Washing shoes: How to get your shoes clean again

Clean shoes look better, smell nicer and last longer. Whether they’re everyday trainers, trail running shoes or wellies, with the right method you can remove dirt, mud and odours without damaging the material or compromising the fit. In this article, you’ll find out which shoes can go in the washing machine, when hand washing is better, and what you should bear in mind when drying and looking after them.

Quick check: Can I put my shoes in the washing machine?

Whether you can wash shoes in the washing machine depends primarily on the material, the construction and the manufacturer’s instructions. As a general rule: sturdy textile and mesh shoes can sometimes be machine-washed. Delicate materials such as leather, suede, membranes, heavily glued constructions or shoes with special cushioning are best cleaned by hand.

Always check the care label or the manufacturer’s instructions before washing. If this information is missing, hand washing is the safer option. This protects the material, adhesives, cushioning and fit. The following table gives you a quick overview:

Shoe type / Upper material	Suitable for machine washing?	Recommended alternative
Smooth leather	No	Wipe with a damp cloth, use a leather cleaner if necessary, then treat with a leather care cream or wax and reproof.
Suede and nubuck	No	Remove dry dirt with a suede brush, treat stains with a specialist cleaner, then buff the surface after drying and waterproof.
Durable fabric and mesh	In some cases, only if approved by the manufacturer	Clean by hand using lukewarm water, a soft brush and a mild detergent.
Delicate mesh	Best avoided	Clean carefully by hand to preserve the structure of the material.
Shoes with a membrane	Only with the manufacturer’s express approval	Hand wash using a suitable functional cleaner. Then waterproof according to the material and manufacturer’s instructions.
Synthetics and coated fabrics	Only if approved by the manufacturer	Clean by hand using lukewarm water, a soft brush and a mild detergent.
Rubber, EVA and plastic	Rarely necessary	Clean with water and mild soap, then allow to dry thoroughly.
Shoes with sensitive cushioning	Best avoided	Clean by hand to preserve the cushioning, bonding and fit.

Tip: Hiking boots require different care to classic trainers. If you want to clean your outdoor or trekking boots, you’ll find suitable instructions here: Cleaning hiking boots. You shouldn’t simply pop climbing shoes in the washing machine either. They have a particularly delicate construction and can lose their fit due to heat, water and agitation. You can find out more here: Washing climbing shoes.

Before every clean, it’s worth doing a quick check: Are the seams, glued joints and sole edges intact? Open seams, loose glue or tears can be made worse by water and movement. In this case, you should have the shoes repaired first or, alternatively, clean them gently by hand.

How to wash shoes in the washing machine: a step-by-step guide

If your trainers, plimsolls or sports shoes are machine-washable, it’s best to proceed with care. This reduces the risk of damage to the material, the sole or the washing machine. The following step-by-step guide shows you what to look out for:

1. Remove coarse dirt

Before putting your shoes in the washing machine, you should prepare them thoroughly so that dirt doesn’t end up in the washing machine unnecessarily and your shoes get cleaned more evenly. Pay attention to the following points:

• Knock out any soil, sand and small stones
• Remove coarse dirt with a brush
• Wipe the sole with a damp cloth
• Fasten hook-and-loop closures

2. Remove the laces and insoles

Before washing, also remove the laces and insoles from your shoes. This ensures the shoes are cleaned more evenly and allows the individual parts to dry more effectively afterwards. You can wash the laces separately in a small laundry bag. Insoles, on the other hand, are best washed by hand, as they may become misshapen or lose their cushioning in the washing machine.

3. Pre-treat stains

You can treat heavily soiled areas with a little water and a soft brush before washing. For stubborn stains, a mild detergent or mild soap will help. However, do not scrub too vigorously, so as not to damage the upper material.

4. Put your shoes in a laundry bag

Next, place your shoes in a mesh laundry bag or an old pillowcase. This prevents them from banging against the drum unprotected. You can also add a few old towels to the machine. This dampens the movement and protects both the shoes and the washing machine. It’s best to wash only one pair of shoes per wash cycle. This ensures the shoes are cleaned more evenly and reduces the strain on the material and the drum.

5. Choose the right wash cycle

When washing your trainers, plimsolls and sports shoes, it’s best to use the gentlest programme possible. The following are usually suitable:

• Delicates
• Easy-care programme
• Sports cycle
• Short cycle at a low temperature

Important: It is best to wash your shoes at cold to a maximum of 30 °C. Higher temperatures can damage the adhesive, cushioning or material.

6. Set a low spin speed

At what spin speed should you wash shoes? It’s best to select a low spin speed or switch off the spin cycle altogether. As a guide: 600 to 800 RPM is usually sufficient. It’s even gentler if you wash your shoes without spinning at all. Although shoes absorb a lot of water, vigorous spinning can alter their shape or put strain on the adhesives.

