Quick answer: Most sneakers shouldn't go in the washing machine. Leather, suede, nubuck and performance running shoes can lose their shape, finish and glue when they're soaked and tumbled. Some plain canvas or cotton sneakers can handle a cold, gentle cycle if the care label allows it, but hand cleaning with a brush and shoe cleaner is gentler on every material and takes about 15 minutes. If you do machine wash, take out the laces and insoles, use cold water and a gentle cycle, and always air dry. Never use the dryer.
- Short answer: usually no
- Safer option: 15-minute hand clean
- Never: the dryer
Jump to: What you'll need · Steps · Mistakes to avoid · FAQ
Can it go in the washer? By material
| Material | Machine wash? | Do this instead |
|---|---|---|
| Leather (sneakers, boots, dress shoes) | No | Hand clean with the Essential Kit. Leather guide |
| Suede and nubuck | Never | Dry clean first, then foam and a soft brush. Suede guide |
| Running shoes (mesh, knit, foam midsoles) | Not recommended | Foam and a soft brush. Running shoe guide |
| Plain canvas or cotton (Chucks, Vans) | Only if the label allows | Hand cleaning avoids water rings. Canvas guide |
| Anything with glued soles, leather trim or memory foam | No | Hand clean each material with the right brush |
| Hats | No | Hand clean the hat |
Always check the shoe brand's care label first. If it says no machine washing, or there's no label, hand clean.
Why the washing machine is risky
- Soaking: a full wash cycle pushes water deep into foam, padding and the glue line between the upper and the sole.
- Tumbling: shoes bang around the drum, which can scuff the finish, crease the toe and deform the heel.
- Heat: hot water and the dryer soften adhesives and can warp rubber and foam.
- Detergent: leftover soap can dry into dull or yellowish marks on white fabric.
- Leather and suede: water and agitation can stiffen, crack or discolor them.
If you machine wash anyway: 6 rules
- Check the care label. If it says no, or there isn't one, hand clean.
- Take out the laces and insoles, and brush off dry dirt first.
- Put the shoes in a mesh laundry bag or pillowcase with a few towels to cushion them.
- Use cold water, a gentle or delicate cycle and a small amount of mild detergent. No bleach, no fabric softener.
- Skip the spin if you can, then press out the water with a towel.
- Air dry at room temperature, stuffed with paper towels. Never use the dryer.
What you'll need

Essential Kit
Concentrated Deep Cleaning Solution plus the stiff Durables brush for leather, rubber and plastic.
Shop now Essential Kit
Quick Clean Kit
Ready-To-Use Foam Cleaner with the soft Delicates brush, for cotton, knits, leather, suede and more.
Shop now Quick Clean Kit
Premium Microfiber Towels 3-Pack
Absorbs up to 7 times its weight in water and leaves a lint-free finish.
Shop now Premium Microfiber Towels 3-PackUse the soft Delicates brush (Quick Clean Kit) on canvas, mesh, knit, suede and premium leather, and the stiff Durables brush (Essential Kit) on rubber soles and durable leather. You'll also need a small bowl of room-temperature water.

Skip the washer for good
The Care Kit
Ready-To-Use Foam, the soft Delicates brush, Repel Spray to protect after cleaning and Quick Wipes for touch-ups. Everything for the hand clean below, in one box.
Shop the Care KitThe better way: hand clean in about 15 minutes
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Prep
Remove the laces and insoles. Knock off dried mud, then dry brush the uppers with a soft brush and the soles with a stiff one.
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Load the brush
Dip the brush in a bowl of room-temperature water and add a few drops of Deep Cleaning Solution to the bristles. Or pump Ready-To-Use Foam straight onto the brush, no water needed.
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Scrub the uppers
Use light, circular strokes across each whole panel. Use the soft Delicates brush on fabric, mesh, knit and premium leather. Suede and nubuck need their own dry-first method: see how to clean suede shoes.
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Scrub the midsoles and outsoles
Switch to the stiff Durables brush with a little more solution for the rubber, where most of the visible dirt lives.
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Wipe it out
Dab and twist a Premium Microfiber Towel into the material to lift the dirty foam and water. Wipe the soles clean.
Clean the laces
Scrub the laces with a little solution on the brush and rinse them, or wash them on their own in a mesh laundry bag.
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Air dry, then protect
Stuff the shoes with paper towels and let them air dry at room temperature, away from heat. When they're fully dry, mist on Repel Spray to help keep the next mess from soaking in.
Wash by hand, not by machine
The Essential Kit's concentrated Deep Cleaning Solution and stiff Durables brush handle leather, rubber and plastic. Add the soft Delicates brush for fabric and knit.
Shop the Essential KitMistakes to avoid
- Using the dryer. Dryer heat is the fastest way to warp soles and weaken glue. Air dry only.
- Hot water. Use cold or room-temperature water. Heat softens adhesives.
- Bleach or too much detergent. Bleach can yellow and weaken fabric, and leftover detergent can dry into dull marks. Use a small amount of mild detergent.
- Washing leather, suede or nubuck in the machine. These need to be cleaned by hand.
- Skipping the label. Some brands say machine washing is OK for specific models. Many don't. The label wins.
Keep them out of the washer
The easiest way to avoid deep cleans is to stop dirt from setting in. Repel creates a breathable barrier that protects against liquid and dirt, and Quick Wipes take care of scuffs on leather, rubber and plastic the day they happen.

Repel Spray
A durable, breathable barrier that dries clear and protects against liquid and dirt. PFAS-free.
Shop now Repel Spray
Quick Wipes 30 Pack
Individually packed, plant-based wipes for scuffs and spills on the go. Not for suede or nubuck.
Shop now Quick Wipes 30 PackFAQ
Can I put my Nike, Adidas or running shoes in the washing machine?
Follow the brand's care instructions for your specific pair. Performance running shoes in particular rely on glued foam and shaped uppers, so we recommend hand cleaning them instead.
Can you put shoes in the dryer?
No. Dryer heat can warp rubber, shrink uppers and weaken the glue that holds the sole on. Let shoes air dry at room temperature, stuffed with paper towels.
How do I dry sneakers fast without a dryer?
Press out as much water as you can with a microfiber towel, stuff the shoes with paper towels and swap them when they're damp, take out the insoles, and put the shoes somewhere with good airflow, like in front of a fan.
Can I wash white canvas sneakers in the machine?
If the label allows it, use cold water, a gentle cycle and a mesh bag, then air dry out of the sun. Hand cleaning gives you more control over water rings. See how to clean canvas shoes.
Can I machine wash shoelaces and insoles?
Laces can go in a mesh laundry bag on a cold, gentle cycle. Insoles are better hand cleaned with a little solution and a soft brush, then left to dry completely before you put them back.
What about hats?
Keep hats out of the washer and the dishwasher too. Here's how to clean a baseball hat by hand.