A washing machine is the fastest way to bring grubby sneakers back to life — but only if you treat them gently. Get it wrong and you can warp the shape, crack the glue or fade the colour. Get it right and they come out looking close to new. Here’s how.
First, can these shoes go in the machine?
Most canvas and synthetic runners are fine. Leather, suede, and dress shoes are not — wipe those by hand. As always, if there’s a care label, follow it.
Step by step
- Remove the laces and insoles. Wash laces in a mesh bag; clean insoles separately by hand, as they often don’t survive a machine and dryer.
- Knock off the loose dirt. Bang the soles together outside and brush off dried mud so it doesn’t clog the machine.
- Pre-treat stubborn marks with a little detergent and a soft brush.
- Bag them up. Pop the shoes in a mesh laundry bag, and add a few towels to the drum. The towels cushion the tumbling so your shoes aren’t slamming around — and keep the load balanced.
- Wash cold and gentle. Use a cold, gentle cycle, a mild detergent, and a low or no spin. Heat and harsh spinning are what cause damage.
Drying is where shoes get ruined — so air-dry
This is the most important step: don’t tumble-dry sneakers on heat. High heat melts glue, shrinks materials and distorts the shape. Instead:
- Stuff them with paper towel or newspaper to hold their shape and soak up moisture.
- Air-dry at room temperature, away from direct heat.
- In a hurry? A no-heat / air-only dryer setting is okay, but never hot.
Why do it at Fresh Lab?
Washing shoes at home throws grit and dirt into the machine you use for your clothes. At Fresh Lab you can keep that mess out of your own washer entirely — and use a machine that can handle it. Our modern Speed Queen machines let you adjust the cycle to a gentle wash, you tap to pay, and you can check what’s free first. Open 24/7 in Maylands, with 10% off through the app.