Sneaker laundry starts with the label: uppers, laces, and removable insoles

Quick Answer

Clean sneakers by component. Check the shoe maker’s guidance, remove only parts designed to come out, and treat laces, insoles, and uppers according to their materials. Nike does not recommend machine washing its shoes and advises hand cleaning; other brands may differ, so do not generalize from one pair.

Identify the materials and maker instructions

Find the shoe model and look up its care page. Inspect uppers for leather, suede, knit mesh, coated panels, glued overlays, and reflective details. Nike’s guidance says it does not recommend machine washing its shoes and calls for hand cleaning; that is authoritative for Nike products, not a universal rule for every brand. When the maker has no instructions, use a cautious surface-cleaning method or ask the retailer.

Brand instructions differ: Nike says it does not recommend machine washing its shoes, and New Balance gives the same direction for its footwear. Whirlpool’s shoe-washing guide describes machine washing only for suitable materials when the shoe’s own care instructions allow it. Start with the exact model rather than assuming all sneakers share one rule.

Remove loose dirt before wet cleaning

Take the shoes outdoors and brush off dry mud, gravel, and grit with a soft brush. Clean the outsole separately so debris does not smear onto fabric. Remove laces only if they are designed to be removed; note how they route through the eyelets. Avoid hitting shoes together hard, which can loosen components. If the shoe has a waterproof membrane, electronic sensor, or unusual insert, consult the product manual first.

Treat laces as their own textile

Check lace material and color. If the maker allows washing, remove laces and clean them separately using compatible instructions. Do not put them loose into a washer where they can wrap around parts or disappear; a closed mesh bag may contain them if their care permits. Rinse as directed and air dry completely before relacing. Colored or elastic laces may bleed or stretch, so do not assume all laces can be bleached or machine dried.

Worked example: a canvas sneaker has removable cotton laces and a foam insole. Check the shoe maker’s instructions first. If hand cleaning is required, remove the laces, clean them only by their own material directions, and wipe the upper with the maker-approved method. Do not assume the insole can be soaked because it lifts out. Leave it aside and check its maker’s care advice. Reassemble only after the upper, laces, and insole are fully dry.

Handle removable insoles cautiously

Remove an insole only when it is designed to come out without tearing. Look for the insole maker’s instructions and check for foam, gel, or odor-control treatments. Do not soak an insole or use heat unless permitted. If it cannot be removed, clean only the accessible surface by the shoe maker’s method. Let it dry fully before placing it back; trapped moisture can create odor and may affect adhesives.

A removable part is not automatically washable. Inspect whether the insole contains foam, gel, or an odor-control layer and search its product instructions if possible. Keep a photo of the shoe model and any care page with the pair. If the manufacturer prohibits water, follow a dry surface method or ask a shoe-care professional. Do not use the washer as a default for footwear, and do not put any shoe or rag contaminated with fuel, solvent, or workplace chemicals into ordinary laundry. For example, a pair with laces that can be removed but an insole bonded in place should be treated as a single upper-and-insole unit; pulling at the insole could tear the footbed. A pair with removable insoles still needs separate care instructions for that component. Before returning shoes to a gym bag, check the toe box and tongue for dampness, then allow more air-drying time if they feel cool or moist inside.

Choose a method for the upper

For washable canvas or synthetic fabric, use the manufacturer’s specified water and cleaner approach. For leather or suede, avoid soaking and use material-specific products. Test a cleaner in a hidden spot when permitted. Nike recommends a mild cleaning solution, gentle brushing, and air drying for its shoes, while emphasizing extra care for leather and suede. Do not use household bleach or strong solvents on shoes.

If the maker approves hand cleaning, try the method on a small, inconspicuous area and compare color after it dries. Use a soft brush and a compatible cleaner, then remove residue as the product directs. Stop if dye transfers, the surface becomes sticky, or the material changes texture. Treat the second shoe only after the first test looks acceptable. This helps preserve a matched pair.

Keep shoes out of routine apparel loads

Even if a manufacturer permits machine washing, check whether the washer can safely handle the shoe and whether the method is allowed by the machine maker. Heavy shoes can bang against the drum, and a laundry bag does not remove all impact. Do not wash shoes alongside clothing or linens. For a laundromat, ask before placing footwear in a machine; policies and equipment differ.

Shoes exposed to fuels, solvents, pesticides, or industrial chemicals need a separate handling decision. Do not brush, wash, or dry them with household clothing. Check the chemical label and workplace procedures, and contact the employer or an appropriate safety professional. A routine sneaker-cleaning method does not address hazardous residues.

Dry with shape and materials in mind

Follow the brand’s dry instructions. Nike advises air drying and warns against dryer heat. Keep shoes away from direct high heat; open tongues and loosen laces so air can circulate. Do not reassemble damp insoles. If the shoe has leather, suede, or a waterproof lining, use only the maker’s drying guidance to protect its finish and construction.

Know when replacement or repair is better

If a sole is separating, stitching is torn, or the material is cracked, cleaning may worsen the damage. A shoe repair specialist can evaluate structural problems. Store clean pairs dry with enough air circulation, and record which cleaning product worked with the exact model. For washable clothing and ordinary household textiles, see self-serve; footwear acceptance should be confirmed through contact-us.

Older footwear may have brittle materials or weakened glue even if it was washable when new. Inspect the sole bond, eyelets, and overlays before introducing moisture. If the shoe has a structural defect, cleaning may accelerate failure; ask a repair professional first. Photographing the model label can help you find its original care advice. A lace can be laundered separately only when its material allows it; put washable laces in a closed mesh bag to contain them. For example, if the upper is leather but the laces are plain cotton, the lace may have a washable route while the shoe still needs hand cleaning. Keep each part’s method separate and do not let the laces sit against a wet shoe while drying. Tie the pair together only after every component is fully dry, and check the tongue and toe box because those areas can stay damp after the outside feels dry. For an insole, check its own construction and instructions: Whirlpool’s general guidance recommends hand washing insoles unless the shoe directions say otherwise, because a waterlogged insole can take much longer to dry. Separate-component advice is useful only where the specific brand permits it.