How to Wash Shoes: Shoes follow us everywhere—dirty roads, school campuses, office buildings, even chai joints on rainy days. Of course, they get dirty. But the real question is, how do you clean them without destroying them? Whether they are muddy sneakers or regular canvas shoes, Laundry Uncle is here to guide you through easy steps—or better still, do it all for you!
We cater to Lucknow and Ayodhya with pickup & delivery shoe wash service, so if you’re not feeling up to scrubbing, we’ve got you covered!
Table of Contents
Why Cleaning Your Shoes Matters
Regardless of whether it is costly or for daily use, clean shoes stay fresh and smell fresher for a longer period. Filth, grease, and moisture not only appear ugly but also harm the material and cut your shoe’s lifespan short. Particularly for white sneakers, sports shoes, or school shoes for children—frequent washing is the key.
Shoe Washing Essentials—DIY or Laundry Uncle?
Some shoes are safe for machine washing (like canvas or athletic shoes), while others (like leather, suede, or shoes with embroidery) need special hand care.
Still unsure? Just hand them over to Laundry Uncle, and we’ll choose the best method based on fabric type and finish.
✅ Things You’ll Need (Or We’ll Use at Laundry Uncle!): Shoe cleaning
- Mesh laundry bags
- Mild liquid detergent
- Old toothbrush or soft brush
- Baking soda
- White vinegar or lemon juice
- Clean towels
- Toothpick for detailing
A washing machine (or our industrial washer)
Step-by-Step Guide to Washing Shoes (At Home)
If you’re doing it yourself, here’s our expert guide from Laundry Uncle’s shoe cleaning team:
Step 1: Check Wash Instructions for Wash Shoes
Always check the label. Canvas or fabric shoes? Great—machine wash is fine. Leather or suede? Strictly no machine wash. For those, we recommend our professional hand cleaning.
Step 2: Remove the Laces
Remove the laces and soak them separately in warm soapy water. They are dirt magnets and don’t clean well if left on. We soak and scrub laces separately at Laundry Uncle to prevent residue.
Step 3: Pre-brush the Shoes
Brush away dried mud or dirt using a toothbrush. Use a toothpick for those tight lace holes. This reduces machine stress and yields better results.
Step 4: Target the Stains
Spot treat with vinegar or lemon juice. For white sneakers, we are obsessed with the magic formula of baking soda + detergent + warm water. Brush on and let it sit and then scrub.
Laundry Uncle Tip: We utilize stain removers that are specific to shoe type—so no material damage, just clean kicks!
Step 5: Take Out and Clean the Insoles
Insoles tend to retain smell and sweat. Clean them using soapy water or vinegar solution. Dry separately. We also deodorize insoles at Laundry Uncle, so your shoes remain odor-free.
Step 6: Wash with a Mesh Bag
Place shoes in a mesh laundry bag to safeguard them against machine abuse. Include some old towels to weigh down the drum and avoid banging.
Step 7: Use Appropriate Machine Settings
- Cycle: Delicate or gentle
- Spin: Slow spin or no spin
- Detergent: Mild liquid detergent only
- Water: Lukewarm or cold
Laundry Uncle’s pro tip: Powder detergents tend to leave behind residue on fabric shoes. We always use liquid for a cleaner finish.
Step 8: Air Dry Properly
After being washed, never dry your shoes using a dryer—they will warp. Instead, lay them out on newspaper and pack the insides with paper balls to dry and keep them in shape.
We at Laundry Uncle air-dry shoes using UV protection units to naturally dry shoes without shrinking or turning yellow.
Don’t want to do all this? Simply book Laundry Uncle!
If the thought of brushing, scrubbing, and waiting is too much—we completely understand. That’s why we provide:
✅ Lucknow & Ayodhya shoe wash service(Shoe Laundry) Pickup & Delivery
✅ Fabric-specific shoe cleaning (canvas shoes, sports shoes, leather shoes, boots, school shoes)
✅ Deodorizing & stain removal
✅ Hand-finished drying to maintain shape & color
✅ Reasonable prices & easy booking
Available In:
Lucknow: Gomti Nagar, Hazratganj, Aliganj, Indira Nagar, Ashiyana, and more
Ayodhya: Naya Ghat, Ramkot, Civil Lines, Faizabad Road & surrounding areas
How to Book shoe wash service?
- Go to our website: LaundryUncle.in
- Get pickup within 30–60 minutes
Relish fresh, clean, and odorless shoes—returned in 24–48 hrs
Final Words from Laundry Uncle: How To Wash Shoes In Your Washing Machine
Washing shoes properly lengthens their lifespan, maintains their freshness, and safeguards your feet from bacteria and odor. But if you’re in a hurry or don’t want to ruin them, leave it to Laundry Uncle’s shoe spa service.
Because some stains are too obstinate, but we never are.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I machine wash my shoes?
Yes, only some types of shoes, such as canvas, athletic, or fabric-based shoes (commonly cotton, polyester, or nylon) can be washed in a washing machine. But never put leather, suede, or embellished shoes in a washing machine — they need to be hand washed, which Laundry Uncle is an expert at!
What shoes should not be machine washed?
Do not machine wash:
Leather shoes
Suede shoes
Vinyl-based shoes
Shoes with embroidery, sequins, or heavy ornamentation
These require gentle hand washing. At Laundry Uncle, we wash such shoes by hand in fabric-safe solutions.
What if I’m not sure about the material of my shoes?
No problem! Simply give your shoes to Laundry Uncle. Our professionals will examine the fabric and select the correct cleaning process. You don’t need to make an educated guess—we’ll do it for you!
Should I take out laces and insoles before sending shoes for washing?
It’s ideal, but if you forget, no worries. Our staff takes out laces and insoles for thorough, deep cleaning. We even deodorize and disinfect insoles separately for freshness.
How do Laundry Uncle clean shoes?
We have a 5-step professional shoe laundry process:
Pre-treatment of stains
Fabric-safe cleaning depending on shoe type
Insole deodorizing & sole brushing
Gentle drying with UV-safe methods
Shape-holding with filling and soft air-drying
How do you get stains and odors out of shoes?
Yes! From mud and sweat to food and water stains, our staff employs environmentally friendly stain removal products to extract dirt without damaging your shoes. We also apply baking soda and smell-control treatments for lasting freshness.
Will washing shrink or ruin my shoes?
Not with us! At Laundry Uncle, we never subject your shoes to harsh heat or tumble dryers. All shoes are air-dried naturally, holding shape, color, and fabric strength.