How to wash shoes in the washing machine
Washing your shoes in the washing machine can save you time and effort when keeping your favorite sneakers clean and ready to wear. Not sure how to get started? Follow this guide to learn how to clean shoes in the washer and by hand.
Can you put shoes in the washer?
Shoes made with materials like canvas, nylon, cotton and polyester are usually safe to wash in a washing machine. These materials are durable and shouldn’t be damaged by laundry detergent. Find out what to do if your shoes or clothes have oil or grease stains. Before you begin cleaning, check your shoe’s care instructions for washing recommendations.
While some shoes lend themselves well to machine washing, many other types of footwear require hand cleaning or specialized care. Shoes made of materials like leather, suede, rubber and vinyl, or sports shoes with rubber or metal cleats, should not be placed in your washer.
If your shoes are made of delicate material (like silk) or feature beading, embroidery, sequins or other embellishments, take them to a shoe repair and cleaning specialist to avoid damaging them. Always double check your care instructions to make sure it’s okay to wash your shoes in the washer.
Can you put shoes in the dryer?
It’s generally safe to put shoes in the dryer, but it ultimately depends on the type of fabric the shoes are made out of and whether the care instructions recommend using the dryer. Shoes made of canvas, cotton and polyester materials are typically safe to put in the dryer.
To ensure your shoes don’t become damaged by excessive tumbling, consider using a drying rack, like this one from Whirlpool brand. Drying racks attach to the inside of your dryer, so items can rest on a flat surface during the cycle. If you don’t have a drying rack, wrap your shoes in a thick towel and use a delicate setting with low or no heat.
How to clean shoes in the washer step-by-step
Washing shoes in a washing machine isn’t difficult, but it does take some preparation. Before you get started, check the care and cleaning instructions for your shoes to ensure they’re washer/dryer safe. Then, follow the steps below to begin cleaning your shoes in the washer.
Tools
- A rag or soft brush, like an old toothbrush
A sponge
- Old towels
Supplies
Liquid laundry detergent
Baking soda
A mesh garment bag
Shoe cleaner
Time estimate
Washing your shoes in the washing machine takes about 45 minutes to one hour with a Delicate washer cycle. Keep in mind that shoes will also need to air dry at least overnight for a complete dry.
1. Remove shoe laces and machine wash
First, remove the laces from your shoes, if possible. To keep laces from being tangled or wrapped around any parts in the drum, wash them in a mesh garment bag that’s securely closed. For stubborn messes, laundry detergent and a soft brush can be used to manually scrub the laces as well.
2. Wash the insoles by hand
Remove the shoe insoles and wash them by hand, unless otherwise stated in the care instructions. Machine washing your insoles could leave them waterlogged, which means they could take days to dry. If your insoles are not machine washable, you can help clean and deodorize them by:
Wiping them down with a soft brush or rag and slightly soapy water
Using a sponge to soak up as much of the excess moisture as possible
Sprinkling the insoles with baking soda and letting them sit overnight to deodorize and soak up remaining moisture
Brushing off the baking soda in the morning
3. Clean the soles
If your shoes have excess mud or debris in the soles, use a soft brush to remove as much as possible. You can also use a toothbrush or toothpicks to carefully remove debris from tight areas. Once the dirt is removed, you can also help clean away scuff marks by using a rag or soft brush to apply a shoe cleaner. Gently rub the cleaner onto the scuffs, then wipe away with a damp rag.
4. Place the shoes in a mesh garment bag
After cleaning the soles, place your shoes in a mesh garment bag. This can help prevent them from forcefully tumbling around in the washer and getting damaged.
Can you wash shoes without a mesh bag?
If you don’t have a mesh bag handy when cleaning your shoes in the washing machine, you can easily opt for a pillowcase instead. This can help keep them secure, so they don’t tumble around as much in the drum.
5. Put the bag into the washer with towels
Place the bag into the washing machine, along with a few old towels to help balance the load. Make sure the towels are old—newer ones could leach excess dye that could stain your shoes.
6. Wash the shoes using a delicate cycle
Set your washing machine on a Delicate, cold water cycle with a slow or no-spin option. Use liquid detergent or laundry pods because powder detergent can get stuck in the shoes if it doesn’t dissolve properly.
7. Air dry the shoes and re-insert the insoles
Once the wash cycle is complete, remove your shoes and laces from the mesh garment bags and let them air dry. You can stuff your shoes with clean rags or paper towels to absorb excess moisture and help the shoes keep their shape as they dry. Once your shoes are completely dry, you can re-insert the insoles and restring the laces.
It’s important to note that your shoes may take a few days to air dry. To help speed up the drying process, you can place your shoes in an area where they’ll receive a lot of sunlight. If you’re in a pinch for time, using your dryer with an internal drying rack can help speed up the process as well.
This Whirlpool® Electric Dryer comes with a dryer rack, which attaches inside the drum so you can rest your shoes on a flat surface during the cycle.
Washers with Pretreat Station
Soak, scrub and wash all in one spot
Whirlpool® Washers with Pretreat Station offer a built-in faucet and pretreat brush for easy access to tools that help you get it all done at once
Will shoes damage the washing machine?
Shoes are unlikely to damage the washing machine if they are washed in a mesh garment bag or pillowcase on a cold, gentle cycle. This helps to prevent potential damage from the shoes tumbling throughout the washer drum.
Do shoes shrink in the washing machine?
Shoes may shrink in the washing machine if they are washed on a hot water cycle. When washing your shoes, always follow the care instructions. Generally, shoes should be washed on a cold, gentle cycle to help prevent shrinking and damage.
After washing, air dry your shoes overnight. Exposing your shoes to high heat in the dryer can cause them to shrink and become damaged.
Is it hygienic to wash shoes in the washing machine?
Your washing machine is designed to help you care for your family’s favorite items by giving them an optimal clean and items like shoes, pillows, backpacks and more are no exception. Just be sure to refer to the care label to give your shoes or other items the specific clean they need.
How do you wash shoes by hand?
To wash shoes by hand, start by using a soft, wet cloth to clean the soles before stuffing the shoes with rags or newspaper to help prevent liquid from seeping in. Then, use a toothbrush to gently remove excess dirt. Mix together two cups of water with a ¼ teaspoon of dish soap before spot testing the solution on your shoes.
Dip the toothbrush in the solution, cleaning your shoes as needed, before using a washcloth to help remove excess moisture from the exterior. Finally, remove the rags from inside your shoes before allowing them to air dry.
Discover Whirlpool® Washers & Dryers
Messes are a part of life, like the grass stains on your favorite sneakers or the smudge of sauce on your treasured denim jacket. Whirlpool® Washers and Dryers are designed to help you care for your family’s favorite clothes on laundry day. Browse the entire selection of washing machines and dryers, and let Whirlpool brand handle the laundry, so you can get back to what matters.
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