How to Wash Shoes in a Washing Machine Without Ruining Them

Your white sneakers aren't white anymore. Your gym shoes smell like they've been fermenting. Your kids' school shoes look like they've been through a mud run — because they have. You know the washing machine could fix all of this in 30 minutes, but you've heard the horror stories: warped soles, shredded mesh, banging that sounds like someone's thrown a brick in the drum.

Here's the truth — you absolutely can wash shoes in a washing machine, and it works brilliantly. But only if you do it right. The difference between shoes that come out looking brand new and shoes that come out destroyed almost always comes down to one thing: whether you used a shoe washing bag.

In this guide, we'll walk you through exactly how to wash shoes in a washing machine safely, which shoes can and can't be machine washed, the step-by-step process, and why the ProWash Shoe Protection Bag from Simplify Australia makes the whole process foolproof.

Why You Need a Shoe Washing Bag

Throwing loose shoes into a washing machine creates three problems:

1. Physical damage to the shoes. Without protection, shoes slam against the drum wall, agitator, and door glass with every rotation. This can crack soles, tear mesh panels, bend shoe structures, and damage glued seams. A shoe laundry bag cushions the shoes and prevents them from being thrown around inside the drum.

2. Damage to your washing machine. Shoes are heavy and rigid compared to clothing. A pair of runners bouncing freely inside the drum can dent the drum wall, crack the door seal on front loaders, and put unnecessary stress on the bearings and suspension. According to appliance manufacturer guidelines referenced by Choice Australia, washing heavy or rigid items without proper protection can contribute to premature machine wear.

3. Noise. Even if nothing breaks, the sound of shoes tumbling freely in a washing machine is loud enough to hear from three rooms away. A washing machine shoe bag eliminates the banging entirely by containing the shoes in a padded, mesh enclosure.

A proper shoe washing bag solves all three problems. It's the difference between machine washing being a reliable cleaning method and a gamble.

Which Shoes Can You Machine Wash?

Before you load anything into the drum, you need to know which shoes are safe to machine wash and which aren't.

Safe to Machine Wash (With a Shoe Washing Bag)

• Canvas sneakers — Converse, Vans, and similar canvas shoes clean up beautifully
• Mesh running shoes — most Nike, Adidas, New Balance, and ASICS runners are machine washable
• Synthetic trainers — gym shoes, cross-trainers, and workout shoes made from synthetic materials
• Kids' school shoes (synthetic) — most modern school shoes with synthetic uppers handle machine washing well
• Slides and rubber sandals — Crocs, Birkenstock EVA, and similar rubber or foam footwear
• Fabric slip-ons — casual fabric shoes without rigid internal structures

Do NOT Machine Wash

• Leather shoes or boots — water and agitation will warp, crack, and permanently damage leather
• Suede or nubuck — water stains suede instantly and ruins the nap
• Dress shoes — structured shoes with internal stiffeners, cardboard insoles, or delicate linings
• Heels — the rigid structure and adhesives won't survive a wash cycle
• Steel-cap work boots — too heavy, too rigid, and the internal steel can damage the drum
• Shoes with embellishments — sequins, beads, rhinestones, or glued-on decorations will come off

When in doubt, check the care label inside the shoe. If there's no label, err on the side of caution with leather, suede, and anything with a rigid internal structure.

Step-by-Step: How to Wash Shoes in a Washing Machine

Here's the complete method for machine washing shoes safely using a shoe wash bag:

Step 1: Remove Laces and Insoles

Take out the laces and insoles before washing. Laces can tangle around the agitator or other items, and insoles clean better when washed separately. You can place the laces inside the shoe laundry bag alongside the shoes, or wash them in a small delicates bag.

Step 2: Knock Off Loose Dirt

Bang the soles together over a bin or outside to remove loose mud, gravel, and debris. Use an old toothbrush or dry brush to clear caked-on dirt from the tread and around the sole edges. The cleaner the shoes are going in, the better the wash results.

Step 3: Place Shoes in the Shoe Washing Bag

Put both shoes into the ProWash Shoe Protection Bag and zip it closed. The bag should hold the shoes snugly without compressing them. The mesh allows water and detergent to flow through while the padded structure prevents the shoes from slamming against the drum.

Step 4: Add Towels for Balance

Place 2–3 old towels in the drum alongside the bagged shoes. This serves two purposes: it balances the load (preventing the machine from vibrating excessively) and it provides additional cushioning. Don't use your best towels — dye or dirt from the shoes may transfer.

Step 5: Set the Right Cycle

Use a cold water, gentle or delicate cycle. Hot water can dissolve adhesives, warp thermoplastic soles, and cause colours to bleed. A gentle cycle uses slower spin speeds, which reduces the force on the shoes and the machine.

Step 6: Use the Right Detergent

Use a standard liquid laundry detergent — not powder (which can leave residue in mesh and crevices). Use the normal amount. Skip the fabric softener — it can leave a coating on synthetic materials that actually attracts more dirt.

