Wash Trainers Machine
The question comes up every week in store: can I put my trainers in the washing machine? The honest answer is sometimes — it depends entirely on what the upper is made from. Get it right and your trainers come out looking fresh. Get it wrong and you can warp the sole, crack the upper, or pull apart the bonded layers that hold a modern running shoe together.
This guide tells you exactly which types of trainer can handle machine washing, which absolutely cannot, the correct method if you are going ahead, and the safest alternative for every shoe.
1 | Can You Machine Wash Trainers?
The washing machine is not categorically off-limits for trainers — but it is far more limited than most people assume. Modern performance trainers are engineered assemblies of multiple materials bonded together with adhesives, heat-fused seams, and precision construction. A washing machine subjects all of that to sustained heat, mechanical agitation, and detergent chemistry that can undo that construction.
The single biggest factor is the upper material. Mesh and knit uppers are the most resilient. Leather, suede, and nubuck are essentially incompatible with machine washing.
Quick Decision Guide
- Mesh upper — generally machine washable with care
- Knit / Flyknit upper — generally machine washable with care
- Leather upper — never machine wash
- Suede or nubuck upper — never machine wash
- Mixed materials — check each component; one delicate material means hand wash only
2 | Trainers That Can Handle Machine Washing
Trainers built primarily from technical mesh or engineered knit uppers are the candidates for machine washing. These materials are designed to flex, breathe, and dry quickly — properties that also make them more tolerant of a washing machine cycle when done correctly.
On Running Cloud Series
On's mesh-upper road running shoes — Cloud 6, Cloudrunner, Cloudgo — use technical mesh uppers that can handle a cold, gentle machine wash. On's official position is hand washing, but mesh-upper models tolerate machine washing on a delicate cycle. Exception: LightSpray uppers (Cloudboom) — hand wash only.
Saucony Running Trainers
Saucony's Ride, Kinvara, and Ride series use engineered mesh uppers that are among the most machine-wash-tolerant trainers in our range. The Saucony Ride in particular is known for holding its structure through careful machine washing.
Always Check the Care Label First
Even within a brand's mesh-upper range, individual models can vary. Some use specialist coatings or reinforcements that are more sensitive. The care label inside the tongue is your definitive reference — if it says hand wash only, respect that instruction.
3 | Trainers That Cannot Be Machine Washed
Never Put These in a Washing Machine
- Leather trainers — water penetrates and dries unevenly, cracking and stiffening the leather. Adhesives fail. Structure is permanently distorted.
- Suede and nubuck trainers — the nap is destroyed on first contact with machine agitation. The material shrinks, hardens, and discolours.
- On Running LightSpray uppers — the sprayed filament construction is not designed to withstand mechanical agitation or sustained soaking.
- Any trainer with gel inserts or air cushioning units — heat and agitation can displace or burst cushioning chambers.
- Waterproof or Gore-Tex lined trainers — machine washing degrades the membrane and the durable water repellent (DWR) finish.
If in doubt, do not risk a machine wash. The hand wash method below is safe for every trainer in existence — the machine is only appropriate for a subset of mesh and knit uppers.
4 | The Correct Machine Wash Method
If your trainers qualify for machine washing, the method matters enormously. This is not the same as washing a cotton t-shirt.
- Remove the laces and insoles. Wash laces separately in a mesh laundry bag or by hand. Remove insoles completely and air-dry them separately — insoles rarely survive machine washing in good condition.
- Remove loose dirt first. Knock the soles together outside to dislodge dried mud. Use an old toothbrush to scrub the outsole grooves. Putting mud-caked trainers straight in the machine will just redistribute the dirt inside the drum.
- Place trainers in a mesh laundry bag. This protects the trainers from impact against the drum and protects the drum from impact by the shoes. If you do not have a laundry bag, put the trainers inside a tied pillowcase.
- Add a couple of old towels. These balance the load and reduce the drumming noise. Do not wash trainers in an otherwise empty drum — the machine will shake violently and the trainers will take more mechanical punishment.
- Select a cold, gentle cycle. Maximum 30°C. Use the delicate or hand-wash cycle setting. Use a small amount of mild liquid detergent — not powder (residue) and not biological detergent (harsh enzymes).
- Air dry only. Never put trainers in a tumble dryer. The heat warps the sole, separates adhesive bonds, and can destroy the cushioning. Stuff the shoes with newspaper to absorb moisture and hold their shape. Dry at room temperature away from direct heat.
Key Rules at a Glance
- Cold wash only — 30°C maximum
- Gentle or delicate cycle
- Mesh laundry bag — always
- Air dry — never tumble dry
- Remove laces and insoles before washing
- Mild liquid detergent — small amount
5 | Hand Washing — The Safer Alternative for Every Trainer
Hand washing is slower but safer. It works on every type of trainer — mesh, knit, leather, suede, and specialist uppers — and it gives you complete control over the cleaning process. It is the method recommended by On Running and Saucony for their full ranges.
Hand Wash Method
- Remove laces and insoles. Brush off loose dirt with a dry brush.
- Mix a small amount of mild soap or specialist shoe cleaner with lukewarm water.
- Use a soft cloth or soft-bristled brush to work the solution gently into the upper in circular motions.
- For the outsole, use a stiffer brush and clean water. The rubber sole can handle more scrubbing than the upper.
- Rinse with a clean damp cloth — do not submerge the shoe in water, especially for leather or suede.
- Stuff with newspaper and air dry at room temperature.
Suede and Nubuck: Specialist Cleaning Required
Suede Trainers Need Dry Cleaning
Use a specialist suede brush to lift the nap and remove dry dirt. A suede eraser block removes scuff marks. For deeper cleaning, use a dedicated suede cleaner spray — never water directly on suede. Always brush in one direction to restore the nap after cleaning.
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Every piece below is in stock at OD's Designer Clothing — authorised UK stockist.