Sneakers in the washing machine: how to do it safely

Freshening up your sneakers in the washing machine can work well—if you know what you’re doing. Not every shoe and material tolerates water, heat and friction. Here you’ll learn exactly which materials are suitable, how to prevent damage to soles, glue and cushioning, what temperature to use, which program to choose, and how to dry sneakers safely. Includes a step-by-step guide and tips for white, canvas and sports shoes.

Which sneakers can go in the washing machine?

Whether your sneakers can be machine-washed mainly depends on the upper material and construction.

• Fabric and canvas sneakers – often suitable. Think canvas trainers and models like Converse All Stars or Vans in canvas.
• Knit and textiles such as knit/flyknit – usually possible, as long as there are no leather overlays and you use a low temperature.
• Synthetic sneakers without leather or suede – often okay, provided soles are well stitched or heat-bonded and glue joints are limited.

Always check the care label or the brand’s care page. Unsure about Adidas Stan Smith, New Balance or Puma models with textile panels? Default to hand-washing if there’s leather or suede involved, or if the manufacturer advises against machine washing.

Shoes you should not machine-wash

Some materials and constructions don’t handle machine washing well. Choose manual cleaning here.

• Leather sneakers – water and detergent can dry out leather and cause cracking.
• Suede and nubuck – can discolor, harden and lose their texture.
• Sneakers with air chambers or visible Air units (e.g., Nike Air Max) – risk of water entering the units and delamination.
• Lots of glue and fragile overlays – heat and friction can dissolve glue and make soles separate.
• Memory foam insoles and some Skechers models – risk of deformation and trapped moisture.
• Designer or premium sneakers (e.g., Yeezy) – too much risk of permanent damage and color bleed.

Working with white leather sneakers or suede? Avoid the washing machine. Use a mild cleaner and care products for leather or suede, then protect with a spray afterwards. For suede, follow this guide: clean suede sneakers (not machine wash). Want to freshen up white sneakers without the machine? See clean white sneakers without a washing machine.

Don’t want to take risks or dealing with premium pairs? Consider having your sneakers cleaned by a professional.

Step-by-step: washing sneakers in the machine

1. Pretreat – Tap out sand and brush off dry dirt. Pre-clean stains with lukewarm water and a drop of mild soap.
2. Remove parts – Take out laces and insoles. Laces can go in a mesh bag; clean insoles by hand. Are your laces discolored or worn? Choose new shoelaces for a fresh look.
3. Protect – Put sneakers in a laundry bag or pillowcase. Add 2–3 old towels to cushion impacts and protect the drum.
4. Detergent – Use liquid detergent sparingly. No fabric softener and no powder to avoid residue and marks.
5. Program – Choose sports, delicate or wool cycle with cold or max 30 °C/86 °F and low spin. See below for temperature details.
6. Wash – Start the cycle and check immediately afterwards for any loosened dirt. Don’t repeat unnecessarily.
7. Dry – Never tumble dry or place on a radiator. Air-dry at room temperature; see drying tips below.

Temperature and program

Too much heat is the fastest way to warping, discoloration and failing glue. Stick to these guidelines:

• Temperature – standard max 30 °C/86 °F. For sensitive knits, cold wash is even better.
• Spin – low spin or off to limit impacts.
• Program – sports, delicate or wool cycle with extra water and gentle drum action.
• Extra tip – tackling odor? Clean insoles separately by hand and let them dry fully before reinserting.

Drying after washing

Drying determines whether your sneakers keep their shape and stay odor-free.

• Air-dry – place on a rack at room temperature, out of direct sunlight.
• Keep shape – stuff the toe box with kitchen paper or unprinted newspaper. Replace the paper hourly for the first 3 hours.
• Avoid heat – no radiator, hairdryer or tumble dryer. Heat can deform rubber and weaken glue.
• Patience – allow about 24 hours; knits and textiles typically dry faster than thick canvas.

Prefer cleaning by hand

Hand-washing is the safest choice for leather, suede and premium sneakers, and often for knit sneakers with many glue joints. Follow the guide for step-by-step cleaning (instead of machine washing).

• What you need – lukewarm water, mild soap or sneaker cleaner, soft brush, microfiber cloth, eraser or suede brush for suede, or pick a sneaker cleaning kit.
• Upper cleaning – brush gently in circles with mild suds. Work from clean to dirty and avoid soaking materials.
• Soles and edges – use a slightly firmer brush for midsoles and outsoles. Wipe down with a lightly damp cloth.
• Laces and insoles – laces in a mesh bag on low temperature or hand-wash. Insoles only with a lightly damp cloth and some soap, then let dry thoroughly.
• Protect – after drying, apply a protective spray for sneakers for leather, textile or suede to repel dirt and water.

Freshen white sneakers without a washing machine? Mix a drop of mild soap with lukewarm water, gently brush away stains and blot with a clean cloth. Tackle stubborn midsole edges with an eraser or a dedicated midsole cleaner.

FAQ

Can you wash white sneakers in the washing machine?

Only if they’re canvas or textile and the brand allows machine washing. Wash cold or up to 30 °C/86 °F, use a small amount of liquid detergent and air-dry. White leather sneakers are better cleaned by hand to prevent discoloration and drying out.

Can a Nike Air Max go in the washing machine?

Better not. Air units and glue bonds can be damaged by heat and friction. Clean by hand: gently brush the upper, wipe the soles and let the insoles dry separately. This reduces the risk of delamination and discoloration.

Are Skechers machine-washable?

It depends on the model. Some textile Skechers can be washed at 30 °C/86 °F, but versions with memory foam or leather are better not. Check the care label or product page. When in doubt, choose hand-washing.

What temperature should you use to wash sneakers?

Max 30 °C/86 °F. Colder is safer for glue and color. Combine with a delicate or sports cycle, low spin, a laundry bag and liquid detergent without fabric softener.

How do you dry washed sneakers?

Always air-dry, out of the sun and away from heat sources. Fill the toes with paper to keep shape and replace it during the first hours. Avoid dryer, radiator and hairdryer to prevent warping.