Is it possible to wash shoes in a washing machine? Yes, you may save time and work by washing your shoes in the washing machine to keep your favorite sneakers clean and ready to use. Not sure where to begin? To keep your family looking sharp, use this tutorial to learn how to wash sneakers and other types of shoes.
Which shoes may be washed in a machine?
It's generally safe to wash shoes made of fabrics like canvas, nylon, cotton, and polyester in a washing machine. Laundry detergent shouldn't harm these materials as they are strong. Learn what to do if the shoes or clothing you are wearing has oil or grease stains. Check the shoe's care instructions for suggested washing instructions before you start cleaning.
While certain shoes may be washed in a machine, many other footwear varieties need to be cleaned by hand or given extra attention. You shouldn't wash shoes made of leather, suede, rubber, or vinyl in your washer.
Take your shoes to a shoe repair and cleaning specialist to prevent damage if they are made of delicate material (like silk) or include beading, embroidery, sequins, or other embellishments. Make sure it's okay to wash your shoes in the washing by checking your care instructions twice.
A step-by-step tutorial on how to wash shoes in your washing machine
It's not difficult to wash shoes in a washing machine, but it does require some preparation. Check your shoes' care and cleaning instructions to make sure they can go in the washer and dryer before you start. Next, make sure you have access to the following equipment and supplies:
Equipments needed
- A rag or soft brush, like an old toothbrush
- A sponge
- Old towels
Supplies needed
- Liquid laundry detergent
- Baking soda
- A mesh garment bag
- Shoe cleaner
Estimated time
It takes between 45 and an hour to wash your shoes in the washing machine on the delicate cycle. Remember that for a thorough dry, shoes will also need to air dry for at least one night.
Once you have all of your supplies ready, follow the instructions below to start cleaning your shoes. Prior to washing your shoes, be sure to follow the care recommendations.
Step 1. Take off the insoles and laces.
Start by taking off your shoes' laces and/or insoles.
Step 2. Clean the laces.
Laces should be washed in a mesh garment bag that is tightly zipped to prevent them from being tangled or wrapped around any drum components. Laundry detergent and a soft brush can be used to hand scrub the laces if the stains are really tough.
Step 3. Hand-wash the insoles.
Unless otherwise instructed in the care instructions, wash your insoles by hand. Your insoles can become waterlogged after being machine washed, in which case drying could take several days. If your insoles cannot be machine washed, you can still clean and freshen them:
- Using a gentle brush or towel and mildly soapy water to clean them.
- To remove as much of the surplus moisture as you can, use a sponge.
- The insoles are sprinkled with baking soda, then left to soak up any remaining moisture and deodorize throughout the night.
- Morning brushing off the baking soda.
You can reinstall the insoles in your shoes once they have dried.
Step 4. Tidy up the soles
Use a soft brush to remove as much of the extra mud or debris from the bottoms of your shoes as you can. To carefully remove trash from confined spaces, you can also use a toothbrush or toothpicks. Once the filth has been eliminated, you can use a soft brush or rag to apply shoe cleaning to erase scuff marks. Apply the cleanser sparingly to the scratches, then wipe them away with a moist cloth.
Step 5. The shoes should be put in a mesh garment bag.
Put your shoes in a mesh garment bag after cleaning the soles to prevent them from jarring around in the washer.
Step 6. Assemble the load
Put the bag and a couple used towels in the washing machine to help balance the load. Make sure the towels are old; fresher towels may absorb extra colour, staining your shoes.
Step 7. Clean the shoes.
Set the slow or no-spin option on your washing machine's delicate, cold water cycle. Because powder detergent can become caught in the shoes if it doesn't dissolve correctly, use liquid detergent or laundry pods.
Step 8. Drying the footwear
Remove your shoes and laces from the mesh garment bags after the wash cycle is over, and let them air dry. To absorb extra moisture and help preserve the form as they dry, fill your shoes with clean rags or paper towels. Put your shoes somewhere that will get plenty of sunlight, if you can. The drying process may be accelerated as a result.
It could take a few days for your shoes to dry by itself, and using a dryer is not advised because the heat and tumbling might deform or harm your shoes. However, if your appliance has a dryer rack, like in this Whirlpool electric dryer, you can utilize it in an emergency. This rack fastens into the drum and remains there the entire cycle. To use, wrap your shoes in a pair of old towels to keep them safe, then dry them using the delicate or air fluff option on your dryer. To make sure your shoes are not harmed by the warm air or tumbling, stop the cycle regularly.
Step 9. Put the insoles back in.
Reinstall the insoles in your shoes and retighten the laces after everything has dried. All that's left to do is leave in your brand-new shoes!
How can I wash my shoes without ruining them?
To find out if the material in your shoes can be machine washed, see the care instructions. In that case, take off the laces and wash the insoles separately. After that, put your machine-washable shoes in a closed garment bag and wash them in cold water on a gentle cycle. After this cycle, let them dry naturally.
Some shoe kinds should only be hand washed or brushed. These kinds of shoes must never be washed in a washing machine to preserve their brand-new appearance and avoid damage:
- Leather
- Suede
- Vinyl
- Rubber
Take your dressier shoes to a shoe repair shop or specialist to keep them in good condition for weddings and other formal events if they have delicate fabrics, embroidery, or sequins.
Will shoes cause the washer to malfunction?
If you wash shoes in a mesh garment bag or pillowcase on a cold, soft cycle, they won't likely harm the washer. This helps keep them from violently toppling about the drum and harming it.
In the washing machine, do shoes shrink?
If you wash shoes in the washing machine with hot water, they could shrink. Always adhere to the care guidelines while cleaning your shoes. In order to avoid shrinkage and damage, shoes should generally be washed on a cold, moderate cycle.
Your shoes should air dry overnight after washing. Your shoes may shrink and sustain damage if they are exposed to high heat in the dryer.
Can I wash sneakers in the same load as clothes?
When washing your shoes, it is advised to add a few used towels or clothes to the drum to assist balance the load. Use older towels and clothing to avoid color stains and transfers that can happen with newer fabrics.
How should I adjust the washing machine to wash shoes?
Use a slow or no-spin setting on a gentle, cold water cycle to wash your shoes. Do not forget to remove the laces and insoles before putting them in a zipped mesh bag. This keeps your favorite sneakers in good condition and shields your washer from harm. When in doubt, look for precise washing directions on the care tag.
Do you need to clean any additional accessories now that you know how to wash shoes? Backpacks, pillows, and comforters can all be securely laundered to restore them to new condition and make them use again.
