Can You Put Shoes In The Washer and Dryer?

When your shoes are dirty, but you’re hesitant to put shoes in the washer and dryer. We’re glad you stopped by because there are some factors to consider first. In this blog, WDC Reps will outline the answer in detail, so keep reading for all you need to know before you decide to put your shoes in the washing machine, and takes you through a quick guide to washing and drying your shoes at home.

What Kind of Shoes Are Suitable For Washers?

Before putting your shoes in the washing machine, you need to know if your shoes are suitable for machine washing. Let’s take a look.

Types of Shoes Suitable For Washer

Canvas Shoes: Shoes made of canvas such as Vans, Converse, etc.

Sneakers: Most running shoes and training shoes (but please avoid washing leather and suede shoes in the washing machine).

Tennis Shoes: Such as Adidas Ultra Boost, Nike Flyknit, etc.

Types of Shoes Not Suitable For Washer

Leather Shoes: Leather shoes include genuine leather and artificial leather, which need to be hand washed to ensure that the leather is not damaged.

Suede Shoes: Suede materials are easily damaged and deformed, and need to be washed with a small amount of water. To learn how to wash suede shoes, you can read this blog.

Customized or Decorated Shoes: If there are a lot of decorations, sequins, embroidery, etc., these need to be washed by hand in a more gentle way, or taken to a professional cleaning store.

How to Wash Shoes In Washing Machine?

Washing shoes in a washing machine is convenient, but it requires careful preparation and the right method to avoid damaging both the shoes and the washing machine. Here are 7 steps for washing shoes in washing machine:

Step 1: Check the tags

Before you put shoes in the washer, check the tags, which are usually found under the tongue of the shoe, or the manufacturer’s website for recommended cleaning steps. Make sure the shoe type and material are fit for the washer.

Step 2: Remove the insoles and laces before washing

Remove laces and insoles from your shoes. Laces can get tangled in the washing machine, and many insoles are fragile, so it’s best to remove them. You can wash your laces in a mesh garment bag with your sneakers. Or wash them separately, scrubbing them by hand with dish soap or liquid detergent and a soft brush or rag, and letting them air dry completely before putting them back in your shoes.

Step 3: Remove dirt from the surface of your shoes

Before putting your shoes in the washing machine, you can use a soft brush or damp cloth to remove dirt and impurities from the surface of the shoes, and clean any dirt or debris from the soles.

Step 4: Protect your shoes and washing machine

Putting your shoes in a laundry bag can prevent them from colliding with each other and getting damaged in the washing machine. You can wash them with some old towels, which can reduce the collision between the shoes and the wall of the washing machine, play a protective role, and ensure that the shoes will not be affected by the staining of the new towels.

Step 5: Select washing machine settings

When washing shoes in a washing machine, remember that a cold water wash cycle on a gentle wash cycle is best, which will help protect your shoes from damage. Just make sure you don’t use powder detergents, which can fail to dissolve completely and stay on the surface of the shoes. Make sure to use liquid detergents instead.

Step 6: Dry your shoes

After the wash cycle is over, it’s time to dry your shoes. But we still have one question left, can you put your shoes in the dryer?

The answer is no. Don’t put your shoes in the dryer because the temperature of the dryer will make the glue in the shoes ineffective. High temperatures can even cause certain fabrics or materials to shrink, permanently deforming the shoes and affecting the fit and performance of the shoes.

The correct way to dry your shoes is to find a cool, sunny, and well-ventilated area and place them there. You can also stuff a few small towels inside the shoes to help them maintain their shape while drying. If you need to speed up the drying process, you can use a fan or hair dryer to blow on the shoes. Once your shoes are clean and dry, you can add the soles and laces back in.

Frequently Asked Questions About Washing Shoes in Washer

Do I need to add disinfectant to the washing process?

This is a matter of personal preference. If your shoes are particularly pungent and you are prone to fungal infections such as athlete’s foot, it is wise to add disinfectant to the washing process. To prevent nasty bacteria and fungi, try adding a pine oil disinfectant at the beginning of the washing process. The disinfectant needs to contain at least 80% pine oil, and you need to run the washing machine on a warm water cycle to be effective.

Does the washing machine have odors or residual dirt after washing shoes?

It is possible that mud and dirt from shoes may remain in the washing machine, causing odors. Before washing shoes, we can clean the dirt on the surface and soles of the shoes to minimize the pollution of the washing machine. After washing shoes, we need to clean the washing machine, especially the inner drum and filter, and perform an empty wash after washing shoes to clean the inside of the washing machine.

Will the color of shoes washed in a washing machine fade or stain?

Some shoe materials may fade or stain each other, especially when dark and light shoes are washed together. If you don’t take any measures, they are very likely to stain each other. We can wash with cold water and add anti-color laundry tablets in the washing machine to avoid mixing shoes of different colors, especially shoes of bright colors.

Will the decorations on the shoes fall off?

The decorations on the shoes are easy to fall off under the agitation of the washing machine. Therefore, it is not recommended to machine wash shoes with decorations, please choose to wash by hand.

What should I do if the shoes become hard after washing?

Some shoe materials will become hard after washing. After washing, spray a little softener inside the shoes, or gently knead the shoes by hand to restore their softness.

In Summary

With guidance from WDC Reps, you can judge whether your shoes are suitable for machine washing. Following the above machine washing steps, you can safely put your shoes in the washing machine to wash and keep them beautiful and comfortable for a long time.

WDC Reps cares about your shoes. We not only sell premium replica shoes, but also provide you with professional services and guidance. If you are looking for high-quality rep shoes, welcome to visit our online shoe store **WDC REPS**. We will provide you with professional pre-sales and after-sales services to help you find the ideal replica brand shoes and care solutions.