7. Use a mild detergent

Use only a small amount of mild liquid detergent. Powder can leave residues that later appear as light-coloured marks on the material. You should avoid fabric softener, as it can damage materials and affect the cushioning. For technical footwear, such as shoes with a membrane or water-repellent features, you can use a suitable technical detergent. Always follow the shoe’s care instructions and use the detergent sparingly.

8. Dry your shoes properly

After washing, your shoes should be left to air-dry slowly. It’s best to stuff them with kitchen roll or a clean cloth so that they retain their shape and the moisture is absorbed more effectively. Newspaper works too, but may cause colour transfer on light-coloured materials. Change the paper or cloth regularly until the shoes are completely dry.

Important: shoes should not be put in the tumble dryer or placed directly on a radiator. Excessive heat can cause adhesives to come loose, deform soles or make the material brittle. You can find further tips on how to dry your shoes properly here: Drying shoes.

9. Aftercare and waterproofing

After cleaning, it’s worth refreshing the protective layer on your shoes. A suitable waterproofing treatment can help repel water and dirt more effectively and support the performance of the upper material.

Cleaning shoes by hand: the gentle alternative

Not all shoes belong in the washing machine. Often, a thorough hand wash is perfectly sufficient and is usually the safer option. It is particularly suitable for delicate materials, such as leather, sports shoes with cushioning, or any other shoes where you’re unsure. Here’s how to clean your shoes by hand:

• Preparation: Tap out any coarse dirt and remove soil, sand or small stones with a brush. Then remove the laces and insoles.
• Prepare the cleaning solution: Mix lukewarm water with a little mild soap or mild liquid detergent. For technical footwear, it is best to use a suitable technical cleaner. For heavily soiled soles, a little washing-up liquid can help, but use it sparingly.
• Cleaning the sole: You can clean the tread with a slightly stiffer brush. Make sure to remove any small stones from the tread as well.
• Cleaning the upper: Clean the upper with a sponge, cloth or soft brush. Work carefully and treat stains only where necessary. It’s best to test any cleaner on an inconspicuous area first to ensure the material doesn’t fade, become stained or change in any way.
• Cleaning the interior: Wipe the inner lining with a damp cloth and a little mild cleaner. Clean the insoles separately by hand and rinse them thoroughly.
• Rinsing: Remove any soap residue with clean water. Residue can cause the material to harden or lead to unpleasant odours.
• Drying and reshaping: Gently press out any excess water with a cloth; do not wring it out. Loosely stuff the shoes with kitchen roll or a clean cloth and leave them to air dry slowly.

Important: Hand cleaning is essential, particularly for leather shoes. Smooth leather should only be wiped with a damp cloth and then treated with a suitable leather care product. Suede and nubuck are best cleaned dry using a special brush, and the material should be refreshed once dry.

Solving common problems: avoiding odours, salt marks and discolouration

Sometimes, despite cleaning, unpleasant odours, stubborn stains or light-coloured marks remain. With a few simple steps, you can tackle many of these issues without putting unnecessary strain on the material. Here’s a brief overview:

• Neutralising odours: Remove the insoles, clean them separately and leave them to dry completely. You should also air out the shoes thoroughly. For mild odours, it can help to sprinkle a little bicarbonate of soda or baking powder into the shoes overnight and then shake it out thoroughly or vacuum it up the next day. For sports shoes, specialised odour removers may also be useful. For shoes with membranes, you should check beforehand whether the product is suitable for the material.
• Removing salt and mud stains: You should wipe off any salt residue as soon as possible with a damp cloth. For textile and synthetic shoes, lukewarm water with a little mild detergent will help. Rinse thoroughly with clean water afterwards to ensure no residue remains. For leather shoes, it’s best to use a suitable leather cleaner and then treat the material with an appropriate leather care product.
• Avoiding discolouration: If the material fades, becomes patchy or darkens significantly after cleaning, the cleaner was probably too harsh or used in too high a concentration. In future, use milder products, less cleaner, and always test new products on a concealed area first.

Tip for white trainers: White trainers are best cleaned by hand using a mild cleaner. You can carefully treat stubborn greyish stains with a little bicarbonate of soda paste. However, test it on an inconspicuous area first, rinse thoroughly and do not leave the shoes to dry in direct sunlight to prevent the material from yellowing.

Conclusion: Washing shoes

Washing shoes properly isn’t difficult at all if you know what material you’re dealing with. Trainers, canvas shoes and simple sports shoes can often be washed in the washing machine. It’s important to use a gentle cycle, a maximum temperature of 30°C, a small amount of detergent, a laundry bag and a low spin speed. Leather shoes, hiking boots, climbing shoes and delicate sports shoes, on the other hand, should not be washed in the washing machine. Hand washing is the better option in this case. As a result, your shoes will keep their shape for longer and be nice and clean for everyday use, training and your next adventure.

Frequently asked questions about washing shoes