Can You Put Flats in the Washing Machine? How to Wash Flats Without Ruining Them

Co-authored by Penny Simmons and Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA

Last Updated: August 15, 2022 References

Your flats are dirty, but is it safe to machine wash them? While you can accidentally damage shoes by cleaning them improperly, it's really easy to clean flats. In fact, you might be able to remove smells without even washing them! We're here to put your mind at ease and help you get the clean shoes you deserve. We’ve got all the answers to your questions about washing flats in a washing machine.

Question 1 of 6:

Does putting flats in the washing machine ruin them?

1
Not if they’re canvas or pleather. In most cases, it’s safe to put canvas or fake leather shoes in the washer. You don't need to worry about the water or washing machine agitator damaging the fabric or the soles. If you’re not sure what material your shoe is, look for a label inside the shoe or printed on the bottom of the sole.^{[1]
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- If your shoes have a label, check it to see if it provides washing instructions. If the label recommends hand washing, it's best to do that instead.
2
Yes, if they’re leather flats. Unfortunately, putting leather shoes in the washing machine can warp or crease the leather. This could permanently damage your shoes. Don’t put your shoes in the washer if you know they're leather or suspect they could be. Instead, hand wash your leather flats to preserve their shape and appearance.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Penny Simmons
Shoe Care Specialist
Expert Interview. 19 November 2020.}
- Your shoes should have the material printed along the inside or on the bottom of the sole.
- When in doubt, play it safe by handwashing your shoes.
- Suede is another material you should never put in the washing machine.^{[4]
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  Penny Simmons
  Shoe Care Specialist
  Expert Interview. 19 November 2020.}

Question 2 of 6:

How do you machine wash flats?

1
Wipe away any stains, dirt, or scuffs with a damp sponge or brush. Giving your shoes a prewash scrub down is essential! Use a clean sponge or toothbrush to dry brush your shoes. Buff away any caked-on dirt or scruff marks so your shoes are as clean as possible when you put them into the washer.^{[5]
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- A magic eraser sponge works great for this! It'll rub away all of the dirt and scuffs.
- Don’t leave caked-on dirt on the shoes if you can help it. If you do, dirt can mix into the water and make the shoes dirtier.
2
Put your shoes in a mesh bag or pillow case to prevent damage. Your shoes are going to be bouncing around in the washer, and a bag will protect them from damage. Use a mesh bag made for shoes or delicates. If you don't have one, a pillow case will work great. After you place your shoes inside, wrap a hair tie around the end of the pillowcase to hold it shut.^{[6]
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3
Place your shoes in the washer with at least 2 towels. The towels will cushion the shoes so they aren’t bumping too hard against the sides of the washer drum. They’ll also minimize the noise while your shoes are washing. Distribute the towels so that the shoes are surrounded by them.^{[7]
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- The towels can also help prevent your washer from becoming unbalanced during the spin cycle. If you wash the shoes alone, they can end up on the same side of the washer drum, which can make the washer lose balance.
4
Use cool water and the gentle cycle to prevent damage. Even if it’s safe to wash the shoes, you still need to be careful so your shoes look great after the wash. Set the washer to the gentle cycle because it’s less likely to damage the shoes. Then, set the water temperature to cool, as hot water can melt the glue holding the shoes together.^{[8]
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- If your shoes are soapy after you wash them, run them through an extra rinse cycle.

Question 3 of 6:

How do I hand wash my flats?

1
Wipe the outside of the shoe with a cloth or toothbrush. You can get rid of a lot of grime without even wetting your shoes. Before you wash your shoes, clean off any dirt or scuffs. Use a clean cloth or toothbrush to lightly scrub the upper part of the shoe and the soles of your shoes. Get your shoes as clean as you can without water.^{[9]
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Scrub the inside and outside of the shoes with soapy water. Mix dish detergent or mild laundry soap into a bowl of warm water. Then, dip a clean cloth or toothbrush into the soapy water and use it to gently scrub all of the surfaces of your shoe. Make sure you do the inside as well as the outside to get rid of any smells.^{[10]
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- Re-dip the cloth or toothbrush into the soapy water as needed while you scrub the shoes.
3
Rinse the shoes in clean water. You're almost done! Once your shoes are clean, run a trickle of clean water over them to wash away the soap. Remember to rinse both the inside and outside of your shoes.^{[11]
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- If you’re worried about rinsing your shoes, soak a clean cloth in water and wipe away the soapy water.

