How to Wash Shoes in the Washing Machine: Safe Steps and Settings

Quick Discussion

How to wash shoes in the washing machine: check the care label, take out the laces and insoles, brush off dirt, and put the shoes in a mesh bag or tied pillowcase with a few old towels. Run a gentle cycle with cold water and liquid detergent, then air dry. Canvas, nylon, cotton and polyester shoes are the usual candidates (Whirlpool). Some makers, including Nike, do not recommend machine washing at all, so it is a risk you take on.

• Usually safest: canvas, nylon, cotton and polyester. Keep leather, suede, rubber, vinyl, cleats and beaded shoes out (Whirlpool).

• Settings: cold water, a gentle or delicates cycle, liquid detergent, and low spin or no spin (Whirlpool, Midea).

• Drying: air dry, stuffed with clean rags or paper towels. Nike says dryer heat can damage shoes.

• Brand reality: Nike does not recommend it and Converse says not to. Atoms says it is possible for Model 000, Model 001 and Kids 123 at your own risk (Atoms Help Center).

• If the pair is leather, suede, expensive or cannot be replaced, hand clean it instead.

On this page: Can you machine wash shoes? | Which shoes | Step by step | Settings | Without a mesh bag | White and tennis shoes | Drying | Dryer | What can go wrong | Hand washing | How often | Atoms shoes | FAQ

Can you put shoes in the washing machine?

Sometimes. Many canvas, mesh and fabric sneakers survive a gentle, cold wash, and appliance makers such as Whirlpool and Samsung publish steps for it. But Nike and Converse say not to do it, and CHOICE reports that Adidas and Asics also advise against it. Treat machine washing as a risk you accept, not a guarantee.

We checked guides from Whirlpool, Samsung and Midea, plus Nike, Converse and CHOICE. The washer makers give steps, while the shoe brands advise caution or say no. The simple rule: if the care label or the maker's site says no, believe it. If it says nothing, wash only shoes that fit the safe list below.

Which shoes can you wash in the washing machine?

Shoes made from canvas, nylon, cotton and polyester are usually the safest to machine wash (Whirlpool). Leather, suede, rubber, vinyl, shoes with cleats, and shoes with beading, embroidery or sequins should stay out (Whirlpool, Midea). If the care label says no, do not wash them in the machine.

Not sure what your pair is made of? Our shoe materials guide shows how to tell.

How to wash shoes in the washing machine, step by step

Check the label, take out the laces and insoles, brush off dirt, bag the shoes, add old towels, and run a cold, gentle cycle with liquid detergent. Then air dry them completely. These steps follow the washer makers' guides and cover most washable canvas and fabric pairs.

1. Check the care label or the maker's website. Samsung and Time both say to do this first.

2. Take out the laces and insoles. Whirlpool washes laces in a closed mesh bag and the insoles by hand.

3. Brush off loose dirt, using a toothbrush around the eyelets and seams (Midea). Pre-treat grimy spots with a little dish soap and a toothbrush (Time).

4. Put each shoe in its own mesh laundry bag, or in a pillowcase tied closed (Midea). Whirlpool also accepts a pillowcase in place of a mesh bag, and Samsung says the bag protects the washer tub.

5. Add a few old towels to balance the load (Whirlpool), and use old ones because new towels can leach dye. Samsung suggests washing only a couple of pairs at a time.

6. Add liquid detergent. Whirlpool and CHOICE say powder can get stuck, and Samsung says to avoid bleach and harsh chemicals.

7. Choose a gentle or delicates cycle with cold water and low or no spin (Whirlpool).

8. Take the shoes out and air dry them. Whirlpool says to stuff them with clean rags or paper towels, and that they can take a few days to dry.

9. Re-lace the shoes only when they are completely dry.

What settings should you use to wash shoes?

Use a gentle or delicates cycle, cold water, liquid detergent and the lowest spin your machine offers. Cold water helps protect color and glue, and fast spinning can bend shoes (Midea). CHOICE says front loaders tend to be gentler on shoes than top loaders with a central agitator, and Midea calls a front loader the safest choice.

How do you wash shoes in the washing machine without a mesh bag?

