Shoes in the washing machine: what can and can't be done?

Putting your shoes in the washing machine: is it possible? We’ll explain to you what exactly is possible and what is not. After all, you can't just wash all types of shoes in the washing machine. It may clean them, but it could also destroy them in the process.

Whether the washing machine is your last resort or this just seems quicker and easier than cleaning them by hand: we’ll explain what to do and what not to do. Some materials and types of shoes can easily be damaged, so are not suitable for this. There are however a few types that are completely safe to clean using the washing machine.

Which types of shoes can go in the washing machine?

Which types of shoes can go in the washing machine? If you choose the right washing programme, temperature and right speed of the spin cycle, you can safely wash canvas shoes in the washing machine. These shoes are made of the same fabric that a lot of clothing is also made out of.

Keep in mind that especially the soles of the shoes are the most fragile. Use a laundry bag, for instance, and add enough clothes or towels in the machine. This will prevent excessive force being put on the shoes and soles, due to spinning as well as shaking back and forth. This is why you only choose to wash the shoes in the washing machine when it is no longer possible to get them clean in any other way.

These shoes definitely cannot be machine-washed:

The following types of shoes are not suitable to be washed using the washing machine. Doing this may result in irreversible damage. That’s why we consider it to not be worth the risk.

Leather shoes

Leather isn’t supposed to get wet. Afterwards when your shoes have dried up, the will look incredibly ugly. Washing leather shoes creates a layer on the material that eventually causes it to dry out and harden.

Suede shoes

Suede shoes are not suitable for being cleaned with the use of too much water. In the washing machine they’d become soaked and this would affect the structure of the material. This will leave your shoes clean, but they definitely won’t be looking as beautiful anymore as when you first bought them.

Shoes in the washing machine: choose the right wash programme

You’ve determined it’s safe to do, so you decided on washing your shoes in the washing machine. Now, how do you go about it? You can safely proceed by the following 5 practical steps and tips:

1. Prepare your shoes properly

Before putting your shoes in the washing machine, it is important to prepare them properly beforehand. You cannot wash them in the machine until you have removed the laces. You should also remove other loose parts and then put them in a laundry bag or a pillow case if you don’t own one. This will prevent them from being subjected to too much friction, which could cause the sole to come loose, for example.

2. Choose the right temperature

Note that shoes do not include a washing label, as it isn’t very common to wash them in the washing machine. This doesn’t mean you can just pick any washing program or start experimenting with different ones!

Set the washing machine to a maximum of 30 degrees. This prevents the temperature from being too high, which could cause the fabric on the shoes to shrink. A low temperature is enough to soak off the dirt and make sure your shoes come out looking like new again.

3. Start the right programme

On the washing machine, choose a programme for delicate laundry or possibly an eco programme if the machine has one. In these cases, the spin cycle won’t be set too fast so that your shoes get a gentle treatment. This will prevent too much shock and other influences, which could damage the sole or lead to other problems. Instead, wash your shoes gently and carefully to get them clean just right.

4. Beware of using too much detergent

The washing machine is all about soaking your shoes in water to loosen the dirt. You don't need too much detergent to make this happen. Moreover, there is no need to use any fabric softener at all. That usually does more harm than good. Use the detergent (extra) sparingly. You can manually polish the shoes a little further with the help of a brush to clean the last few stubborn spots off.

5. Do not spin-dry too fast

During spinning, your shoes have to endure a lot. This is why you should choose a speed that is not too high, such as 800 rpm. This is fast enough to get rid of most of the water and moisture. By doing so, you avoid heavy spinning, which could easily break your shoes in the process.