How to tell if sneakers can go in the washing machine

No. Do not wash sneakers in a washing machine. A gentle cycle, a cold wash, a mesh bag or a pillowcase does not make it a good idea. Wash them by hand.

Why the drum is a bad place for shoes

Glue. Most sneakers are stuck together where the upper meets the sole. A long soak softens that glue. Tumbling flexes the joint again and again. A dryer is worse, because heat works on the glue while the drum bends the shoe.

Shape. The heel counter and the toe box are what keep a sneaker looking like itself. Banging around a drum can crease them. Foam insoles soak up water and dry out of shape.

Mixed materials. One shoe can be mesh, leather, suede, rubber and painted foam. A machine treats all of that the same way. You cannot.

The dirt stays anyway. Grime sits in the seams and along the midsole edge. A drum loosens it, spreads it through wet mesh, and leaves a tide line as the shoe dries. It does not scrub the edge the way a brush does.

That is why shoes never go in a machine, including cheap canvas pairs. They also never share a drum with clothes.

What to do instead

Hand-wash them in a basin with a soft brush, cool water and a little mild soap. Dry them in moving air, stuffed with plain paper, away from heaters and direct afternoon sun. The steps are in How to wash my sneakers and shoes.

If the label on a pair claims a machine wash is fine, you can still skip it. Labels are written for ideal conditions. A split sole is not something a later wash will fix. Cleaning does not repair tears.

How often you need to do the hand wash depends on wear, not on a machine programme. See How to tell when your sneakers need a wash.

Other things that also stay out of a drum, from silk to beaded trims, are listed in How to tell what not to machine-wash.

The shop in Cheras

Superman Laundry is in Cheras (Cheras Yulek). One machine serves one customer, so your load is not mixed with anyone else’s. Shoes are hand-washed and never go in a machine. Laundry and shoe cleaning are usually ready within 3 working days. Express exists, so ask if you need a faster time rather than assuming one. We clean. We do not repair tears, and we do not promise a yellow midsole will return to white.

WhatsApp or call 013-833 5526.

Laundry services. Shoe cleaning. Price list.