How to Wash Shoes in Washing Machine — The Right Way to Do It

If you have a pair of dirty sneakers sitting by the back door and you are wondering whether you can just throw them in the washer — the answer is yes, you can. But how to wash shoes in washing machine properly takes a little more preparation than tossing in a regular load of laundry.

Done right, machine washing your shoes saves time, gets them genuinely clean, and does not damage your washer. Done wrong, it can leave your shoes misshapen, crack the soles, or in the worst case, cause an unbalanced load that is hard on your washing machine drum.

This guide walks you through every step.

First — Can Your Shoes Actually Go in the Washing Machine?

Do NOT put in the washing machine:

Leather shoes — the water and agitation will crack and warp the material
Suede shoes — water destroys suede permanently
Shoes with embellishments or sequins — these will come off in the drum
Dress shoes — the construction cannot withstand machine washing
Shoes with memory foam insoles — the foam breaks down when soaked

If your shoes have a care label sewn inside, check it before washing. When in doubt, hand wash.

What You Need Before You Start

Knowing how to wash shoes in washing machine correctly means gathering the right supplies first. Here is what you need:

A mesh laundry bag or an old pillowcase
Old towels — 2 or 3
Liquid laundry detergent (not pods — more on this below)
A soft brush or old toothbrush
Cold water setting on your machine
Gentle or delicate cycle

Step-by-Step — How to Wash Shoes in Washing Machine

Step 1 — Remove the Laces and Insoles

The first step in how to wash shoes in washing machine is always to remove the laces and insoles before anything goes near the washer.

Laces — pull them out completely and place them in a small mesh bag or wash them separately. Laces left in the shoe can tangle around the agitator or drum components and cause damage.

Insoles — remove these and wash them by hand in the sink with mild soap. Insoles are usually foam-based and machine washing breaks them down quickly, causes them to lose their shape, and sometimes leads to mold if they do not dry properly.

Step 2 — Remove Loose Dirt First

This step is skipped by most people and causes the most problems. Before you figure out how to wash shoes in washing machine, clean off the loose dirt manually.

Use a soft brush or an old toothbrush to scrub the soles, around the toe cap, and any heavily soiled areas. Hold the shoes over a trash can or do it outside. Knocking the shoes together sole-to-sole also dislodges packed dirt.

Putting muddy shoes straight into the washing machine cakes dirt into the drum, blocks the drain filter, and often leaves the shoes looking just as dirty when they come out. A two-minute pre-clean makes a real difference.

Step 3 — Put the Shoes in a Mesh Bag

This is the most important step in how to wash shoes in washing machine correctly.

Place each shoe inside a mesh laundry bag. If you do not have a mesh bag, a zipped pillowcase works fine. The bag prevents the shoes from banging around freely inside the drum during the spin cycle, which protects both the shoes and the washing machine drum.

Shoes hitting the inside of a washing machine drum repeatedly create the same kind of unbalanced load that causes excessive vibration and long-term wear on drum bearings — the same fault that eventually leads to a loud, noisy washing machine.

Step 4 — Add Towels to Balance the Load

One of the most useful tips in any how to wash shoes in washing machine guide is this one — always add 2 or 3 old towels to the load.

Step 5 — Use the Right Detergent — and the Right Amount

For how to wash shoes in washing machine without causing residue problems, use liquid laundry detergent rather than pods or powder.

Liquid detergent dissolves completely and rinses out cleanly
Pods can clump against the shoe fabric if they do not dissolve quickly enough
Powder can leave white residue in the fabric if it does not fully dissolve in cold water

Step 6 — Set the Right Cycle and Temperature

The most critical setting when you are learning how to wash shoes in washing machine is the temperature. Always use cold water.

Cold water only — always.

Gentlest cycle available. Use delicate, gentle, or hand wash cycle. Avoid any cycle with a fast spin speed.

Drying is where most people go wrong even after a good how to wash shoes in washing machine process:

Do not put shoes in the dryer. The heat from a dryer does the same damage as hot water — it melts adhesives, warps soles, and can permanently change the shape of the shoe: Air dry only.

Quick Summary — How to Wash Shoes in Washing Machine

Step	What to Do
1	Remove laces and insoles
2	Pre-clean loose dirt with a brush
3	Place shoes in mesh laundry bag
4	Add 2-3 old towels to balance the load
5	Use liquid detergent — half a normal dose
6	Cold water, gentle cycle, low spin
7	Air dry only — never use the dryer

Follow these seven steps every time and you will have clean shoes without damaging your washer or your footwear.