Step 7: Air Dry Only

Never put shoes in the dryer. The heat will warp soles, shrink uppers, and degrade adhesives. Instead, stuff the shoes loosely with newspaper or paper towel to absorb moisture and hold their shape, then leave them in a well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight. Most shoes will be fully dry within 12–24 hours.

Why the ProWash Shoe Protection Bag Is the Best Shoe Washing Bag in Australia

Not all shoe washing bags are created equal. Cheap mesh bags from discount stores are essentially just drawstring laundry bags — they contain the shoes but don't protect them. Here's what sets the ProWash Shoe Protection Bag apart:

Padded construction. The ProWash isn't just a mesh sack — it has a structured, padded design that cushions shoes during the wash cycle. This is what prevents sole cracking, mesh tearing, and seam separation.

Durable zip closure. A secure zip keeps the bag closed throughout the cycle. Drawstring bags can come open mid-wash, defeating the entire purpose. The ProWash zip is reinforced to withstand repeated wash cycles without failing.

Optimised mesh flow. The mesh panel sizing is engineered to allow full water and detergent penetration while keeping shoes contained. Cheap bags often use mesh that's either too fine (restricting water flow and leaving shoes poorly cleaned) or too coarse (offering no protection).

Reusable and long-lasting. This is a reusable shoe washing bag designed for hundreds of wash cycles — not a disposable product. Machine wash the bag itself periodically to keep it fresh.

Fits most shoe sizes. The bag accommodates sneakers, runners, and casual shoes up to men's size 13, making it suitable for the whole family.

6 Common Mistakes People Make When Washing Shoes in the Machine

Mistake 1: Washing Without a Bag

This is the number-one cause of shoe damage in the washing machine. Without a shoe protector washing bag, shoes slam against the drum with every rotation. The banging alone should tell you something's wrong — that's the sound of your shoes (and your machine) taking a beating.

Mistake 2: Using Hot Water

Hot water is the enemy of modern shoes. Most sneakers and runners are assembled with heat-activated adhesives — the same heat that bonds them can loosen them. Thermoplastic soles can soften and warp. Colours can bleed. Always use cold water.

Mistake 3: Using the Regular Cycle

A normal or heavy-duty cycle spins too fast and agitates too aggressively for shoes. Always select gentle, delicate, or hand-wash cycle. The slower spin speed protects both the shoes and the drum.

Mistake 4: Putting Shoes in the Dryer

This deserves repeating because it's the second most common cause of ruined shoes after washing without a bag. Dryer heat warps, shrinks, and degrades. Air dry only — every time, no exceptions.

Mistake 5: Washing Leather or Suede

No sneaker washing bag in the world will protect leather or suede from water damage. These materials need specialist cleaning. If you're unsure, check the upper material before washing.

Mistake 6: Overloading the Machine

One pair of shoes per wash is ideal. Two pairs maximum in a large-capacity machine, each in their own washing machine bag for sneakers. More than that and you're overloading the drum, reducing cleaning effectiveness, and increasing the risk of damage.

Beyond Sneakers: Other Uses for a Shoe Laundry Bag

The ProWash Shoe Protection Bag is designed for shoes, but customers have found it useful for other items that need protected machine washing:

• Hats and caps — structured caps clean well in a shoe bag without losing their shape
• Small stuffed toys — kids' soft toys that need a hygienic wash but are too delicate for a loose cycle
• Shin guards and sports pads — sweaty protective gear that needs a thorough wash without banging around
• Bras and delicates — the padded structure protects underwire and padding better than a standard delicates bag
• Small bags and pouches — pencil cases, cosmetic bags, and small backpacks

If it's too structured or delicate for a loose wash cycle but needs more than a hand wash, a shoe care laundry bag is often the perfect solution.

How Often Should You Machine Wash Your Shoes?

Frequency depends on use:

Weekly — gym shoes and running shoes worn for sweaty workouts. Bacteria and odour build up fast in athletic footwear, and regular washing keeps them hygienic.

Fortnightly to monthly — daily-wear sneakers and casual shoes. This keeps them looking fresh without excessive wear from washing.

As needed — kids' school shoes (after mud, sports days, or visible grime), white sneakers (when discolouration becomes noticeable), and seasonal shoes before storing them.

A quality sneaker protection bag like the ProWash means you can wash shoes regularly without worrying about cumulative damage from repeated cycles.

Browse Our Full Range of Home Products

The ProWash Shoe Protection Bag is just one of the practical, everyday products we carry at Simplify Australia. Check out our other bestsellers:

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Ready to Give Your Shoes a Proper Clean?

Stop hand-scrubbing dirty sneakers in the sink. The ProWash Shoe Protection Bag lets you machine wash your shoes safely — no damage to your shoes, no damage to your machine, and no more excuses for wearing dirty kicks.

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