How to wash trainers in the washing machine without ruining them

We wear our trainers a lot, as do our kids, and let's be honest, after a while it starts to show. Whether they're your best pair of white trainers or the ones your kids wear for PE, after a certain amount of wear, trainers need a refresh.

Unlike the other items of clothing we wear on a regular basis, there isn't an obvious, straightforward way to get them sparkling again. While you might bung pretty much everything else in the washer dryer, trainers of all fabric types need a little extra care to get them looking like new.

Even the best washing machines can fall short when it comes to cleaning trainers. Washing them incorrectly can damage both your shoes and your washing machine, so read on for our expert guide to washing trainers in the washing machine without ruining either.

Can you put trainers in the washing machine?

The short answer is: it depends. According to Ian Palmer-Smith, Appliance expert at Domestic & General, “Trainers made of cotton, canvas, polyester or nylon are typically more durable and able to withstand being put through a wash cycle.”

If your trainers are made from leather or suede, we wouldn't recommend putting them in the washing machine - instead, scroll down for some genius cleaning hacks for leather and suede trainers.

Most trainers will come with cleaning instructions included - if you've already recycled the box or snipped off the labels, a quick google can help you find the manufacturer's advice. However, many brands don't recommend putting their shoes in the washing machine, so proceed at your own risk.

Read next: The best dehumidifiers for drying clothes indoors

How to wash trainers in the washing machine

1. Pre-treat stains

To get the best results from your washing machine, as well as preventing it from getting clogged up, scrub off any caked-on mud and spot-clean any stains before you wash. Mumsnet users swear by The Pink Stuff Miracle Cleaning Paste for banishing stubborn stains on white trainers. With a little elbow grease, you might find this is enough to get your trainers looking fab. If your trainers aren't totally white, steer clear of any stain removers containing bleach.

2. Prepare your trainers

Remove the laces and insoles from your trainers - laces can get tangled in the mechanism of your washing machine, and insoles are prone to shrinking in the washing machine. If you're zipping your trainers safely inside a mesh laundry bag, you can leave the laces on.

Ian Palmer-Smith from Domestic & General has a tip for complex laces: “take a picture of how the trainers are laced to ensure that you can lace them back up in the same way.”

Pop the trainers into a pillowcase or mesh laundry bag, and make sure you also chuck in a towel or two so as not to damage your machine.

Related: The best budget washing machines under £500

3. Choose the right wash cycle

A delicate cycle is your best bet for getting your trainers washed and out again in one piece. Low temperatures and no spin cycle will ensure the glue on your trainers stays intact, and they won't get too bashed out of shape.

Some washing machines have a sportswear cycle, and Mumsnet user Changeembrace recommends her all-singing, all-dancing Miele washing machine with a dedicated trainer cycle. If in doubt, go for the lowest temperature cycle on your machine.

Ian Palmer-Smith advises opting for liquid laundry detergent, and not using too much, as it dissolves better than powder at low temperatures. It's not a good idea to use fabric softener when cleaning trainers, as it can damage the shoes' fabric.

Related: The best mould removers, tried and tested

4. Dry naturally

No matter how urgently you need the trainers back in action, do not put them in the tumble dryer. Even the best tumble dryers operate at temperatures too high (and bash their contents around too much) for trainers.

Pick a spot away from direct heat and let your trainers dry naturally. Stuffing them with newspaper will speed up drying times and help them regain their shape. You can hang your trainers on an unheated airer or washing line, as these methods of drying will be gentle enough for them.

Voila! You have a clean pair of trainers, ready to wear.

How to clean leather and suede trainers

While we wouldn't recommend putting anything made of leather in the washing machine, leather trainers can attract a lot more wear and tear than your average leather handbag or smarter leather shoes.

But just because you can't put them in the washing machine, doesn't mean your trainers will never look pristine again. We spoke to Cynthia Ewers-Cobb, founder of Green Eco Lifestyle:

“I swear by using Hydrogen Peroxide to clean white trainers. The acid is usually used to dye hair but if you put a pea-sized amount on a cloth and rub your trainers they come up pearly white! I then wipe down with warm water and I'm good to go."

You can get Hydrogen Peroxide cheaply online - this bottle is recommended by reviewers for cleaning: McKLords Hydrogen Peroxide 3%, £6

It's not just white trainers that need an occasional spruce up, and Cynthia recommends warm soapy water followed by a teaspoon of cooking oil to keep coloured leather trainers looking their best.

If your trainers are made from suede, getting them wet is a big no-no. Stick to an old, dry toothbrush to gently brush off mud or marks. For a more thorough clean, Mumsnet user RusholmeRuffian swears by Sneakers ER.

How long do trainers take to dry after washing?

This varies, as some fabrics and trainer types have padding that'll take longer to dry, while others will be made of a quick-drying fabric like canvas or Nylon - at least 12 hours is a good rule of thumb, to ensure even fast-drying trainers are properly dried.

To speed up drying time, peg your trainers on your washing line, or put them on a clothes airer (not the heated type), with a dehumidifier nearby. Don't be tempted to wear your trainers while they're still damp - they'll give you blisters and could start to smell bad.

Will washing trainers stop them from smelling?

If you're dealing with wiffy trainers, putting them in the washing machine could well solve the problem. If not, there are a number of things you can try:

• Put bicarbonate of soda in the trainers for 24 hours, to absorb smells, then wash

• Put trainers in the freezer overnight to kill bacteria

• Handwash the insoles with a mild soap or vinegar

Can you put trainers with air bubbles in the washing machine?

Nope! If your trainers have a bubble in the sole, handwashing or spot cleaning is best as the bubble may burst, ruining your shoes.

Read next: The best washing machine cleaners Mumsnet users swear by

About the author

Poppy O'Neill is a Content Editor at Mumsnet and a mother of two. She's been researching and reviewing baby and child products for 2 years, with a particular focus on baby essentials, toys and books for toddlers and outdoor play equipment. From potties to paddling pools and bunk beds to bedtime stories, she loves to deep-dive into research and find the best products out there.

Poppy is also an award-winning, best-selling children's and parenting author of books such as Don't Worry, Be Happy, The Extraordinary Book That Makes You Feel Happy and Mother Power. She specialises in children's mental health and her books are used by therapists, teachers and SENCOs across the UK. She won a The Week Junior Book Award in 2023, her books have been translated into several languages and she's been featured in The Guardian, The Sunday Times and The Sun.

After earning a BA in Creative Writing from the University of Leeds and a PGCert in Fashion and Lifestyle Journalism from University of the Arts London, she worked in fashion for most of her 20s. When her children were young, she undertook an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Chichester and re-trained as an author and freelance writer.