How to wash sneakers without ruining them (or your washing machine)

If you're looking up how to wash sneakers, we're going to guess it's pretty long overdue. Outta sight, outta mind — the minute you kick off your shoes by the door, it's hard to remember that they're looking a little crusty until you go to wear the again. Plus, washing your shoes is probably one of the last things on your to-do list, especially when there's a giant pile of laundry waiting in your room or dishes that have stacked up from a few nights ago.

You might be tempted to just throw your sneakers in the wash and hit send — but think again. Like some of your clothes, sneakers have to be washed with care and although some can go in the washing machine, others will get ruined even on the lightest cycle. Not to mention, you can kiss that warranty goodbye. 

Welp, with a few tips, some of the best shoe cleaner solutions, and a step-by-step guide, those sneakers you promised you'd take good care of this time can look new again.

Good to know

Time: About 1–2 hours to clean, 24–48 hours to dry

Difficulty: Easy

Helpful hints: Take a look at the material your shoe is made of. This is often on the tongue of the sneaker, the sole, or on the original box. (Check the website if you can't find it.) This will help you determine how to properly clean your sneakers and avoid ruining any finicky fabrics like suede.

Here's what you'll need

• Washing machine or a sink
• Mild laundry detergent or dish soap, Tide's Free & Gentle on Amazon is a personal fave
• A cloth bag or these Amazon #1 best-seller mesh zip-up laundry bags
• A soft cleaning brush — we dig this pick from Amazon
• 2-3 cleaning cloths, we always recommend Amazon's bestselling pack
• An oxi stain remover like this one from Amazon 
• Baking soda — Arm & Hammer's on Amazon is always our pick
• Cleaning paste, like the fan-favorite The Pink Stuff, which you can find on Amazon
• A towel

How to wash sneakers in the washing machine

Step 1: Figure out what your shoes are made of

Experts at Bosch explain that sneakers made out of leather or suede can't really deal with "water damage from being washed in a washing machine," but that synthetic materials "are more hard-wearing and can therefore withstand multiple washes in a washing machine."

Secondly, you'll need to decide whether washing sneakers in the washing machine is right for you, or whether it's best to stick to hand-washing. Generally, canvas tennis shoes and sneakers made from any other solid fabric are fine to go in the washing machine. But if your sneakers are made from mesh, or have a highly textured finish, you may find that hand washing will just give you better results. Double-check if the brand recommends it, too.

Step 2: Remove the laces and clean off as much dirt as possible

Start by removing the laces, then any dirt, stones, or crusty items stuck to the soles or uppers. A stray pebble can wreck a washing machine, and the cleaner the sneakers are when they go in, the cleaner they'll be when they come out. Use a soft cleaning brush or toothbrush and baking soda — our fave is Arm & Hammer — or a cleaning paste (such as The Pink Stuff ) to get in every nook and cranny. You can grab both from Amazon, FYI.

Step 3: Prep and put your sneakers in the washing machine

Next, load up the washing machine with old towels or jeans, and put the sneakers in a mesh laundry bag, cloth bag, or old pillowcase. 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.

Top tip: Do not use a lot of detergent in your washing machine when washing sneakers. They tend to create an excessive amount of foam, which can cause your washing machine to malfunction mid-cycle. Use about a third of the normal detergent amount.

Step 4: Allow your sneakers to dry

Whatever you do, don't throw your sneakers in the dryer after! They'll need time to air dry instead. Put them in a warm, dry room or pop them outside on a towel or newspaper, protected from rain or direct sunlight. A dehumidifier and extra towels can help speed up the process if you need them stat.

How to wash sneakers by hand

Looking to minimize any risk of ruined sneakers? Washing them by hand is your best bet. Here's how to wash sneakers by hand.

Step 1: Get your cleaning solution ready

Mix a small bowl of baking soda with a little water until it forms a paste. You can also purchase specialty shoe cleaners and solutions for sneakers and other footwear styles.

Step 2: Start scrubbing

Using a cleaning brush, like this cute Amazon kit, (or an old toothbrush) work your cleaning paste or solution into your sneakers, being careful of any suede patches. If your sneakers are extremely dirty, you can leave the solution to soak for an hour or two, then repeat the process to get them clean. If there are stains, a cleaning paste works wonders on grimy rubber soles. 

Step 3: Fill your sink or tub

Get the warm water running and fill up your sink or bathtub. Then rinse the sneakers  well, using the cleaning brush to remove additional dirt. Use the faucet or showerhead to rinse the soap and leftover dirt particles off.

Step 4: Dry your sneakers

Squeeze out excess water from the fabric if your shoes are flexible. If the sneakers are stiffer, use a clean towel to squeeze and pat them dry. Then air dry them outside if the weather is nice. It may take a day or two, sometimes longer depending on the material.   

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