How to wash work shoes?

April 24, 2025

Work shoes are subjected to serious tests on a daily basis – dirt, dust, oil and other contaminants inevitably accumulate on boots and shoes. Unlike ordinary trainers or workwear, work shoes are made of particularly durable materials (leather, rubberised fabrics, composite inserts, metal, etc.) and are equipped with protective elements (e.g. metal or composite toe, waterproof membrane). Improper washing can damage such products or deprive them of their protective properties. By following our recommendations, you can effectively clean your work shoes without the risk of ruining them.

Hand washing work shoes

Hand washing is considered the gentlest and safest way to clean work shoes. With manual processing you have better control over the process and can take into account the peculiarities of the material, avoiding factors that can damage the shoes.

How to properly hand wash work shoes:

Prepare your shoes. Before washing, remove coarse dirt and dust from your boots. Dry brush or wooden stick clean the tread of the sole from stones, clods of earth and other debris. Be sure to remove the laces and insoles from the shoes (it is better to wash them separately by hand or replace them in case of heavy wear).
Choose a detergent. Draw warm water (no more than 30-40 °C) into a basin or bucket. Dissolve a small amount of mild detergent in the water: neutral liquid soap, shoe shampoo or special gel for washing delicate fabrics will do. Do not use aggressive powders with bleach or chlorine-containing products – they can destroy the paint, leather or membrane.
Washing the upper and inner part. If the shoes are leather – do not soak them completely. Moisten a soft sponge or cloth with soapy water and gently wipe the outer surface, paying attention to dirty areas. A stiff brush can be used to gently scrub particularly dirty areas on the sole or toe, but do not rub too hard to avoid damaging the material. Textile shoes (made of fabric or man-made materials) can be gently immersed in water and rubbed a little with a soft-pile brush. The inner lining of shoes can also be hand-washed with a sponge – especially if sweat or dirt has accumulated inside.
Rinse. After cleaning, rinse off the detergent thoroughly. For leather shoes, wipe them several times with a clean, damp cloth, removing any soap residue. Fabric shoes can be rinsed in clean water. Make sure there is no soap solution left inside, otherwise it may leave streaks when drying or cause irritation to the skin of the feet when worn again.
Drying. Do not dry work shoes on a radiator, near an open fire or with a hot hairdryer: the sharp heat deforms the sole, leather and glued elements. It is better to let the shoes dry naturally at room temperature. To speed up the process, fill the inside of each shoe with crumpled newspapers or paper towels – the paper will absorb moisture and keep the shape of the product (replace them as they get wet). Full drying may take 24-48 hours depending on the material and thickness.

Machine washing work shoes

Most manufacturers of safety shoes do not recommend machine washing, especially for leather and heavy safety boots. If you do decide to machine wash your work boots, proceed with the utmost care:

Machine washing rules for work shoes:

Check the manufacturer’s recommendations. Carefully study the labels and instructions for your shoes. Sometimes it is stated that washing in the machine is strictly forbidden – in this case, you should not risk it.
Prepare the shoes. As with hand washing, first remove the laces and take out the insoles – it is better to wash them separately by hand. Wipe off any stuck-on dirt from the soles to avoid clogging the washing machine. Place each shoe in a separate laundry bag (or pillowcase) to protect both the shoes and the machine drum from scratches and bumps.
Select the delicate mode. Set the washing mode for delicate or sports shoes (if available). The water temperature should not exceed 30 °C (cold or slightly warm water). Use the minimum spin speed or switch off spinning altogether – intensive spinning can deform the toe and sole of the shoe.
Use a suitable detergent. Pour a small amount of liquid detergent (gel) into the washing machine compartment. It is better to use liquid laundry gels without a strong odour than powder – the powder may not fully dissolve and get stuck in the seams or woven parts of the shoes.
Drying after machine washing. Take the shoes out immediately after completing the cycle – do not leave them lying wet in a closed machine for a long time. Next, the drying process is similar to that described for hand washing: blot the shoes with a dry cloth, stuff inside with newspaper and dry at room temperature. Do not accelerate drying with heating appliances.

Remember that even if all precautions are taken, machine washing can shorten the life of your work shoes. Use this method only as a last resort when other cleaning methods fail. Alternative methods for cleaning work shoes

If a full wash seems too risky or time-consuming, there are other ways to clean your work shoes. In some cases, you can get by with cleaning without immersion in water or using special products that will remove dirt and germs just as well as washing. Let’s look at a few alternative methods:

Dry cleaning and foaming agents. For leather and composite shoes, dry cleaning is great. Use a special foam or shampoo for shoes: apply the product to the surface of the boots, let it work for a few minutes, then wipe off the dirt with a soft brush or cloth. After treatment, simply wipe the boots with a damp cloth and dry naturally. Foam cleaners are safe for leather and membranes and help remove stains and unpleasant odours without soaking.
Localised cleaning of dirt. If only part of the shoe is dirty (e.g. the toe or sidewall), it is not necessary to wash the whole pair. You can spot-clean a specific spot. Dampen a sponge with soapy water and treat only the soiled area, taking care not to soak the entire shoe with water. Then remove the soap with a clean, damp cloth and dry the treated area.
Disinfect and remove odour without washing. Often shoes are washed not so much because of external dirt, but because of bad odour or bacteria inside. This can be dealt with without immersing the shoes in water. Remove the insoles and treat the inside of the shoe with an antibacterial spray or solution (e.g. a weak solution of manganese or vinegar with 1:1 water, but be careful with genuine leather). There are also ultraviolet dryers for shoes, which in a few hours destroy bacteria and fungus from the inside, eliminating odour.
Steam cleaning. Steam treatment is an effective method of cleaning and disinfecting. If you have a steam cleaner or household steamer, you can use hot steam to clean the surface of your shoes from dirt and kill germs at the same time. Steam is good at softening dried-on dirt – after a steam “bath” you just need to wipe the shoes with a brush. However, be careful with leather and glue seams: do not keep the steam for a long time in one place, so as not to soften the glue too much.
Professional cleaning. If you are afraid of ruining expensive special shoes by washing them yourself, you can give them to the experts. Some shoe repair shops or dry cleaners offer shoe cleaning service. They know how to handle different materials and use professional cleaning and disinfecting products.