How To Wash Hoka Shoes In Washing Machine? [2024]

Hoka shoes have become increasingly popular in recent years among runners and athletes looking for maximum cushioning and comfort. Their thick, padded midsoles provide plenty of shock absorption, making them ideal for long runs and intense workouts.

However, over time dirt, sweat, and grime can build up on the upper knit material of Hoka shoes, making them look dingy and worn. While you can spot clean them by hand, sometimes you just want to throw them in the washing machine for a deep clean. But can you really wash Hoka shoes in the washing machine? Let’s find out.

Assess Your Hoka Shoes’ Condition

Before deciding to machine wash your Hoka shoes, assess their current condition. Check for any visible stains, scuffs, frays, or holes. Press along the midsole and in the heel to see if there are any cracks forming. Also take note of any areas where the tread appears to be wearing thin.

If your shoes are very dirty but otherwise in good shape, then machine washing makes sense. But if the midsoles are compressed or the tread is bald in areas, the intensity of the washing machine may damage them further. For well-worn shoes, stick to hand washing instead.

Gather Your Supplies

Before tossing your Hoka shoes in the wash, you’ll need to gather a few key supplies:

• Mesh laundry bag(s): These will protect your shoes from banging around in the machine
• Mild or athletic shoe detergent: Avoid harsh household detergents
• Old towels: For stuffing shoes to retain shape
• Toothbrush: For spot cleaning the treads
• Secondary cleaning supplies: Baking soda, vinegar, OxiClean (optional)

Use laces-free laundry bags specifically designed for shoes, or improvise with mesh onion/produce bags. Just avoid tightly weaved materials that water cannot permeate.

Remove Laces, Insoles, and Debris

Start by removing the laces and any removable insoles or support frames in your Hoka shoes. This allows the shoes and components to get thoroughly cleaned.

Check over the treads and crevices for small rocks, dirt clods, grass, and other debris stuck on the outsoles. Use tweezers or needle nose pliers to remove any lodged material or pebbles in the treads. You can also use an old toothbrush with warm water and mild dish soap to loosen and scrub out debris along the edges and sides.

Pre-treat Dirty Areas and Stains

Check over the knit fabric upper, collar lining, and interior of your Hoka shoes. Use a toothbrush with warm water and mild detergent to gently scrub any visibly stained areas inside and out.

For stubborn stains, try making a cleaning paste from dish soap and baking soda. Gently scrub and let sit for 15 minutes before rinsing. Vinegar can also help break down stubborn odors and discoloration.

If the mesh knit material has any whitish residue from dried on detergent or hard water stains, soak a clean towel in white vinegar water and gently rub the fabric.

Insert Towels and Tie Shoes Closed

Before placing your Hoka shoes in the washing machine, stuff the toe boxes lightly with towels. Roll washcloths or small towels lengthwise and insert them deep inside the shoes, pressing the knit upper outward. This will help retain their general shape during cleaning.

Tie the shoes closed tightly with the laces or string to prevent the makeshift stuffing inside from falling out during the wash cycle. The towels will also help absorb impact and cushion the shoes as they tumble.

Wash Shoes in Cold Water Delicate Cycle

Set your washing machine to the lowest, gentlest setting, using cold water on the delicate or permanent press cycle. Water that is too hot can degrade the shoe materials and adhesives.

Use an athletic shoe detergent, mild liquid soap, stain remover booster, or OxiClean versatile stain remover in the detergent compartment. Liquid detergents penetrate mesh fabrics better than powder detergents do.

Let the shoes wash on the delicate cold cycle for 10-12 minutes for light soil removal. For dirtier Hoka shoes, allow them to wash for the full cycle.

Optional – Repeat Cycle with Vinegar or Disinfectant

For Hoka shoes with moderate dirt or odor build-up, run them through a second wash cycle. However, this time in place of detergent use white vinegar or a disinfectant cleaner meant for athletic gear.

The vinegar will help break down residues stuck on the fabrics as well as kill odors. Gear disinfectant spray can eliminate bacteria and fungi that cause shoe stench and degrade materials. Just spray it directly into the drum.

Let the shoes soak and swish in the vinegar/disinfectant bath for 10-12 minutes. This will also help further rinse away any soap residue.

Remove and Inspect Shoes

When the washing machine cycle finishes, carefully remove your Hoka shoes checking that the makeshift towel stuffing inside is still in place. Feel along the shoes for any rigid spots, indicating retained water. Gently squeeze to help remove excess moisture.

Give the upper mesh fabric, lining, and removable insoles a close inspection. Check for any apparent damage, holes, glue separation, or cracks/tears. Note if the fabric looks discolored or degraded. Set aside shoes with signs of damage.

Stuff Shoes With Towels to Dry

With clean microfiber cloths or rolled hand towels, stuff both Hoka shoe chambers from toe to heel. Insert extra toweling along the tongue and sides pressing the upper outward. The towels inside the shoes will absorb interior moisture much quicker than air drying alone.

Bend the front tips slightly upward by stuffing additional towel padding into the toe boxes. This shape retention trick will prevent the knit material from sagging as the shoes dry.

Air Dry Hoka shoes Completely Before Next Wear

Arrange stuffed shoes side by side on a drying rack in a well-ventilated area. Adjust their position a few times over 24-48 hours allowing all sides to air dry. The towels will wick away moisture helping the interior dry faster than hanging the shoes to drip dry alone.

Avoid placing just washed shoes directly in sunlight or near heat sources. Excess heat can degrade shoe materials and cause glue bonds to soften and separate prematurely.

Check that shoes are 100% dry before consider re-lacing. Moisture trapped inside can breed bacteria causing unpleasant odors.

Restore Water Protection Sprays

Once shoes are fully dry, use a water-repellent spray made for hiking boots and athletic shoes to restore moisture resistance to the upper knits. Avoid silicone or wax based sprays that may degrade breathability.

Follow directions to lightly mist the exterior mesh fabrics. Work spray into the material along seams using a small towel to prevent dripping. Let fully dry before wearing again. Water protection sprays will need reapplied every few washes.

Sanitize Removable Insoles

Your machine washable Hoka shoe insoles should only take an hour or two to fully dry after washing. But you can speed this along by blotting briskly with clean towels then letting air dry directly on a vent register or in sunlight.

Once totally dry, use Lysol or similar disinfecting wipes containing hydrogen peroxide cleaner to sanitize the top and bottom of removable insoles. This will kill any bacteria that may cause foot odor inside your shoes after washing.

Let the antimicrobial cleaner solution sit for 2-3 minutes before a final wipe down. Allow insoles to dry completely before reinserting into shoes.

Consider Washing Machine Shoe Bags

As an alternative to makeshift mesh produce bags, you can buy reusable mesh laundry bags specifically made for washing shoes. These special shoe bags zip closed and provide extra interior padding and structure to secure shoes inside.

Dedicated shoe wash bags simplify the process without having to stuff interiors with towel filling. Though take note, even these bags won’t prevent damage to worn out shoes not suitable for machine washing in the first place. Still assess shoe condition beforehand.

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