Can I Ignore It?Can I Use It With…

Laundry · Shoe Care

Can I Put Shoes in a Washing Machine?

FootwearShoesFootwear made from mixed materials
Something else…

What else can go in the washing machine?

inApplianceWashing MachineAppliance that washes laundry

YES, WITH LIMITS

Safe only under specific conditions. The conditions are the answer.

Yes, but only if the maker marks that exact pair as machine-washable and your washer manual does not prohibit shoes. Keep leather, suede, nubuck, cleated, embellished, light-up, or otherwise unapproved shoes out. For an approved pair, remove loose debris, laces, and removable insoles, use a wash bag with old towels, follow the listed cycle, and air-dry completely.

Compatibility summary

  • Can I use them together?Only under conditions
  • Main riskSeparation or distortion
  • What gets damagedShoes and washer
  • InsteadGentle hand cleaning

See the conditions

The conditions

Fine to do

  • The exact shoe label, packaging, or product page identifies the pair as machine-washable.
  • The washing machine manual does not prohibit shoes or restrict that type of load.
  • Remove loose mud and stones, then take out the laces and any removable insoles before washing.
  • Use a mesh bag or pillowcase with old towels, follow the shoe maker’s cycle instructions, and air-dry completely.

Never do

  • Never machine-wash shoes when their care instructions require hand cleaning or cannot be found.
  • Never put leather, suede, or nubuck shoes in the washer.
  • Never machine-wash cleated, embellished, light-up, or delicate shoes unless their exact instructions allow it.
  • Never ignore a washer manual that excludes shoes, even when the shoes carry a machine-washable label.
  • Never leave gravel, loose hardware, or removable parts inside the shoes during the cycle.

Why those conditions exist

  1. Materials absorb water

    Leather and suede can absorb moisture and lose their finish, texture, or shape. Approved canvas and synthetic pairs tolerate washing because the complete shoe was made for that cleaning method.

  2. Agitation strains construction

    Tumbling repeatedly flexes glued layers, foam, and fastenings. Unapproved shoes can separate, deform, or shed trim inside the machine.

  3. Soles strike the drum

    A loose pair can thump against the drum and shift the load off balance. A bag and old towels reduce free movement, but they do not override a washer prohibition.

Material Is Not Permission

A fabric or mesh upper makes a shoe look washer-safe, but the upper is only one part. Dyes, foam, glued layers, trims, and built-in electronics can have different care limits.

Brand rules vary, and washer rules vary too. A machine-washable mark on the exact pair plus a washer manual that allows the load is the reliable combination. Without that, hand-clean the shoes.

Sources

Reviewed 1 September 2026 · Reviewed shoe materials, wash labels, adhesive and fastening risks, load control, and washer exclusions against current manufacturer guidance.