How to Wash Gym Shoes

Co-authored by Carroll Kelly

Last Updated: September 16, 2021 References

Ridding your gym shoes of their dirt and smell is as easy as throwing your shoes in the washing machine. Using care to prepare your shoes for the wash, putting them into the washer on the correct setting, and allowing shoes to air dry will leave you with gym shoes that are like new.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Preparing Your Shoes

1
Take out the insoles the night before you wash the shoes. Take out your insoles and put them in a box filled with baking soda, because chances are the insides of your gym shoes don’t smell great. It’s best that they sit overnight, so take out the insoles the night before you want to wash your shoes.^{[1]
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2
Wipe off any excess dirt. Especially if your shoes are very dirty, use an old rag to wipe down the filth before putting them in the wash. This will help prevent gross dirt and grass from collecting in your washer.^{[2]
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- If the dirt’s really crusted on, bang those shoes up against each other outside.
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3
Remove the shoelaces. Because dirt tends to collect around the eyelets of your shoes, you should always remove the shoelaces before washing. This way they’ll be exposed more freely for cleaning during the wash cycle.^{[3]
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4
Place shoelaces in mesh bag. Put the shoelaces into a mesh bag so they won’t get tangled up. You can then throw this mesh bag in the washing machine.^{[4]
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- These mesh bags are often used for washing women’s delicates and are found in the laundry aisle of a home goods store.
5
Pretreat bad stains with stain remover. If your shoes have any heavily soiled areas, pretreat them with a laundry product, such as Shout. Simply spray the product on the stained area before you throw the shoes in the wash.^{[5]
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6
Check if the shoes are machine washable. Before you wash your gym shoes, be sure that the material that they are made of is appropriate for washing. If not, you might ruin the shoes by adding water.^{[6]
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- Leather is an example of material that needs extra care. If your gym shoes are leather, you should clean them by hand.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Using the Washing Machine

1
Put the shoes in the washer with other linens. To give your shoes more support in the wash, fill the washer with old towels or other linens that you don’t mind being exposed to your dirty shoes. This will be a more gentle environment for your shoes.^{[7]
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- This will also cut down on the amount of clunking you hear during the wash cycle.
2
Put in liquid detergent. You can use the normal amount of detergent that you would use for any load the size of the one you’ve included your gym shoes in. However, you should always use liquid detergent. Powdered detergent may stick to the inside of your shoes.^{[8]
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- Using more detergent than necessary will not make your shoes cleaner. It’ll just leave soap residue on your shoes that’ll make them stiff.^{[9]
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3
Choose the gentle cycle and cold water. The gentle cycle won’t spin your shoes around as much, so it will reduce how banged around they get. Using cold water, instead of hot, will prevent any shrinkage of your shoes.^{[10]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Drying Your Shoes

1
Remove the shoes and laces from the washer. After the wash cycle has ended, immediately remove your shoes so they don’t become moldy.
2
Allow your shoes and shoelaces to air dry. You should never put your shoes into the dryer, since the exposure to heat can lead to misshapen shoes or cause the glue that keeps your shoes together to disintegrate. Instead, leave your shoes and shoelaces out in an open space to air dry.^{[11]
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- Leave your shoes outside overnight to dry.
- However, you can set your shoes in front of a dehumidifier, air vent, or fan to help them dry more quickly in a few hours.^{[12]
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- Don’t put shoes in direct sunlight as this may cause them to shrink and not fit correctly.^{[13]
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3
Insert newspaper into the shoes to keep their shape. If you’re concerned about your shoes losing their shape, ball up newspaper and stuff it inside the shoes.^{[14]
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- The newspaper will also soak up the moisture and help your shoes dry faster.
4
Brush the baking soda off your insoles. Remove your insoles from the baking soda they’ve been soaking in during the washing and drying of your shoes. Shake off the insoles and then brush off any remaining baking soda with a soft-bristled brush.
5
Re-lace your shoelaces and re-insert your insoles. After your shoes have completely dried, put your shoelaces and insoles back into your shoes. You’ll be good to go with newly cleaned shoes!

Expert Q&A

Question

How do I get marks off of the soles?

Carroll Kelly
Shoe Care Specialist
Carroll Kelly is a Shoe Care Specialist and the Owner of Austin Shoe Hospital in Austin, Texas. With over 37 years of experience, Carroll specializes in sustainable shoes, boots, belts, handbags, and luggage repair. Carroll graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas. Austin Shoe Hospital is a family-run business that started over 105 years ago from a single horse-drawn carriage. Today they are the largest and most recognized shoe repair company in the world.

Carroll Kelly

Shoe Care Specialist

Expert Answer

409 cleaner or Windex will get dark marks off of your shoe soles. You can also use that to clean any vinyl and shiny leather areas on your shoes.
Question

What kind of shoe cleaners can I use for gym shoes?

Carroll Kelly
Shoe Care Specialist
Carroll Kelly is a Shoe Care Specialist and the Owner of Austin Shoe Hospital in Austin, Texas. With over 37 years of experience, Carroll specializes in sustainable shoes, boots, belts, handbags, and luggage repair. Carroll graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas. Austin Shoe Hospital is a family-run business that started over 105 years ago from a single horse-drawn carriage. Today they are the largest and most recognized shoe repair company in the world.

Carroll Kelly

Shoe Care Specialist

Expert Answer

Gym shoes are made with a lot of different materials nowadays, like vinyl, leather, and fabric, so you need to choose a product that will work for the type of material your shoes are made out of. If you use the wrong type of product, it could stain and damage your shoes.
Question

My insoles are glued down. Should I still remove them?

Community Answer

No, I wouldn't try to remove your insoles if they're glued down.

Warnings

Do not wash your gym shoes too frequently if you’re concerned about getting a lot of usage out of them. Try washing every six months, as necessary. If you’re concerned about use, try handwashing instead.^{[15]
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