Should You Remove Laces and Insoles Before Washing Shoes?

Treat the shoe as a set of components

That is why preparation should not begin with a universal command such as “remove everything” or “leave everything in.” Begin with the care label and current manufacturer guidance for the exact pair.

Official guidance often recommends removing laces and removable insoles before a machine wash. Whirlpool advises removing laces and washing them in a closed mesh garment bag, while removable insoles are generally washed by hand unless their instructions say otherwise. Maytag similarly describes removing laces, insoles, and excess dirt before washing shoes.

These are useful general patterns, but they do not override a model-specific instruction.

Why remove the laces?

Removing laces can make it easier to:

If the lace material is machine washable, official guidance may recommend placing the laces in a securely closed mesh bag. Leather laces, specialty finishes, decorative lace systems, and damaged aglets may require another method.

Do not use bleach or a strong cleaner merely because the laces are white. Follow the lace or shoe manufacturer’s material guidance and spot-test when appropriate.

• Access dirt around the tongue and eyelets.
• Clean the laces as separate components.
• Keep loose laces from tangling inside the washer.
• Open the shoe for inspection and drying.

Why remove removable insoles?

Insoles can retain water and may take longer to dry than the shoe exterior. Whirlpool notes that machine-washed insoles may become waterlogged and can take days to dry. Nike advises removing insoles for separate cleaning and allowing them to dry fully before returning them to the shoes.

Removal also creates an opportunity to inspect:

Do not force out an insole that is fixed or glued in place. Pulling can cause damage before washing even begins.

• Whether the insole is designed to come out.
• Whether foam, fabric, printing, or adhesive is already deteriorating.
• Whether odor or residue is concentrated in the removable component.
• Whether the insole has its own care instructions.

A component-by-component decision table

• Shoe: Is the exact pair machine washable?: Inspect and remove loose dirt: A washing bag does not change material limits
• Laces: Can this lace material be machine washed?: Remove and contain separately when permitted: Avoid tangling; specialty laces may need hand cleaning
• Removable insoles: Does the maker permit machine washing?: Remove and hand clean when directed: They may retain water and need full drying
• Fixed insoles: Are they designed to be removed?: Leave in place unless instructed otherwise: Do not force or tear glued components
• Ornaments or accessories: Are they removable and washable?: Remove when the maker instructs: Loose, delicate, electronic, or decorative parts may rule out machine washing

Preparation sequence before using a shoe washing bag

This sequence keeps preparation decisions separate from the physical job of the washing bags.

• Read the exact shoe care instructions.
• Confirm that machine washing is permitted.
• Brush away loose dirt or mud.
• Inspect seams, glued edges, coatings, prints, trim, lights, and ornaments.
• Remove laces if directed or appropriate for their material.
• Remove only those insoles designed to come out.
• Choose a separate cleaning method for each removed component.
• Place one shoe in each EMOZNY bag and close both drawstrings.
• Use the cycle, temperature, detergent, and load instructions permitted by the shoe and washer manufacturers.

Where should the laces go?

Do not leave loose laces moving freely in the drum. When machine washing is permitted, use a securely closed mesh garment bag intended for small laundry items, or follow the shoe maker’s stated method.

The EMOZNY two-bag instruction is one shoe per bag. It does not automatically establish the best location for laces or insoles. Treat removed components as a separate small-item load decision.

Dry every component completely

The shoe, laces, and insoles may dry at different rates. Reassembling a shoe while an insole remains damp can trap moisture.

Many official shoe-care pages recommend air drying at room temperature or in a ventilated area. Some warn against direct heat or tumble drying. Follow the exact model guidance and allow every component to dry completely before reinserting insoles or relacing the shoe.

The EMOZNY washing bags may be dried on low heat after both removable cord locks are taken off. That instruction applies only to the bags.

Limits to keep in mind

• This page does not prescribe one method for every lace or insole material.
• It does not claim that removing components prevents damage.
• It does not make odor-removal, antimicrobial, or sanitation claims.