How to wash shoes in a washing machine
You'll most likely wear your favourite shoes every day and this means subjecting them to wear and tear. Street dirt, water stains and other marks can make them look old and over time impact your comfort. It's advisable to clean your shoes regularly, but what should you do when your shoes can no longer be cleaned with a shoe brush and a cloth or you find the unpleasant odour of your sports shoes won't go away? This guide shows how to keep your shoes in great condition for longer-lasting use.
Can I wash shoes in the washing machine?
To remove stubborn dirt, stains and unpleasant odours from shoes, a wash cycle in the washing machine seems appealing, but most manufacturers advise against washing shoes in this way. The high temperatures and moisture can cause adhesives to loosen, seams to swell or soles to disintegrate. Washing shoes in the washing machine is therefore always at your own risk. In general, only shoes made of fabric and synthetic materials can be machine washed without damage.
Shoe model | Suitable for the washing machine | Special features |
|---|---|---|
High Heels | No | Heels can break off and/or damage the machine |
Leather shoes | No | Heels can break off and/or damage the machine |
Sports shoes | Yes | Sports shoes with cushioning in the sole should not be machine washed |
Cloth shoes | Yes | Shoes with metal applications such as rivets must not be put in the machine |
Sneakers/Trainers | Yes | Shoes with metal applications such as rivets must not be put in the machine |
Hand washing your shoes
If a machine wash isn't an option, you can also try washing them by hand. This is gentler and gives you more control, allowing you to stop immediately if the material reacts badly.
Six tips for washing trainers in the machine
Gym shoes are particularly suitable for machine washing as they are usually made from durable synthetic fibres and have a robust finish. If airing and brushing are no longer sufficient to remove odours and dirt, you can try washing these shoes in the machine, but a few basic rules should be observed to ensure that the shoe is not damaged during machine washing.
Tip 1 – Select the wash programme and temperature carefully
When washing trainers, you should select the gentlest possible wash cycle at a low wash temperature. 30 °C is completely sufficient and prevents adhesives from loosening or the shoe from shrinking. A delicate or gentle wash cycle and the wool wash cycle are also suitable washing programmes – these are particularly gentle on the material. The spin cycle should also be minimised and the lowest spin speed selected.
Tip 2 – Use the right detergent
A heavy-duty or mild detergent is the right choice for gently cleaning shoes. If the shoes are made of white fabric, a white detergent can also be used to make the colour shine even brighter. When loading the detergent, the motto is: less is more. Fabric softener should not be used when washing trainers in the machine as it can damage the fabric, especially the areas where glue has been used.
Tip 3 – Prepare shoes correctly
Before the shoes go into the machine for washing, a few preparations need to be made. Laces, insoles and all other loose elements must be removed beforehand. Remove coarse dirt from the surface and sole with a shoe brush, toothbrush or wipe it off with a damp cloth so that it does not collect in the washing machine and block it. To protect the shoes, they can be packed in a garment bag or pillowcase. This also makes it easy to wash the removed laces.
Tip 4 – Load the machine carefully
Shoes should never be put in the washing machine on their own. The fast rotations cause the shoes to hit the inside of the drum and can damage the machine. Towels and bed sheets can be added to the washing machine with your shoes to prevent this from happening. Place your shoes in a garment bag to prevent them damaging your other items of laundry.
Tip 5 – Dry shoes properly
Once the shoes have survived the washing machine undamaged, they need to be dried properly. This is the only way to ensure that they retain their shape and do not develop mould stains or similar. Avoid exposing them to direct heat from a heater or hair dryer. Instead, the trainers should ideally be dried at room temperature. To avoid deformation, a shoe tree or newspaper can be inserted into the shoe. Newspaper also has the advantage of absorbing water, which speeds up the drying process. If possible, shoes should not be put in the tumble dryer.
Tip 6 – Keep your shoes waterproof.
Shoes only stay waterproof at cold temperatures and up to a certain amount of water, so it's important that after washing you let your shoes dry and apply waterproofing spray to keep your footwear watertight.
Keep up with your shoe care
In general, shoes should be well cared for so that they last a long time and look good. Dirt and mud should be removed as soon as possible after wearing them, before it settles into the fibres. Regular airing and alternating between different shoes helps to minimise odours. Shoe polish keeps the material soft so that it does not become brittle and dirt cannot settle in the creases.
My white shoes are yellow after washing: what can I do?
If your white shoes have a yellow tinge after washing, this is usually due to the glue that has come loose and stuck to the fabric. This is why special care is required when washing white trainers. A mixture of baking soda and washing-up liquid can help to remove the yellow colour from the shoe: A 1:1 mixture is applied to the shoe with a toothbrush and removed with a damp cloth after a short exposure time to revive the brilliant white of your shoes.
