I know Hoka recommends not to wash them in the machine, but running shoes and walking trainers that have seen a few hundred miles end up looking fairly bashed, mucky and smelly. They get to a point where a scrub with a brush just isn’t enough. By this point, my walking or running shoes still have plenty life in them, but I often used to replace them as they just looked so bad.
Hoka trainers are pillowy soft, and many are on fairly high slabs of foam that allow for maximum cush, comfort and performance. My favourites these days are the Hoka Bondi as they are just so comfortable, but keeping them looking fresh and make me want to keep wearing them, means I turn to the washing machine.
My trainers for this post are past their best and have some scuffs and marks from walking in woods and forests with the dogs. It is always a good idea to test out washing your trainers on an old pair of shoes that you’d just throw out otherwise.
Hoka Recommends
Hoka recommends handwashing with laces and insoles removed.
Machine Washing Trainers
Disclaimer: Don’t do this unless you are prepared for imperfect results. It most definitely isn’t a foolproof way of washing trainers, and there is always an element of risk involved when shoes go into a washing machine.
Step by Step Washing Trainers in the Machine
Have Your Cleaning Products Ready
I use four items to wash my trainers. My washer and dryer have trainer racks, but I don’t use those at all, as I don’t find that a very successful method for me.
My products of choice, along with some regular washing powder, all from Amazon.
Oxy Clean Max Force Stain Remover (Aff Link)
Vanish Stain Remover, Gold Oxi Action Powder (Aff Link)
Reusable Shoe Washing Bag (Aff Link)
Preparation
If you want to, you can remove the laces and insoles. It does help with drying time, though I never remove the laces, I just untie them. I do remove the insoles and also wash them at the same time in a separate bag. Use a hard brush or old toothbrush to loosen and remove baked in dirt. mud and anything else yukky from the soles. I used to try and give the uppers a quick clean too, but no longer do, and just brush off any mud or muck.
Tough Stains
I spray the Oxy Clean Stain Remove on the spots with really rough and tough stains that look as if they won’t come out easily.
My washing machine bags came in a two pack, so I pop insoles into one bag and both shoes into another. I put the shoes in with soles facing each other, so that the bulk of the work of the chenille fabric fibres can really get to work on the trainers. Before closing up the bag, I pour a scoop of the Vanish Oxy Action on top of the trainers in the bag.
Machine Wash
I use cool wash at 20 or 30 degrees. When the bag is in the washing machine.
I throw a scoop of powder on the top of that, set a cool cycle at slow spin speed and let it do its magic. Hot water is likely to damage the foam, so a cool cycle is a must.
Drying
Stuff the shoes with some paper towels or old towels to help them keep the shape and speed up the drying process. I don’t put my shoes into the dryer as I think the washing machine is a big enough risk on its own and my goal is clean and nice smelling trainers.
To dry, I usually put my trainers in the boiler cupboard or close to a radiator but not touching it. I sit the insoles there too, to allow those to also dry out.
Results
This is going to depend on how you approach the trainer cleaning and what your expectations are. My blue ones are waterproof and thick material, and held up perfectly well in the machine.
My black shoes are fabric uppers and less tough, so after a few washes, the black colouring on the sole has discoloured just a little bit with a little flaking, but compared to how bad they looked before washing, I can live with that as these are hard working trainers rather than fashion ones.
Be realistic, as washing hard worked trainers isn’t going to bring them back to factory like new quality, but will give fresh and clean smelling trainers that look much better than mud soaked filthy daily runners.
Disclaimer: Washing trainers is always at your own risk.
