How to Wash Shoes in a Washing Machine So They're Like New Again

A pair of scuffed-up shoes can ruin the look of an outfit. Frustrating, yes—but before you banish them from your closet, know that your shoes may have a lot of life still left in them. Before you give up on them entirely, try cleaning them first. You might be surprised by the results. And if the particular pair is machine-washable, cleaning your shoes can be as simple as hitting a few buttons.

We turned to our laundry experts for the safest way to wash shoes in a washing machine that will have them looking like new again.

How to Know If Your Shoes Are Machine-Washable

To make sure your shoes can be washed in the washing machine, always check for a label inside the shoe or read the manufacturer’s care instructions. (You can usually find this by searching for the particular brand and style online.)

Avoid machine washing porous materials like leather and suede—though a bit of leather trim is usually OK. Think dress leather loafers vs. canvas trainers, like Converse or Vans.

Materials Needed

• Mesh laundry bag or old pillowcase
• Clean cloth and/or dry nylon brush
• Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (optional)
• Sanitizing spray
• Laundry detergent
• Old towels
• Chlorine or oxygen bleach (optional)
• Paper towels (optional)

When washing in the machine, use a pH-neutral detergent if possible, advises Ceconi—preferably one made with laundry enzymes that break down and remove stains and odors. If the shoes are bleach-safe, he recommends using oxygenated bleach to whiten and brighten shoes. "Oxygen bleach uses warm water and oxygen molecules to lift out dirt and stains," Ceconi says.

He also advises using a front-loading machine when possible. “If you don’t have a front loader, we really recommend driving to the laundromat,” says Ceconi.

Don't Miss

How to Clean White Canvas, Suede, Leather, or Mesh Shoes So They Look Brand New Again

How to Clean Suede Shoes and Boots at Home—and Keep Them Looking Great

How to Wash Shoes in a Washing Machine

Once you've confirmed that it's safe to give your shoes a whirl in the washer, gather the necessary materials and proceed with the following instructions.

1. Remove the Laces and Insoles, if Possible

As appliance and washing machine expert Lee Gilbert notes, "Laces can get tangled, and insoles are often delicate." Either wash both by hand or machine-wash the laces with the shoes once they've been removed. If the shoelaces are beyond repair, they should be replaced.

2. Brush Away Any Obvious Dirt

Using a damp cloth or dry nylon brush, wipe away any loose mud or grit. “I’ve seen too many machines clogged with debris because overly soiled trainers have been put into the washing machine without this step being carried out,” warns Gilbert.

3. Consider a Magic Eraser or Fabric Stain Remover

To pretreat tough stains on canvas shoes, a fabric stain remover or a Magic Eraser can be implemented, says Tom Ceconi, president of Heritage Park Laundry Essentials. However, these should be used sparingly and tested on an inconspicuous area first.

Take special care when spot cleaning, too: "When shoe manufacturers don't recommend machine washing, they often recommend spot cleaning," notes cleaning expert Mary Gagliardi. But, depending on the soil or stain and how old the shoes are, the method can leave a noticeably cleaner area relative to the rest of the shoes. "The solution is to treat the entire shoe," she shares.

4. Prepare Shoes and Washer

Insert the shoes and shoelaces into a mesh laundry bag or old pillow case and close it securely. Add the bag to your washer along with a couple of old towels. “This keeps them from banging around too much,” says Ceconi. The machine can also become unbalanced without this addition, adds Gilbert.

5. Run the Wash Cycle

If you have a particularly dirty cloth or canvas pair of shoes that are entirely white, you can add a 1:1 solution of water and bleach to the load. "Wait until the washer fills and pour in through the detergent dispenser," instructs Ceconi.

Otherwise, proceed adding detergent and run the wash cycle on the delicate cycle and cold water setting. 

6. Clean the Insoles

While the wash is running, take care of those removed insoles. Gagliardi suggests spraying them with a sanitizer spray and then scrubbing gently with a nylon brush.

7. Air Dry

High dryer heat can damage shoes, so letting them air dry is usually the way to go. "The heat of the dryer isn’t good for the fabric or rubber bottoms," explains Ceconi.

Try stuffing each shoe with a few paper towels and placing them away from sunlight in a warm, ventilated room—or even outdoors on a warm day in the shade. The delicate laces and insoles also require air drying. A fan can speed up the drying process.