From hard-working running shoes to delicate ballet pumps, there are inevitably times when your shoes will pick up dirt and marks, or take on unpleasant odours. Being able to clean your shoes means you can restore them to their best and help them last as long as possible.

But what’s the best way to clean shoes? Is it necessary to wash them by hand? Or can you throw a pair of shoes in the washing machine?

Here’s a quick guide to the best way to get your favourite shoes looking and smelling great again. We’ll also reveal the benefits of Boot Buddy, the handy tool that’s going to help you make light work of your shoe maintenance, whichever method you choose.

Yes, you can, and there are occasions when it’s possible to wash some shoes in a washing machine.

If your shoes aren’t made of expensive, delicate materials or treated with high-performance finishes, you should be able to get away with using the washer to freshen up smelly or dirty shoes. Synthetic fabrics such as polyester, as well as hard-wearing fabrics like cotton, canvas and nylon can usually be washed in a machine, as long as you select the correct cycle and don’t use a high-temperature wash.

The best way to check whether your shoes are suitable for a machine wash is to check the care label inside the shoe. If the label clearly states a suitable machine cycle, you should be fine using the washer, ensuring you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines.

As long as you stick to the instructions about the recommended washing cycle and the correct temperature to use, washing your shoes in a machine may be a convenient way to get them clean.

Although it may seem easier to let your machine do the hard work of cleaning your shoes, there are many occasions when this could be a false economy. There’s a wide range of shoes and materials that should never be washed in a machine.

This is because high temperatures and aggressive spin cycles can damage both the fabric and the integrity of the shoe. Washing some shoes in the washer can affect their colours or texture, and may even cause damage to the machine itself, making it a very costly mistake.

If you’re in any doubt about whether your shoes will survive a machine cycle, the safest bet is to wash them by hand, especially if they’re beloved favourites or they were expensive. It’s also likely that you’ll get more satisfactory results, particularly if your shoes need a little extra attention to remove stains and marks.

Hand-washing reduces the risk of damaging your shoes, and you also have more control over the process. The good news is that hand-washing can be a quick and easy process, plus you get to enjoy the peace of mind that there will be no damage to your shoes or washing machine.

Here are some of the types of shoes that are usually best washed by hand;

• Delicate fabrics such as satin and silk, or animal-based materials such as suede shoes and leather shoes.
  
  
• Boots and shoes with embellishments, accessories, buckles etc.
  
  
• Expensive footwear (unless the care label clearly states they’re suitable for a machine wash).
  
  
• High-performance sport shoes, as these are often treated with special finishes that can be degraded by a machine wash.
  
  
• Strong or bright colours, eg neons.
  
  
• Shoes that are heavily marked or have deeply ingrained stains that require hand-washing techniques.
  
  
• Shoes or boots that have rubber uppers or soles that can be degraded by machine washing.

Whether you’re washing your shoes by hand or using a machine, there are some basic prep steps that will make the washing process easier.

Removing shoe laces and insoles etc will help to make cleaning the main body of the shoe quicker and easier. These can be washed separately if required, for example, in a mesh garment bag in the washing machine, or left to air as you wash the shoes.

Depending on how delicate your shoes are, you may need to be careful when removing excess mud and dirt from the upper part of the shoe. You don’t want to create more work or make stains worse by rubbing loose dirt into the show. For most shoes, gently wiping away loose dirt and debris with a damp cloth is enough to prep the shoes for a more thorough wash.

When it comes to the soles of the shoes - the part that faces the most wear and tear - you can usually be a bit more relaxed about the cleaning prep. Use a good, strong bristle brush, damp rag, or shoe cleaning tool to clean off as much mud and dirt as you can, to make the main cleaning work quicker, easier and less messy.

If you need to deal with particular stains on your shoes, it’s a good idea to pre-treat these areas before you wash the entire shoe. Use a soft brush or (clean) old toothbrush to gently rub the stain remover into the fabric and leave for the specified time. If using a homemade solution, such as baking soda and warm water, you can usually let it sit overnight, and then wash as normal the next day.

You might think that any shoes suitable for machine washing can simply be thrown in with your regular wash. However, if you want to protect your clothes, your shoes, and the machine itself, here’s a quick overview of the Dos and Don’ts for cleaning your shoes in a washer.

