Can you put sneakers in the washing machine?

Yes, canvas, mesh, and synthetic sneakers handle machine washing great. Leave genuine leather, suede, and dress shoes out of the washer entirely.

What temperature should I wash shoes on?

Cold water only! Hot water breaks down the factory glue holding your shoe soles together, leaving you with floppy soles.

Why do I need to throw bath towels in with my shoes?

Towels act as air cushions. Without them, your shoes will violently slam against the drum wall like a bowling ball in a blender.

How to Wash Shoes in a Washing Machine (Without Destroying Them)

We’ve all stood there staring into the washer drum, holding a pair of muddy $100 sneakers, wondering: “Is this a brilliant shortcut, or am I about to turn my favorite shoes into a tragic pile of rubber scrap?”

Here’s the good news: You can absolutely wash sneakers in a washing machine.

The bad news? If you toss them in on hot water with no padding, you will melt the sole adhesive and sound like someone dropped a bowling ball into a tumble dryer.

Here is the exact low-stress, noise-free method to clean them safely.

🚨 The Golden Rule: Canvas, mesh, and synthetic running shoes are A-OK. Genuine leather, suede, or vintage shoes with delicate foam must NEVER go in the washer. Hand-wash those unless you enjoy regret.

Step-by-Step Shoe Washing Guide

1. Knock Off the Big Dirt

Don’t make your washing machine do dirty work it wasn’t built for. Grab an old toothbrush or scrub brush and knock the caked-up dry mud off the outsoles over a trash can first.

2. Separate the Laces & Insoles

Pull out the shoelaces and removable insoles:

Laces: Toss them into a small mesh laundry bag (otherwise they will wrap around the agitator like a cobra).
Insoles: Hand-wash these in the sink with a bit of dish soap. Machine washing squishes the foam cushioning, leaving your shoes feeling flat.

3. The Towel Buffer Trick (Don’t Skip This!)

A white front load washing machine ready for the shoes and towels

Put your shoes inside a mesh laundry bag. Now, grab 2 to 3 old bath towels and throw them into the drum with the bag.

Why towels? The towels balance the drum’s weight distribution. Instead of your shoes violently slamming against the metal wall during the 800-RPM spin cycle, they bounce softly off fluffy cotton. Your washer’s suspension rods will thank you.

4. Machine Settings

Keep it cold and slow:

Water Temp: COLD (Warm/hot water dissolves shoe sole glue).
Cycle: Gentle / Delicate.
Detergent: 1 tablespoon of standard liquid detergent. Skip powder detergent, as it leaves chalky white streaks inside mesh fabric.

5. Air-Dry Only (The Dryer is a Trap)

Never put shoes in the tumble dryer. The intense heat will warp the synthetic rubber soles and shrink canvas uppers.

Instead, set them in a well-ventilated spot for 24 hours. Pro-tip: Ball up a few sheets of plain paper towels and stuff them inside the toes—it absorbs internal dampness and helps the shoe keep its natural shape as it dries.

📚 What to Read Next

If washing your sneakers left behind some muddy residue in the drum, here is how to clean it out before your next load of whites:

The Ultimate Washing Machine Deep Clean Guide - The 30-minute guide to clearing out mud, odors, and soap scum.
What Does the Tub Clean Cycle Actually Do? - How to safely descale the inner drum using tablets or vinegar.