Trainers, canvas pumps and many running shoes can be cleaned in a washing machine, and done properly it is quicker and more thorough than scrubbing them by hand. Done badly, it can damage both the shoes and your machine. Follow these steps.
Check the shoes first
Canvas, cotton, polyester and most mesh trainers are fine to machine wash. Keep leather, suede, patent, shoes with glued-on decorations, and anything with a hard heel or wooden sole out of the drum. If the care label or manufacturer says hand wash only, follow it.
Prepare them
- Knock off loose mud and grit outside, then brush the soles with an old toothbrush. Stones and dried mud are what damage drums and pump filters.
- Remove the laces and insoles. Wash the laces in a mesh bag and clean insoles by hand, as they can lose their shape in the machine.
- Put the shoes in a pillowcase or mesh laundry bag.
Load the machine
Add a couple of old towels to the drum. They cushion the shoes, stop them banging around and help balance the load so the machine spins evenly. Never wash shoes on their own.
Choose the right settings
- Temperature: 30°C or a cold wash. Heat can soften glues and shrink fabric.
- Cycle: delicate, wool or hand-wash programme.
- Spin: low, or no spin at all if your machine allows it.
- Detergent: a small amount of liquid detergent. Powder can get trapped in mesh, and fabric conditioner can break down the materials.
Some washing machines have a dedicated trainer or sports-shoe programme that handles all of this automatically.
Dry them slowly
Stuff the shoes with newspaper or kitchen roll to hold their shape and soak up moisture, then leave them somewhere airy at room temperature. Keep them out of the tumble dryer and away from radiators, which can warp soles and melt adhesives.
Look after the machine afterwards
Check the drum and door seal for grit, and empty the pump filter if your machine has an accessible one. If your washing machine starts making grinding noises or will not drain after washing shoes, something may be caught in the pump, and our washing machine repair service can clear it.