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Can You Wash Summer Shoes in the Washing Machine? (Sandals, Trainers & More)
Sandals, canvas slip-ons, fabric trainers — which summer shoes can actually go in the washing machine? Here's your complete guide by shoe type.
Summer shoes take a beating. Sand, sweat, grass, mud, sunscreen — by mid-season, most pairs need a serious clean. But can your summer shoes actually go in the washing machine? The answer depends almost entirely on what they’re made of.
Here’s a complete breakdown of which summer shoes are machine-washable, which ones aren’t, and the right approach for every type.
The Golden Rule: Material Determines Method
Every shoe cleaning decision starts with the material. Water and agitation are safe for synthetic fabrics, canvas, and mesh — and damaging to leather, suede, and delicate materials. This rule is especially important in summer when shoes are often made of lightweight or casual materials designed for heat and comfort, not necessarily durability under machine washing.
Summer Shoes You CAN Machine Wash
Mesh Athletic Trainers and Running Shoes
Breathable mesh trainers are among the most common summer footwear choices — and they’re excellent candidates for machine washing. The mesh fabric handles water well, and the open-weave structure means water and detergent can penetrate deeply to remove embedded sweat and bacteria.
Always use cold water and a gentle cycle. Place in a Fluffie shoe laundry bag to prevent the mesh from snagging or being deformed by drum impact. Most brand-name trainers from Nike, Adidas, New Balance, and similar brands with mesh or fabric uppers wash well using this approach.
Canvas Sneakers and Slip-Ons
Canvas is one of the most washing machine-friendly materials there is. Classic summer canvas shoes — Converse, Vans, Supergas, canvas espadrilles with rubber soles — clean up beautifully in a cold gentle cycle. The cotton canvas absorbs water and detergent well and releases dirt effectively during the agitation cycle. The key risks are shrinkage (prevented by cold water) and color fading (minimized by a gentle cycle and keeping away from direct sunlight while drying).
Fabric Sandals (with fabric or nylon straps)
Sandals with fabric or nylon webbing straps are generally machine-washable. The fabric straps clean well with detergent, and the rubber or foam footbeds of most sandals handle cold-water washing without issue. Note: sandals with leather straps, cork footbeds, or decorative embellishments are not suitable for machine washing.
Swim Shoes and Aqua Socks
Summer swim shoes and water shoes are designed to get wet repeatedly — they’re among the easiest to machine wash. Cold gentle cycle, liquid detergent, and a shoe bag is all you need. They dry quickly too, usually in a few hours.
Canvas Espadrilles (Rubber Sole Only)
Espadrilles with rubber soles and canvas or fabric uppers can generally be machine washed. However, traditional espadrilles with jute rope soles cannot — jute absorbs water, takes forever to dry, and can develop mold. Always check the sole material before washing.
Summer Shoes You Cannot Machine Wash
Leather Sandals and Shoes
Machine washing damages leather irreversibly. Water causes leather to absorb and then lose moisture unevenly during drying, resulting in cracking, stiffness, and deformation. Clean leather sandals and shoes with a damp cloth and mild soap, working gently on the surface only. Dry away from heat and follow with a leather conditioner to restore moisture.
Cork Footbed Sandals (Birkenstock-style)
Cork footbeds and machine washing don’t mix. Cork is porous and absorbs water easily, then can crack or crumble as it dries. Hand clean the straps with a damp cloth and mild soap. Use a soft brush on the footbed with a small amount of soap and water — scrub gently and rinse carefully without soaking. Allow to air dry away from direct sunlight.
Rubber Flip Flops
Rubber and foam flip flops don’t need the washing machine — they can simply be rinsed with water and scrubbed with a brush and soapy water. Machine washing thin foam flip flops can cause them to warp. Hand wash is faster and equally effective.
Suede Summer Shoes
Suede is damaged by water and cannot be machine washed. Use a suede brush for surface dirt and a suede-specific cleaner for stains. In summer, avoid wearing suede shoes on wet grass or in rain.
Complete Summer Shoe Machine-Wash Reference Guide
| Shoe Type | Machine Washable? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mesh trainers/sneakers | ✅ Yes | Cold, gentle cycle. Use Fluffie bag. |
| Canvas sneakers | ✅ Yes | Cold water to prevent shrinkage. |
| Fabric/nylon sandals | ✅ Yes | Check for non-fabric elements first. |
| Swim/water shoes | ✅ Yes | Designed for water — easy to wash. |
| Canvas espadrilles (rubber sole) | ✅ Yes | Rubber sole only — not jute rope. |
| Leather sandals | ❌ No | Wipe with damp cloth only. |
| Cork footbed sandals | ❌ No | Hand clean straps and footbed only. |
| Rubber flip flops | ❌ No (not needed) | Rinse and hand scrub instead. |
| Suede shoes | ❌ No | Dry brush and suede cleaner only. |
The Right Way to Machine Wash Summer Shoes
For all the shoe types confirmed as machine-washable above, follow this process for the best results:
- Remove laces and insoles — wash these separately
- Brush off any loose dirt or debris before washing
- Place shoes in a Fluffie shoe laundry bag — this prevents drum impact and protects the shoe structure during the wash cycle
- Add 2–3 old towels to balance the load
- Use cold water and the gentlest available cycle
- Use liquid detergent in a small amount
- Air dry fully — never use the dryer
The Fluffie bag is particularly valuable for summer shoes, which are often more lightweight and less structurally robust than winter footwear. The cushioned mesh keeps them protected through the wash while allowing thorough cleaning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wash my Birkenstocks in the washing machine?
No. Birkenstocks have cork footbeds that will be damaged by machine washing. Clean the straps with a damp cloth and mild soap, and use a soft brush with soapy water on the footbed — but don’t soak. Allow to air dry naturally.
Can I machine wash Vans in summer?
Yes — canvas Vans are excellent candidates for machine washing. Cold water, gentle cycle, and a Fluffie shoe bag is the ideal approach. The canvas cleans well and the vulcanized rubber sole is stable under cold-water washing.
How often should I wash summer shoes?
For daily-worn summer shoes, a full machine wash every 2–3 weeks is a good baseline. If you’ve been to a beach, festival, or done outdoor activities in them, wash sooner. Insoles should be hand washed more frequently — weekly if you’re wearing the shoes in heavy summer heat.
The Bottom Line
Most fabric and canvas summer shoes — trainers, canvas sneakers, fabric sandals — are machine-washable with the right approach. Leather, cork, suede, and jute are not. For everything that can go in the machine, a Fluffie shoe laundry bag is the key tool that makes the wash safe and effective, protecting your summer footwear while delivering a thorough clean.