great if you have one but, if you don’t you can simply put them straight into the washing machine (with a couple of towels as mentioned above to keep your machine balanced and protected) or you can use a pillow case.

Washing Shoes In A Pillowcase

When you don’t have a dedicated shoe washing mesh bag, a pillowcase can be used to wash your shoes in the washing machine. 

Some people like to remove the laces from the shoes and put them in the pillowcase to keep them safe and tangle free in the machine, while putting the shoes themselves straight into the machine with some towels. Other people prefer to use the pillowcase for the shoes themselves – it’s totally up to you. 

I happen to have a mesh bag for washing shoes however most of the time I just throw them straight into the washing machine with some cleaning cloths/rags and some towels. They always come out fine and my washing machine has never had a problem.

Can You Wash Shoes in a Front Loader?

Yes, you can wash shoes in a front loader, in fact some would argue that a front loader is better suited to the task of washing shoes than a top loader. 

Front loaders tend to be gentler in the way they clean which reduces any chance for damage to either your shoes or the washing machine. You also tend to have better control over the spin and temperature in a front loader, which you want set to low spin and cold temperature.

That being said, I happen to have a top loader and have never had any trouble washing my white sneakers in it.

For more information on the differences between a front load washing machine and a top load washing machine click here.

Do You Wash White Shoes in Hot or Cold Water?

It’s best to wash all shoes, white or coloured, in cold water as explained previously. The cold water prevents colour running problems as well as potential shrinking. 

Will Putting Shoes in the Washing Machine Break It?

Washing your shoes in your washing machine can cause some wear and tear on it, but if you use the right precautions, it will not break your machine. 

Firstly, only wash shoes that are suitable for machine washing. As we learnt previously, washing big, heavy leather work boots in your machine can damage both the washing machine and the shoes.

Secondly, use the right setting on the machine. A delicate or hand wash setting uses more water than other settings and this will help to protect your washing machine as it tosses the shoes around it.

Thirdly, put your shoes in a special bag or pillowcase and/or add some towels to the washing machine as well when you’re washing your shoes. The towels will act as a cushioning buffer as the shoes are tumbled around and will prevent denting the drum of the washing machine. 

How to Dry Shoes After Washing Machine

The most important part of drying your shoes after washing them in the washing machine is to not put them in the dryer! Repeat – do not dry your shoes in the dryer. 

Some people say you should stuff the toes with newspapers to help the shoes maintain their shape while drying – I have never bothered with this. 

Usually I find just sitting my newly washed shoes out in the sun for a few hours will do the trick, or you can place them near a heater or over a ducted heating vent.

If you need your shoes to dry in a hurry, taking them apart is a good idea – pull out the laces and the innersoles and let them all dry separately before reconstructing your shoes once dry.

Final Thoughts

So yes, you can wash your shoes in the washing machine – but not all shoes! It all depends on the type of shoe and the types of materials used in the construction of the shoe. 

As a general rule, if your shoes are made from a washable fabric such as canvas, nylon, cotton or polyester then they should be safe to wash in the washing machine, but never put leather or suede shoes in your washing machine. 

Always wash your shoes on a gentle and cold setting to protect both the washing machine and your shoes.

If you’re in the market for a new washing machine (whether you’ll wash your shoes in it or just your clothes!) check out our buying guide for the best washing machines here.