Use a pillowcase tied closed (Midea), and add old towels to the load. Whirlpool also accepts a pillowcase in place of a mesh bag. Skipping any bag is the riskier choice, because Samsung says the bag also protects the washer tub from the shoes.

• Knot the open end of the pillowcase or secure it with a clip or tie so a shoe cannot slip out.

• Put each shoe in its own pillowcase or bag (Midea).

• Add a few old towels to balance the load (Whirlpool) and cushion the shoes (Midea).

• Use the gentlest cycle you have, with cold water and low spin.

How do you wash white shoes and tennis shoes in the washing machine?

Use the same steps as for any washable pair, with extra care on the detergent. For white shoes, pre-treat marks by hand and skip chlorine bleach (Midea). Check your maker's advice on stain products first, because the guides do not agree on whether oxygen-based products are safe.

Midea says oxygen-based bleach can help on white shoes and chlorine bleach should be avoided. But the Atoms Help Center says not to use OxiClean or bleach on Atoms, because they can discolor white pairs. We would skip stain boosters unless the care label allows them.

Athletic and tennis shoes often use mesh and glued foam. Cleaning expert Melissa Maker, quoted by Time, says heat can melt the adhesive in shoes, so keep them away from the dryer and radiators. See our white shoe cleaning guide for hand methods by material.

How do you dry shoes after washing them?

Air dry them away from heat. Stuff them with clean rags or paper towels to absorb moisture and keep their shape, and expect it to take a few days (Whirlpool, Midea). Keep them off heaters (Converse, CHOICE) and out of direct sunlight (Atoms Help Center, Arm and Hammer).

• Stuff each shoe with clean rags or paper towels (Whirlpool). Arm and Hammer says to replace the stuffing if the shoes stay very wet.

• Dry the insoles separately (Tom's Guide).

• Keep shoes away from heaters and radiators. CHOICE says heat close enough to warp the fabric or rubber is a risk.

• Wait until the shoes are fully dry before you wear them or put the laces back in.

Creases can show up as the shoes dry. Our guide to getting creases out of shoes covers the safe fixes.

Can you put shoes in the dryer?

It is best not to. Nike says dryer heat can damage shoes and recommends air drying, and Atoms says never to machine dry its shoes (Atoms Help Center). Some guides allow a no-heat setting on a rack, but that is a risk you take on.

Whirlpool says canvas, cotton and polyester shoes can go in a dryer on a delicate setting with low or no heat, using a drying rack or a thick towel, and warns that high heat can shrink and damage them. Arm and Hammer says you generally should not put shoes in the dryer. If the label allows tumble drying, it says to use a mesh bag and a no-heat setting for about 20 minutes.

Midea describes an air-fluff setting with the shoes wrapped in old towels. If you try any of this, our advice is to check often and stop if you hear the shoes hitting the drum.

What can go wrong when you wash shoes in the washing machine?

Shoes can shrink, lose their shape, come unglued or fade, and a heavy pair can bang up the washer. Most of these risks come from heat, hard spinning and too much agitation. A bag, cold water and a gentle cycle cut the risk but do not remove it.

Is it better to wash shoes by hand or in the washing machine?

Hand washing is safer for most pairs, and it is the safer route for leather, suede and glued or embellished shoes. Nike says the best way to clean sneakers without damaging them is to brush them with a mild cleaning solution and air dry. Machine washing saves time but carries more risk.

1. Brush off loose dirt, and take out the laces and insoles.

2. Mix about two cups of water with ¼ teaspoon of dish soap (Whirlpool).

3. Scrub gently with a soft toothbrush or brush, working across the upper and the midsole.

4. Wipe the soap off with a clean, damp microfiber cloth, and air dry with the shoes stuffed.

Converse suggests testing the soapy water on the tongue first, and avoiding hair dryers and heaters. Our white shoe guide has hand methods for leather, suede and canvas.

How often should you wash your shoes?

Podiatrist Anne Sharkey, quoted by Time, says to wash shoes at least every couple of months, and daily sweaty athletic shoes might need it every couple of weeks. The same article cites research finding about 421,000 bacterial units on the outside of a shoe and nearly 3,000 on the inside. Washing is about hygiene as well as looks.

