Smelly Sneakers? Wash Dirty Sneakers in a Washer or by Hand (2024)

How to Wash Sneakers Without a Washing Machine

1. Remove Laces and Insoles

   Remove the shoelaces and wash them separately by hand or add them to the mesh laundry bag before tossing the shoes in the washer. Remove any detachable insoles. Hand wash the insoles separately or replace them if necessary.

   

2. Pretreat Stains and Remove Loose Soil

   Rinse off any mud and dirt with a garden hose or in a utility sink before putting them in the washer. Using a dab of detergent and a soft-bristled brush, work at the stain or let it sit for 15 minutes to break up the soil before adding the shoes to the washer.

   

3. Choose Your Cleaning Products

   Use an enzyme-based laundry detergent that contains the necessary ingredients to break the bond between stain molecules and the sneaker fabric. If white sneakers are looking dingy, add a scoop of powderedoxygen-based bleachto the washer drum.
   

   See Also

   How to Wash Shoes: A Complete Guide

   Tip

   If you haveathlete's footor another fungus, add adisinfectantto the wash water. Follow product directions for the correct amount to add per load.

   

4. Select Your Washing Machine Settings

   Select the warm or coldwater temperature and thegentle cycleto help prevent damage to the soles of the shoes. Make sure your spin speed is set to slow so that your washing machine will not become off-balance during the cycle.

5. Wash the Sneakers

   Pull up the tongue of the laces so that the cleaning solution can easily reach every surface. Place the sneakers (and laces) in a mesh laundry bag before adding them to the washer. They can be washed with similar-colored and similar-weight laundry like towels orjeans.

   

6. Dry the Sneakers

   Remove the sneakers when washer stops and air-dry them in a spot away from direct sunlight and heat. To speed up the drying time, stuff the sneakers with microfiber towels for about an hour to help absorb moisture. Remove the towels and allow the sneakers to finish drying.

   Tip

   Never place shoes in a hot automatic clothes dryer. The heat can melt the glue that holds the elements of the shoe together.

   

How to Wash Sneakers Without a Machine

1. Prep Sneakers and Mix a Cleaning Solution

   • Remove the laces and wash by hand in a bowl with a few drops of detergent.
   • Rinse off any mud or loose soil from the sneakers.
   • Use a dab of detergent to pretreat visible stains. Work the detergent into the stain with a soft-bristled brush. Allow it to sit for at least 15 minutes to dissolve the soil.
   • Mix a solution of one teaspoon of liquid laundry detergent with one gallon of warm water in a sink or plastic tub.
     

   

2. Hand Wash the Sneakers

   • Submerge the sneakers in the soapy solution and allow them to soak for about 15 minutes.
   • Dip a microfiber cloth in the detergent solution and use it to scrub the outside and inside of the sneakers.
   • Use a melamine sponge (such as Mr. Clean Eraser) if the edges of the soles are very dirty, to remove scuff marks from the rubber.

   

3. Rinse and Dry

   • Empty the sink or tub of the cleaning solution and refill with cool water.
   • Rinse the sneakers, changing the water if necessary, until no more suds appear.
   • Rinse the laces and allow the sneakers and laces to air dry away from harsh sunlight and direct heat.
     

   

Care and Repair of Your Favorite Sneakers

Before you begin, don't forget to read the care tag: Some sneakers should only be spot-cleaned and not submerged in water for extended periods which may loosen the glues used in construction.

It's not recommended to place sneakers in a hot dryer. High temperatures can melt some of the glues used in construction. If you must tumble dry, use the lowest heat setting or no heat if possible. If your sneakers have any type of suede or leather trim or have been treated with a water-repellent, they should not be washed in a washing machine—hand-wash theminstead. Hand-wash any shoes embellished with trim, beading, orrope soles.

Sometimes sneakers are in need of small repair. You can use shoe glue to re-attach separating soles or an adhesive such as shoe goo to patch holes. If all else fails, consult with a shoe repair service.

How Often to Wash Sneakers

How often to wash sneakers depends on where and how often you wear them. Stains should be removed immediately by spot cleaning or washing the sneakers. For sneakers worn only occasionally, give them a good cleaning at least once per season and spot-clean any specific stains. Sneakers worn multiple times weekly should be cleaned every other week in the washer or by hand to keep them smelling fresh.

Additional Tips for Washing Sneakers

There are a few rules you should follow to ensure successful sneaker washing:

• To help sneakers—especially canvas ones—retain their shape while they dry, stuff the toes with microfiber towels, nylon mesh, or paper towels depending on what you have on hand. Change out frequently as they absorb moisture.
• Add one cup ofbaking sodato the washer drum or one-half cup to the hand-washing solution to help combat sneaker odor.
• Sneakers should be fully dry before wearing them—this can take as long as two days.
• Never use fabric softener when washing sneakers. It may leave a residue that attracts soil or discolors the sneaker.