If you're looking at how to wash sneakers in the washing machine, they probably really do need a good scrub to restore their original colors and freshness. It's true that you don't need to clean sneakers, tennis shoes, or trainers – and footwear in general – nearly as much as your clothes, but regular wear does result in shoes that look (and smell) less than fresh.
Before you even think about plunging your (dirty) white sneakers into your best washing machine, take a minute, because if you rush and get it wrong, you could wreck them.
How to wash sneakers in the washing machine
Just when you thought that doing laundry couldn't get any more complicated...
Heavy sneakers can break drum paddles, especially on cheaper washing machines, so you need to get the method right. Experts at Bosch explain more, 'Shoes that are made from animal products such as leather or suede can sustain water damage from being washed in a washing machine. On the other hand, trainers that are made from synthetic materials like nylon and polyester are more hard-wearing and can therefore withstand multiple washes in a washing machine.'
So, while we suggest you approach with caution, read on to see how to give them a good wash.
Now, the big question is how to wash sneakers and tennis shoes in the washer. If you're determined to put them in the washing machine, we'd recommend first checking whether the manufacturer recommends it (Nike and Adidas generally don't).
If you get the thumbs up, the biggest mistake you can make is to just sling them in, especially if you want to return your shoes for some reason as it will erase the warranty.
First, you need to prepare them – and the washing machine. Here's how:
- Start by removing the laces, then any dirt, stones or anything stuck to the soles with a soft brush and then a damp cloth. Why do this? A stray pebble can wreck a washing machine, and the cleaner the trainers are when they go in, the cleaner they'll be when they come out. Experts at Persil explain more, 'Getting rid of as much dirt as possible to begin with will prevent any of it seeping further into the fabric or making your washing water too muddy.' We'd recommend cleaning a washing machine beforehand anyhow.
- Next, load up the washing machine with old towels or jeans, and put the sneakers in a shoe bag that's designed to go in the machine. This will reduce the impact of the sneakers on the washing machine drum. Choose a delicate cycle and a slow spin speed to minimize damage, too. Can't get your hands on a sneaker bag? A cloth bag with a tie top will do instead. Or, if you don't have a shoe bag, you can leave the laces in the shoes and trap them in the door as you shut it. This, too, will stop the trainers from bashing against the drum when it spins.
- Want to play it safe? After you've removed surface dirt, mix washing detergent in warm water then use a toothbrush to gently brush it into the sneakers, starting on the insides, before moving to the soles. Refresh the water and detergent mix and tackle the upper parts of the shoes. Wipe off the excess with an e-cloth.
- As for drying your tennis shoes, this, too, is important: don't put them in a tumble dryer. Unless, of course, you like your shoes two sizes smaller and misshapen. Instead, leave them to air-dry in a warm, dry and – if outside – shady spot (we'd only put them in direct sunlight if they're all-white. If you want to speed up the drying process, a dehumidifier will help; otherwise, stuff the sneakers with paper towels (and change it for fresh paper every couple of hours).
- Sneakers still smelly after all that? Sprinkle baking soda inside them and leave them over night. The next day, shake them out and you should be good to go.
How to wash sneakers: by hand
How to wash sneakers safely? Doing so by hand is by far the best method, both for your shoes and your washing machine.
Here's how to wash sneakers by hand:
- Mix a small bowl of baking soda with a little water until it forms a paste. Alternatively you can use a cheap whitening toothpaste. Check out more baking soda cleaning tips.
- Using an old toothbrush or (clean) shoe cleaning brush, work the paste into the trainers, both inside and out. Leave for a few hours. For stubborn stains, use a dedicated stain removal powder like OxiClean.
- Fill your bathtub up to a quarter with warm water; rinse the sneakers vigorously in the tub, aiding the rinsing with water from the tap or shower.
- Wring them out as much as is possible (easier with flexi-sole or knitted) trainers. Air outside in dry weather for a minimum of two days – 72 hours is best.
How to dry sneakers
Now you know how to wash sneakers without ruining them, we'll walk you through drying them. As with washing, make sure you read the care label for the best course of action.
It's pretty rare to find a pair of sneakers that can go in the tumble dryer without repercussions, so we'll err on the side of caution and suggest you hang your shoes to air dry, avoiding direct sunlight to maintain color. If you don't have outside access, hang them in a warm dry place with a window open. Grab yourself a great clothes airer from our buyer's guide.
Experts Laundrapp also suggest, 'If you’re in a hurry to wear them again, try stuffing them with clean paper towels to absorb the moisture.'
Do I have to wash sneakers on a cold cycle?
Not really. You've probably read online that trainers have to be washed on cold, but this isn't really true. In fact, a cold wash is highly unlikely to get rid of tough stains. As a general rule, if your trainers are white, they can safely be wash on a 40°C cycle. If they are bright-colored or dark, it's best to stick to 30°C.
Can you wash Nike sneakers in the washing machine?
Nike do not recommend washing their trainers in the washing machine. However, we have – with mixed results. The biggest problem with washing Nikes in a washing machine isn't that they'll get damaged, but that they won't necessarily come out much cleaner than before. This especially applies to the Flyknit range and anything made from texture fabric. These are best washed by hand.