Time says machine washing can get rid of 90 to 99% of those bacteria, and that people should wash their hands after handling shoes. If odor is the problem, see our guide to how to deodorize shoes.

How do you wash Atoms shoes in the washing machine?

Atoms says machine washing is possible for Model 000, Model 001 and Kids 123 at your own risk, on a cold, gentle cycle (Atoms Help Center). Model 251 is not machine washable. Do not use OxiClean or bleach, and never machine dry. We make Atoms shoes, so this comes from our own Help Center, checked on October 7, 2026.

1. Use cold water and select a gentle cycle (Atoms Help Center).

2. Protect the shoes with a linen bag, a pillowcase or a few towels, and use shoe trees if you like to hold the shape (Atoms Help Center).

3. Skip OxiClean and bleach, which can discolor white Atoms (Atoms Help Center).

4. Air dry out of direct sunlight, and never use a machine dryer (Atoms Help Center).

5. If you use shoe trees on white pairs, choose natural ones or cover stained ones with socks, so the stain does not transfer (Atoms Help Center).

For light cleaning, Atoms suggests a soft-bristled brush with your preferred cleaning solution, then air drying (Atoms Help Center). Damage from cleaning and washing is not covered by the warranty (Atoms Help Center). See Model 000 and Model 001.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to wash my sneakers in the washing machine?

It can be, if they are canvas, mesh or fabric and the label allows it. Use a bag, cold water and a gentle cycle (Whirlpool). Nike does not recommend it, and Atoms will not replace Atoms shoes damaged by machine washing or drying (Atoms Help Center).

Do you have to put shoes in a pillowcase to wash them?

No, a mesh bag works too, but use one or the other. A bag protects the washer tub (Samsung) and cushions the shoes (Midea). Whirlpool accepts a pillowcase in place of a mesh bag, and Midea says to tie it closed.

What is the best way to wash a pair of shoes?

The gentlest way is by hand with a brush, mild soap and air drying (Nike). Use the machine only for washable canvas or fabric pairs, with a bag, cold water and a gentle cycle.

Can washing shoes ruin your washing machine?

It is unlikely if you use a mesh bag or pillowcase on a cold, gentle cycle (Whirlpool). Nike still warns that bulky items could damage the appliance, so add towels and do not overload the drum.

Should you wash shoes in hot or cold water?

Cold. Whirlpool says shoes may shrink on a hot cycle, and Midea says cold water helps protect color and glue.

Can you wash shoes with other laundry?

Wash them with old towels, not your good clothes. The towels balance the load (Whirlpool) and cushion the shoes (Midea). Converse points out that shoe soles have been to nasty places, so keep them away from bedding.

How long does it take shoes to dry after washing?

It can take a few days (Whirlpool, Midea). Stuffing them with clean rags or paper towels helps them dry and keep their shape.

Can you wash running shoes in the washing machine?

Check the label first. Running shoes often have glued foam and engineered mesh, and CHOICE says brands such as Nike, Adidas and Asics advise against machine washing. Hand cleaning is the safer choice.

Can you wash Converse in the washing machine?

Converse says not to put Chucks in the washing machine, because the spin cycle is tough on them. It suggests brushing with soapy water and air drying instead.

How do you clean shoes without a washing machine?

Brush off dirt, scrub with mild soap and water, wipe with a damp microfiber cloth, and air dry (Nike, Converse). Never use a hair dryer or heater to speed it up.

Sources

This guide draws on washing guides from Whirlpool, Samsung and Midea, an advice article from CHOICE, and Time's expert article on washing shoes.

It also uses care advice from Nike, Converse, Arm and Hammer and Tom's Guide, plus the Atoms Help Center articles on machine washing and cleaning.

Atoms publishes this guide and makes sneakers. We link each source where we use it.

Hassaan Sabih writes for the Atoms editorial team about footwear, materials and shoe care.

Updated October 7, 2026: added what shoe makers say, a material table, settings and risk tables, dryer guidance, Atoms washing instructions and an FAQ. Removed unsourced advice on white vinegar and color-safe bleach, and the medical-worker framing.

Looking for everyday sneakers with a 30-day US return policy? See Atoms shoes.