Question 4 of 6:

How do you dry flat shoes?

1
Stuff your shoes with newspaper or paper towels to soak up moisture. It can take a while to dry your shoes, but this will help speed up the process. Paper absorbs moisture inside your shoes, which helps them dry faster. Wad up the paper and push it into the toe area. Keep adding paper until you fill up the shoes.^{[12]
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- If you don’t have newspaper, any paper will work.
2
Place the shoes in a well-ventilated area. Pick a spot where air circulates, like the middle of a room, near a fan, or near a window. This will help your shoes dry faster. Leave your shoes out to dry.^{[13]
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- For example, you might set them on your kitchen table or on a window sill. Don’t put them in a closet, since the air doesn’t circulate there.
3
Allow your shoes to air dry until they feel dry to the touch. You're probably wondering how long you'll have to wait before you can wear your shoes. Most flats will dry within 24 hours after you wash them. Feel the shoes to see if they’re dry. Remove the paper and touch the insole to make sure the inside of the shoe is dry.^{[14]
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- Point a fan at your shoes to help them dry faster.

Question 5 of 6:

Is it okay to put shoes in a dryer?

No, the dryer can actually damage them. Just skip the dryer! The heat from your dryer can melt the glue holding your shoes together. Additionally, the heat could warp or shrink the fabric. Play it safe by air drying your shoes.^{[15]
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Question 6 of 6:

How do I remove bad smells from my flats?

1
Sprinkle baking soda inside your shoes and let it sit overnight. Baking soda absorbs odors and moisture, so it can help you banish shoe odor! Simply pour baking soda over your insole, then place your shoes where they won’t be disturbed. In the morning, pour the baking soda into the trash.^{[16]
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- Salt and cat litter also work as deodorizers.^{[17]
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- If you want to add a pleasant scent, add a few drops of essential oil onto the baking soda, salt, or cat litter.
2
Stuff newspaper into your shoes and let them sit overnight. Newspaper also absorbs moisture and can help get rid of odors. Loosely wad up the newspaper and put it into the shoes. Leave the newspaper in your shoes overnight to get rid of the smell.^{[18]
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- Sprinkle a few drops of vanilla or essential oil onto the newspaper first if you want to add a pleasant scent to your shoes.
3
Pull out the insoles and machine wash them. If your insoles are removable, try washing them with a load of laundry. Pinch the edge of your insole and gently pull up to dislodge it from the bottom of your shoes. After they’re finished washing, set out the insoles and allow them to air dry. This should get rid of your shoe odor.^{[19]
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- Don’t try to pry up the insoles if they’re not easy to pull up. It’s possible they’re glued down.

Expert Q&A

Question

How can you wash suede flats?

Penny Simmons
Shoe Care Specialist
Penny Simmons is a Shoe Care Specialist and the Founder of Penny Loafers Shoe Shine Company Inc. in Toronto, Canada. With over 25 years of experience, Penny specializes in shoe cleaning and shining. Penny offers shoe shining at special events, kiosks in Toronto’s underground city, The PATH, and drop-off services. Penny Loafers Shoe Shine Company also operates the oldest shoeshine parlor in Canada. Penny Loafers Shoe Shine Company has been featured in Best of The City - Toronto Life, Saturday Night Magazine, National Post, Globe & Mail, and Toronto Star.

Penny Simmons

Shoe Care Specialist

Expert Answer

Always clean your suede flats by hand! Use a suede brush in particular—they usually have a red, blue, or black handle. One side has rubber bristles, while the other side is made of brass.
Question

Can you put leather flats in the washing machine?

Penny Simmons
Shoe Care Specialist
Penny Simmons is a Shoe Care Specialist and the Founder of Penny Loafers Shoe Shine Company Inc. in Toronto, Canada. With over 25 years of experience, Penny specializes in shoe cleaning and shining. Penny offers shoe shining at special events, kiosks in Toronto’s underground city, The PATH, and drop-off services. Penny Loafers Shoe Shine Company also operates the oldest shoeshine parlor in Canada. Penny Loafers Shoe Shine Company has been featured in Best of The City - Toronto Life, Saturday Night Magazine, National Post, Globe & Mail, and Toronto Star.

Penny Simmons

Shoe Care Specialist

Expert Answer

Definitely not! You should never put anything made of leather in the washing machine.

Warnings

Flats are often held together by glue. Hot temperatures can melt glue, so avoid using hot water and don't put them in the dryer.

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