Dirt, sweat, stains, and everyday wear can quickly make your shoes look tired and smell less than fresh. But with the right technique and the right product, you can safely wash selected footwear without damaging the materials. Our Footwear Tech Wash is made to remove dirt, stains, and odors while helping preserve your sneaker’s fibres and materials. It can be used for both machine washing and handwashing, depending on the type of shoe.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to machine wash your shoes properly, so you can keep them clean, fresh, and ready to wear for longer.

Materials

Preparing Your Shoes for Wash

How to Machine Wash Shoes: Step-by-Step

How to Dry Shoes After Washing

Can You Use Footwear Tech Wash for Handwashing?

Materials

• Footwear Tech Wash
• Soft brush
• Mesh laundry bag or pillowcase
• Newspaper or paper to help maintain shape while drying

Important: Do not machine wash leather, suede, formal shoes, or boots. These materials should be cleaned by hand instead.

Preparing Your Shoes for Wash

1. REMOVE LOOSE DIRT

Start by removing any loose dirt from your shoes. Use a soft brush or gently tap the soles together to remove surface debris. For stubborn stains, pre-treat the area with our DFNS Footwear Cleaner before washing.

2. TAKE OUT LACES AND INSOLES

Remove the laces and insoles before washing. Place the laces in a mesh laundry bag to prevent tangling. Insoles should be washed and dried separately to help avoid trapped moisture and odor.

3. PROTECT YOUR SHOES

Place your shoes in a closed mesh laundry bag or pillowcase. This helps protect them from excessive banging inside the washing machine and reduces the risk of damage during the cycle.

4. AVOID CONVENTIONAL LAUNDRY PRODUCTS

Do not combine Footwear Tech Wash with conventional laundry products, fabric softeners, or aggressive detergents. These can affect the materials and reduce the performance of the wash.

How to Machine Wash Shoes: Step-by-Step

1. DOSE

Grab your Footwear Tech Wash bottle. To use the automatic dosing system, turn the bottle upside down with the lid closed and wait until the 25 ml chamber is full. Then turn the bottle upright again. When you open the lid, the correct amount of solution will pour out, while the rest stays inside the bottle.

2. CHOOSE THE RIGHT CYCLE

Select a gentle, cold-water cycle with a slow-spin or no-spin setting. Mesh, canvas, and pleather shoes can usually handle this type of gentle wash. Avoid machine washing leather, suede, formal shoes, or boots.

3. ADD THE SOLUTION

Pour the Footwear Tech Wash into the Main Wash Dispenser, usually marked with the symbol II.

Quick tip: detergent tray symbols usually mean the following:

• I = Pre-wash cycle
• II = Main-wash cycle, where your detergent usually goes
• III or * = Fabric softener compartment

How to Dry Shoes After Washing

1. AIR-DRY ONLY

Do not use a tumble dryer. Heat can deform your shoes and affect their structure. Instead, let them air-dry naturally at room temperature, away from direct sunlight or heat sources.

2. KEEP THEIR SHAPE

Stuff your shoes with crumpled newspaper or paper to help maintain their shape and absorb excess moisture while drying.

3. DRY LACES AND INSOLES SEPARATELY

Lay out the laces and insoles separately so they can dry completely. This helps prevent moisture buildup and unwanted odors.

4. FINISH THE ROUTINE

Once your shoes are fully dry, reinsert the insoles, lace them back up, and they’re ready to hit the streets again.

Can You Use Footwear Tech Wash for Handwashing?

Yes. Our Footwear Tech Wash is also effective for handwashing. For shoes that are not suitable for the washing machine, submerge them in a bucket with lukewarm water, gently scrub them with the solution, rinse thoroughly, and let them air-dry out of direct sunlight.

By following these steps, you can safely clean your footwear, remove unwanted dirt and odors, and help extend the life of your favourite shoes. Clean your kicks, keep them fresh, and get back out there.