• Remove all laces, inner soles, embellishments and loose accessories.
  
  
• Check the care label and select the appropriate cycle.
  
  
• Put the shoes in a mesh laundry bag or pillowcase to prevent them from snagging and causing damage to either the shoe or the machine.
  
  
• Wash separately from your usual wash load. This will help to prevent the mud from those football boots or trainers from affecting your crisp white shirts or silk blouses. It will also prevent any issues of colours and dyes transferring from your clothes to your shoes or vice versa.
  
  
• Throw in a few old towels if you’re only washing one or two pairs of shoes, as this will stop them clattering around too much and potentially damaging the shoes.
  
  
• Select a cool or gentle cycle for delicate shoes.

• Avoid washing dirty, muddy shoes with your regular laundry load.
  
  
• Never mix bright or strong colours, as these can run or transfer.
  
  
• Don’t overload the machine with too many pairs of shoes.
  
  
• Avoid using washing powder - use a liquid detergent or laundry pods suitable for washing shoes.

Unless machine washing is clearly stated on the care label, it’s almost always better to wash shoes by hand. There are a range of advantages in choosing this method, such as maintaining the shape of the shoe, more effective stain removal, and a higher degree of protection. Plus, with a little know-how and the right tools, hand-washing shoes can be a quick and easy way to get your shoes looking like new.

1. Follow the basic pre-washing prep, as outlined above, ie remove dirt and loose parts such as laces and inner soles.

2. Pre-treat or spot-clean any stubborn stains.

3. Create your cleaning solution. A mix of hot water and washing-up liquid is a simple but effective solution for cleaning most types of shoes. You can also use laundry detergent or two cups of laundry powder mixed with water - make sure to dissolve properly to avoid clumps and discoloured patches.

4. Gently scrub the shoes using a special shoe-cleaning tool, if you have one, or an old toothbrush or nail brush.

5. Rinse the shoes carefully, using clean, cold water. For delicate materials, avoid using more water than is necessary, as too much moisture can cause damage and lead to longer drying times.

NB: If your shoes are made from an extremely delicate or expensive fabric, it may be worth seeking the advice of a cleaning specialist.

In the same way that some shoes can be washed in a machine, there are some occasions when it is generally safe to put shoes in the dryer.

In most cases, however, many experts and shoe manufacturers don’t recommend putting shoes in a tumble dryer. Likewise, it’s best to avoid using any direct sources of high heat, such as a fan heater or hair dryer. Even direct sunlight can be damaging to shoes, potentially fading colours or causing cracks in the fabric.

The safest option is always to allow shoes to air dry whenever possible. This will prevent any potential damage to the shoes, such as shrinkage or glue disintegration.

If you need to speed up the process, you can insert scrunched-up paper towels or stuff clean rags into the shoes. This will help to absorb excess moisture. It will also help the shoes to maintain their shape as they dry.

If you have a variety of types of footwear made of different fabrics and with different care instructions, it’s likely that you’ll use both machine-washing and hand-washing methods to keep your shoes clean and fresh.

This is where Boot Buddy can help you in a number of ways. As a 3-in-1 shoe cleaning tool, it can help with both the basic prep required for any shoe-cleaning method, as well as the process of hand-washing your shoes. The handy water-storage handle allows you to deliver the perfect amount of cleaning solution, and the brush head lets you work the mix into the fabric with the required amount of pressure and moisture. This is essential for delicate fabrics such as suede or silk.

Designed to be portable and travel-friendly, Boot Buddy is your perfect ally for the on-the-go cleaning that not only makes shoe maintenance easier, it will also keep mud, dirt, and grime out of your sports kits and your laundry room.

Boot Buddy is your perfect partner for keeping all your shoes looking their best, smelling fresh, and lasting as long as possible.

Washing machines can seem like a convenient solution to dirty or smelly shoes, and in some cases, they can be a quick way to get shoes clean.

However, if you’re at all uncertain about the best way to clean your shoes, or you’re particularly keen to avoid damaging expensive, delicate, or much-loved footwear, these basic tips will help you to quickly and easily hand-wash your favourite shoes safely. And if you’d like to make this ideal option even more convenient, check out the range of Boot Buddy shoe-cleaning tools here.