How To Wash Shoes In Washing Machine

If you want to know the right way of washing shoes in washing machine, follow these steps carefully.

Step 1: Check the Care Label First

Before you do anything, look inside the shoe tongue, insole area, or box label.

This label tells you whether the shoes are machine washable or hand wash only.

Why this information matters:

Some shoes may look machine-safe but contain:

• glued soles
• memory foam padding
• synthetic leather overlays
• heat-sensitive adhesives

If the label says “Do Not Machine Wash”, don’t risk it. Can we wash shoes in washing machine? Yes, but only if the care label allows it.

Step 2: Remove Laces and Insoles

Never wash shoes exactly as they are.

Take out:

• Shoelaces
• Insoles
• Any removable inserts or padding

Why remove them?

Because:

• laces can get tangled
• insoles may trap water
• the shoes won’t clean properly from the inside

How to wash laces:

Put laces in a small mesh laundry bag or pillowcase and wash them with the shoes.

How to wash insoles:

It’s better to clean insoles by hand using mild soap and a soft brush. Many care guides specifically suggest hand-washing insoles instead of machine-washing them because they can stay waterlogged for much longer.

Step 3: Brush Off Loose Dirt and Mud

This step is often skipped, and that’s a mistake.

Before machine washing, remove all visible dirt from:

• shoe uppers
• soles
• grooves
• edges

Use:

• an old toothbrush
• soft shoe brush
• damp cloth
• toothpick for sole grooves

Why this is important:

If you put muddy shoes directly into the washer:

• dirt can spread everywhere
• mud can clog small areas
• your shoes won’t get truly clean

This step is especially important when learning how to clean shoes in washing machine properly.

Step 4: Pretreat Stains Before Washing

If your shoes have visible stains like:

• mud
• food spills
• grass stains
• sweat marks
• yellowing
• black scuff marks

Then you should pretreat them first.

How to pretreat shoe stains:

Mix:

• 1 cup lukewarm water
• a few drops of mild liquid detergent

Dip a soft brush or cloth and gently scrub the stained area.

For white shoes, you can use:

• baking soda paste
• mild stain remover (only if safe for fabric)

Let the pretreatment sit for 10–15 minutes before machine washing.

This improves the result and prevents you from having to wash the shoes again.

Step 5: Put Shoes in a Mesh Laundry Bag or Pillowcase

This is one of the most important steps when washing shoes in washing machine.

Place your shoes inside:

• a mesh laundry bag
• or an old pillowcase

Then secure it properly.

Why do this?

It helps:

• reduce banging inside the drum
• protect the shoe shape
• protect your washing machine
• reduce sole damage

Most appliance and laundry-care guides recommend using a mesh bag or pillowcase for exactly this reason.

Step 6: Add Towels for Cushioning

Put 2–4 old towels into the machine along with the shoes.

Why add towels?

They help:

• balance the load
• reduce loud thumping noise
• cushion the shoes
• prevent the shoes from hitting the drum too hard

Important: Use old towels, not new colored ones, because some may bleed color onto light or white shoes. Laundry experts also generally advise sorting and avoiding color transfer during washes.

This is one of the best practical hacks for machine wash shoes safely.

Step 7: Use the Right Detergent

When washing shoes in washing machine, less is more.

Best detergent for shoes:

Use:

• mild liquid detergent
• gentle laundry detergent
• fragrance-free detergent (if odor-sensitive)

Avoid:

• bleach (unless fabric-safe and white-only)
• harsh stain removers
• powder detergent (can leave residue)
• fabric softener

Liquid detergent is often preferred because powder can stick in shoe fabric or seams if it doesn’t dissolve fully.

Step 8: Choose the Correct Wash Cycle

This is where many people go wrong.

Best washing machine settings for shoes:

• Cycle: Gentle / Delicate / Hand Wash
• Water temperature: Cold water
• Spin speed: Low spin
• Load size: Small or medium

Avoid:

• hot water
• heavy wash
• quick wash with strong spin
• hot rinse cycles

Why cold water?

Hot water can:

• loosen glue
• shrink fabric
• fade color
• deform shoe structure

Multiple manufacturers and care guides recommend cold water + gentle cycle to reduce shrinking, warping, and wear.