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Can You Put Tennis Shoes in the Washer & Dryer? (Answered)

Are you having trouble remembering to hand-wash your tennis shoes? Do you just not have the time to do it?

Do you have sneakers that you only wear occasionally, but don’t want to waste water washing and drying them? You may think about putting them in the washer and dryer. Can you do that? Let’s take a look.

Tennis shoes in the washer or dryer:

You can wash tennis shoes in the washing machine. Tennis shoes that have been treated with a water-repellant may also be washed in the washing machine. You should, however, ensure that the materials can be machine washed. A few things to note: Remove insoles and laces and wash separately.

Tennis shoes without any moisture-repelling features will not be as effective when machine washed. Tennis shoes without an insole or lace might be better hand-washed instead.

Nylon or polyester tennis shoes:

You can also wash and dry nylon or polyester tennis shoes. When drying tennis shoes, however, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Putting them on a low heat setting and letting them air out for a few hours before storing them is recommended by some people.

Leather tennis shoes:

Tennis shoes made of leather cannot be dried in the dryer. When leather is dried too quickly or at a high temperature, it can become brittle and dry out.

Wet leather can also lose its grip and durability. Hand-wash your leather tennis shoes or use a cleaner designed specifically for cleaning and drying leather shoes if you want to clean and dry them.

Suede tennis shoes:

Tennis shoes made of suede can also be safely cleaned in a washing machine. As some people recommend airing out suede shoes for a few hours before storing them, this is a useful method for drying suede shoes.

Tennis shoes in the dryer:

Tennis shoes should not be dried in the dryer. Tennis shoes may become brittle and dry out quickly if they are dried at high temperatures during the drying process. A prolonged period of high-temperature drying can also reduce the durability and grip of tennis shoes.

There is no internal moisture-repellent feature in any tennis shoes that can prevent them from getting wet. Unless you have tennis shoes with insoles or laces, you might want to hand-wash them if you do not have tennis shoes with these features.

By hand washing the shoe, you can ensure that it will be clean as well as prevent the shoe from absorbing water and becoming heavy as a result.

Some people recommend putting tennis shoes in the dryer at low heat for a short time, whereas others say not to do this because it can cause the surface of the shoes to be damaged.

Tennis shoes can face damage if they are placed in the dryer for a long period. If this happens, they may become brittle and dry out as a result. Furthermore, it can also cause the shoe to lose its grip as well as its durability if it is exposed to these conditions.

Further, it can also cause them to lose their ability to repel moisture, leading to their deterioration. It is best to hand-wash your tennis shoes if they do not come with an insole or lace, as they will not get damaged by the water.

How to know if my tennis shoes are machine washable?

You should read the washing instructions that came with your tennis shoes to find out if they can be machine washed.

Tennis shoes are often labeled “dry clean only.” If you plan to hand-wash them, add some detergent made specifically for sports clothes and athletic gear.

Last but not least, always check the laces before washing and drying! A lace hook’s rusting can be caused by exposure to moisture outside and it can also become entangled as it wears.

Nike tennis shoes:

Using a mild detergent and warm water, Nike tennis shoes can be machine washed and air dried. Nike tennis shoes have a Drybrush inner sole that repels water and soil, so they can be machine washed in warm water on delicate.

Adidas tennis shoes:

Tennis shoes from Adidas can be machine-washed and dried in warm water with a mild detergent. Adidas tennis shoes are treated with a Torsion Control System.

Vans tennis shoes:

Vans tennis shoes can be machine washed. The canvas material used to make Vans shoes allows them to be washed safely in your washer. It is not recommended to machine wash Vans tennis shoes made from rubber or neoprene materials.

Converse tennis shoes:

Converse tennis shoes cannot be machine washed. As Converse tennis shoes are made with canvas uppers and rubber outsoles, they do not use the Torsion Control System like Nike and Adidas.

Therefore, Converse tennis shoes can only be hand-washed in cool water with mild soap.

Brooks tennis shoes:

Using a mild detergent, a machine can be used to wash Brooks tennis shoes in cool water.

Since Brooks tennis shoes are made with a Drybrush inner sole, they are also capable of being machine dried on a low heat setting because of the Drybrush inner sole.

Hoka tennis shoes:

Machine washing is not possible for Hokas tennis shoes. They can become entangled in the machine wash cycle since they are synthetic and treated with a Drybrush Inner Sole.

How to wash tennis shoes in the washer?

You might think that washing tennis shoes in the washer would be a hassle, but it’s quite straightforward. You should follow these simple tips whether you wash your tennis shoes in the washer or dryer:

Measure your tennis shoes:

Measure your tennis shoes before you start washing them. By doing this, you will be able to ensure that the clothes dryer won’t shrink the clothes in any way.

As a bonus, if you do this, you will also ensure that your tennis shoes will fit properly once they have been washed.

Soak your tennis shoes in warm water:

You should soak your tennis shoes in warm water for at least 30 minutes (ideally overnight).

This allows the shoe to soften up and remove dirt and soil that has built up over time. Before starting the cycle, ensure that any excess water has been removed.

Select your wash settings:

Tennis shoes get tangled up quickly in washers because they tend to get tangled up quickly.

Choose warm or cool water temperatures depending on the fabric type of your sneakers (cotton vs. synthetic) to prevent this from happening.

Soak your tennis shoes again after washing:

Rinse the laundry with warm water after the wash cycle has been completed. For the next step, soak your tennis shoes in cold water for about 10 minutes to prevent them from stretching.

Don’t put your tennis shoes in the dryer:

Tennis shoes should never be put in the dryer, no matter how tempting they may be. Consequently, they could become entangled in the machine’s wires, resulting in irreparable damage.

How do clean tennis shoes without a washer and dryer?

If you don’t have a washer or dryer, there are a few ways to clean tennis shoes without a washer and dryer. Here are a few simple steps you can follow:

Remove any excess dirt or soil using a cloth:

The first thing to do is to wipe your shoes with a cloth to remove any dirt or soil. You can do this by wiping down the area with a gentle rag and some warm water. Alternatively, you can use a vacuum cleaner.

Soak your tennis shoes in water for about 30 minutes:

Your tennis shoes should be soaked in water for about 30 minutes after you have cleaned the exterior. In addition to softening up any built-up dirt and soil, this can be done overnight as well.

Rinse off your tennis shoes using cool water:

After soaking your tennis shoes for about 30 minutes, rinse them off with cool water. Ensure that all areas that were touched by soil or debris are thoroughly cleaned.

Dry your tennis shoes:

Using a large fan, air-dry your tennis shoes after rinsing them off. It will help remove any excess water and vaporize any odors.

Tennis shoes can be air-dried if you don’t want to expose them to the sun or if they will be stored for a while. To prevent moisture from accumulating inside your shoes, place them on a wire rack or hang them up with a clothes hanger.

Final Thoughts

To summarize, tennis shoes can be washed in the washing machine. However, putting them in the dryer may damage the shoe’s inner lining. Tennis shoes made of nylon, polyester, and suede can be machine washed. Several popular tennis shoe brands can be machine washed, including Nike, Adidas, and Vans.