How Should You Clean GORE-TEX Footwear?

Start with the footwear maker's instructions

The GORE-TEX Brand says to carefully follow the footwear manufacturer's instructions. That matters because materials outside the membrane, such as leather, trims, adhesives, and insoles, can have their own care limits.

If the shoe maker gives a different method or identifies a material-specific restriction, use that instruction for the exact pair. This guide describes the GORE-TEX Brand's footwear route; it is not permission to use the same method for every shoe or GORE-TEX garment.

Remove loose debris before adding water

Remove the laces, then shake out sand, gravel, and dirt from inside the footwear. If the footbed or insole can be removed, the GORE-TEX Brand says to take it out and shake it clean as well.

Next, brush loose dirt from the outside with a sponge or brush. This staged approach limits the amount of debris that is worked into the upper during the wet-cleaning step.

Use a limited hand-cleaning route

After brushing, use lukewarm water with a small amount of liquid detergent. The GORE-TEX Brand says not to use bleach and not to wash its footwear in a washing machine.

For leather shoes, its instructions again direct readers to the manufacturer's guidance. Do not infer that this hand-cleaning route removes every stain or is suitable for a different material simply because the shoe includes GORE-TEX.

Dry naturally and avoid direct heat

The GORE-TEX Brand recommends natural drying at moderate temperatures and says to avoid direct heat. Do not leave footwear wet for an extended period; a convection-style boot dryer is listed as an option in its guidance.

Drying details can vary with the footwear maker's construction and care label. Treat the source as a GORE-TEX-footwear example rather than a universal temperature or timing rule.

A washing bag does not change a no-machine-wash instruction

EMOZNY Shoe Washing Bags, 2 Pack are for a shoe maker's permitted machine-wash care route. The GORE-TEX Brand's footwear page says not to wash its footwear in a machine, so a bag should not be used to override that instruction.

Use one shoe in each bag only when the exact pair's manufacturer permits machine washing. The bag does not establish that GORE-TEX footwear is machine washable or replace the hand-cleaning limits above.

Use this GORE-TEX footwear checklist

Before choosing a cleaning method, work through these checks.

• Read the footwear maker's care instructions for the exact pair.
• Remove laces and loose debris before wet cleaning.
• Brush away loose dirt, then use lukewarm water and a small amount of liquid detergent.
• Do not use bleach or a washing machine for the GORE-TEX Brand footwear route.
• Dry naturally at moderate temperatures and keep the pair away from direct heat.

Choose your next step

After the maker's cleaning and drying steps, check the place where the pair will be stored. Plan storage after cleaning →