How to Wash Hoka Shoes In The Washing Machine

Do you want to know how to wash Hoka Shoes in the Washing Machine?

If you are a regular runner who wears sneakers outside you know exactly how dirty they can get. Dirt and grime can be a struggle especially if you do trail running so what can you do to keep them clean?

If you are anything like me you are probably looking at shortcuts to clean Hoka Shoes. So can you machine wash Hoka Shoes or is this a bad idea?

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Can You Wash Hoka Shoes In The Washing Machine?

Now I know the first thing most people want to know is how to wash Hoka Shoes in the washing machine because it is a quick and easy way to do a thorough clean with minimal effort.

The only problem is that Hoka shoes are very clear that if you do this you could cause your running shoes long-term damage and reduce the life of your very expensive trainers.

So to be clear the official advice is do not use the washing machine to clean Hoka shoes unless you are willing to take the risk of ruining your shoes. The only part of the shoes that can be placed in a washing machine is the laces.

If you are going down this route and are fully aware of the risks then I’m going to tell you the easiest way to do this which can cause the least amount of problems. Just be aware you won’t be able to return your Hokas if anything goes wrong.

How To Wash Hoka Shoes In a Washing Machine

If you are going to use a washing machine to clean your Hoka Running Shoes then you first need to prepare your shoes for the machine.

This means you need to brush off any loose dirt or debris with a soft bristled brush first. Never wash Hoka Shoes in the machine without removing the excess dirt first and that can impact the cleaning process.

Once the dirt has been removed take out the shoes from your shoes and also the insoles if they are removable.

Now place your shoes in a mesh laundry bag or pillowcase before your place them in your washing machine. This is a way of protecting your shoes from hitting the sides of the washer and damaging them. A shoe laundry bag is worth paying for and can help protect your shoes as well as using the gentle cycle on your machine.

When you place your running shoes in the washer don’t add any other laundry into the wash. Also, avoid washing two pairs of shoes at once as they can hit each other as the washing machine makes its circular motions.

The shoe laces can be washed in another clothing load if they are dirty.

Now set your washer to a delicate cycle and choose a cold water setting on your machine. Use a mild detergent for cleaning purposes but avoid the use of fabric softener or bleaching agents. Remember that your Hoka shoes require special care if you are to avoid damaging them.

When the washing cycle has finished add an extra spin to help to remove more water and cut down on your drying time.

Drying Your Running Shoes

When the cycle has ended on your washer you are going to need to dry your Hokas in a well-ventilated area.

Before drying double check to see if there are any remaining stains that you want to remove from your shoes. A mild detergent and soft brush should be all you need if you need to do any extra cleaning.

Once the Hokas are clean enough you can stuff your damp shoes with paper towels to hold their shape and allow them to air dry away from direct sunlight or heat. Direct heat can cause problems so it is always better to allow your shoes to dry naturally where possible.

I would suggest that once you have dried and cleaned your shoes it might be worth thinking about applying a shoe protector spray on your footwear to help with repelling water and stains.

Can You Put Hokas in The Dryer?

Now I know if you are feeling lazy and are tempted to make shortcuts you might consider using a tumble dryer. This is not a great idea.

Tumble driers are much more likely to damage your shoes and cause shrinkage because of the high heat.

It is much safer to let them air dry where possible.

Hoka mentions that using the air dry or gentle setting could work if used carefully but unless you are really in a hurry I would suggest patience and let them air dry to protect their integrity.

Can You Wash Hoka Shoes?

Whilst I have told you how to wash Hoka shoes in the washing machine there are other better ways to clean your running shoes.

Hoka shoes can be washed by hand and in fact, the brand recommends this as the best way to clean dirt and stains from your footwear.

Following the brand’s advice for hand washing your shoes is going to help them last longer which is really important when you are buying premium sneaker brands.

I know we all want to take shortcuts and feel lazy because hand washing is an effort but that effort will be worth it if you want to prolong the life of your Hokas.

How To Clean Hoka Shoes The Right Way

If you really want to clean your Hoka shoes and do it right you really need to follow the simple steps given by the brand. They clearly know the best cleaning solutions for their running shoes and have tested what will work best.

Yes, this will take more time and effort but if you do it right you will save yourself money.

So as before start by disassembling your shoes and start cleaning off the dirt from your sneakers when it is dry. Don’t try and do this when they are wet or still muddy as you will just create a big mess. Dried dirt is much easier to clean off with a soft bristled brush.

Next, get a bowl and mix in your detergent or dish soap with cold water. They get your brush and start to work the lather into any areas of your shoes which look grubby. As the dirt starts to come out wipe it off with a dry cloth. Keep on doing this until you have got off as much dirt as you can.

Get a clean cloth and wipe off any excess detergent or lather with more cold water. Then blot them with a dry cloth until you have removed as much moisture as you can.

As before don’t be tempted to speed up the drying process by placing them in front of a fire or heat source. They need to dry naturally to stop them from warping out of shape.

Check the Cleaning Instructions for More Unusual Materials

Whilst these cleaning instructions work for most Hoka shoes be aware that different fabrics may need more specialist cleaning instructions.

As an example, if you have mesh running shoes then you need to be extra careful with the soft-bristled brush as you can fray the fabric. Hokas feel that dabbing the stain is preferable to rubbing.

If you want to know how to wash white Hoka shoes then I have a specialist post you can read.

Suede or Nubuck is another story completely and if you have Hoka shoes that are made of this look for specialist cleaning products to help. Jason Markk shoe cleaner for example is my go-to when I want gentle cleaning solutions.

If you are in any doubt check the cleaning tips for your particular style or sneakers to make sure that your clean your Hoka shoes without problems.