Can You Machine Wash TOMS? 7-Step Safe Cleaning Guide

If you are asking, can you machine wash TOMS, the answer is yes-but only if you execute the proper method. As a professional dry cleaner and textile scientist, I constantly see customers bring in ruined canvas shoes. Improper washing transforms a comfortable, fitted slip-on into a shriveled, stiff mass with a peeling rubber sole and a faded, chalky patch where the dye washed away.

You can restore your favorite shoes to their original, pristine condition and eliminate the sharp, sour odor of bacterial byproducts, but you must respect the chemistry of the materials. Here is the strict, science-backed protocol to safely machine wash your TOMS.

TL;DR: The Machine Washing Rules

Yes, you can machine wash Classic Canvas TOMS. However, you must take specific precautions to avoid destroying the structural integrity of the shoe. Remove the insoles, place the shoes in a polyamide mesh laundry bag, and wash on a cold, delicate cycle (under $30^\circ\text{C}$ / $86^\circ\text{F}$) using a mild, enzyme-free liquid detergent.

Never machine wash leather, suede, lace, or rope-soled (Alpargata) TOMS. Always air dry the shoes. Exposing them to the intense heat of a tumble dryer will melt the sole adhesives, detach the upper, and ruin the shoe permanently.

The Material Science of Your TOMS

Understanding exactly what your shoes are made of explains why a standard heavy-duty wash cycle will easily destroy them. A shoe is not a single textile; it is a composite structure.

• Medium-Weight Cotton Canvas: The primary upper material of classic TOMS is woven cotton. Cotton is highly absorbent and susceptible to cellulose fiber swelling when saturated with water. As the water penetrates, the fibers expand and distort. If dried incorrectly, the canvas will warp, causing noticeable shrinkage.
• EVA & TPR Outsoles: TOMS outsoles utilize lightweight Ethyl Vinyl Acetate (EVA) or Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR). These synthetic polymers are bonded to the canvas upper using a highly heat-sensitive ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer adhesive. Exceeding $30^\circ\text{C}$ ($86^\circ\text{F}$) approaches the glass transition temperature (T_g) of this glue. As the glue approaches T_g, it liquefies, causing the sole to delaminate and peel away from the fabric.
• Elastic V-Goring: The flexible "V" panel on the top of the shoe contains synthetic neoprene and elastane. These fibers degrade, snap, and lose their elastic memory if exposed to oxidizing agents like chlorine bleach or high thermal stress.
• The Insole Dilemma (Suede vs. Ortholite): Classic TOMS feature a fixed suede leather footbed glued directly to the inside of the shoe. Suede is a delicate, brushed animal hide with a napped texture. Saturating suede in a washing machine strips its natural oils. It will dry incredibly stiff, crack, and curl at the edges. Modern TOMS feature removable cellular polyurethane foam (Ortholite) insoles, which handle washing much better but still require a low-agitation approach.

The TOMS Material Washing Matrix

Before loading your shoes into the washing machine drum, consult this matrix to verify if your specific pair is physically safe for wet-cleaning.

How to Machine Wash TOMS: The 7-Step Preservation Protocol

Execute this precise 7-step method to clean your canvas TOMS without weakening the glue lines, shrinking the fabric, or stripping the dye.

Step 1: Prep and Debris Removal

Before applying any moisture, use a dry, soft-bristled brush (an old toothbrush works perfectly) to sweep away loose dirt, dried mud, and gritty debris from the canvas upper and the rubber outsole. Washing shoes while they are still covered in dry dirt creates a muddy slurry inside the machine. This slurry acts as a dye, permanently staining light-colored canvas fibers with a brown, oily residue.

Step 2: Address the Insoles (The "Fixed Suede" Bypass)

Check the Care Label: If it says 'Dry Clean Only', do not wash. If the shoe is washable, you must isolate the insoles.

• If your insoles are removable (Ortholite/Foam): Pull them completely out. Hand wash them separately in cool water with a small drop of mild dish soap. Rinse thoroughly, then press them dry between two absorbent towels to extract the moisture.
• If your insoles are glued-in suede: Do not submerge them. Create a thick paste using 1 tablespoon (15g) of sodium bicarbonate ($\ce{NaHCO3}$) and a few drops of water ($\ce{H2O}$). Gently scrub the suede footbed inside the shoe using a toothbrush. The mildly alkaline baking soda lifts body oils and neutralizes Brevibacterium linens-the specific bacteria responsible for foul foot odor. Wipe the paste away with a damp, wrung-out microfiber cloth. Leave the insoles in place, but rely on the following steps to limit their water exposure.

Step 3: Bag the Shoes

Place your prepped TOMS inside a polyamide mesh laundry bag. Close the zipper securely. The mesh bag acts as a physical barrier. It shields the woven canvas and the elastic V-goring from direct, aggressive mechanical abrasion against the metal agitator or drum walls, which will cause the fabric to fray prematurely.

Step 4: Load with Buffer Towels

Never wash any footwear alone in an empty machine. Add 2 to 3 old, light-colored bath towels to the drum alongside the mesh bag. These towels create a physical buffer, stopping the shoes from slamming violently against the side of the drum. Just like when you wash Vans in the washer, adding this padding protects your washing machine's internal suspension system and stops the shoe's structural adhesive bond from cracking under impact.

Step 5: Select Detergent Chemistry

Put away your standard household laundry detergent. Traditional detergents rely on cellulase enzymes to clean. These enzymes microscopically break down cotton canvas fibers over time, thinning the fabric. Standard detergents also contain optical brighteners that leave a chemical residue, reacting with sunlight to cause white shoes to turn a dingy yellow.

Instead, dose the machine with 1 to 2 tablespoons (15ml to 30ml) of a pH-neutral, non-ionic surfactant liquid detergent (such as a dedicated delicates wash or a specialty sneaker shampoo). These formulas lift oily soils without altering the pH of the canvas.

Step 6: Configure the Machine (Temperature & RPM)

Set your washing machine strictly to a delicate or gentle cycle. Verify the following physical parameters:

• Water Temperature: Cold, strictly under $30^\circ\text{C}$ ($86^\circ\text{F}$). Hotter water will induce adhesive liquefaction.
• Spin Speed: Low spin or "no spin" (under 600 RPM). Excessive centrifugal force during a high-speed spin cycle will permanently distort the canvas upper and warp the flexible EVA outsole. This low-agitation approach is identical to the method you would use to wash Allbirds safely.

Step 7: The Scientific Drying Protocol

Never put TOMS in the clothes dryer. The intense thermal heat will rapidly melt the ethylene-vinyl acetate adhesive, causing immediate and total sole delamination.

1. Remove the shoes from the washing machine. Press a clean, dry towel against the canvas to soak up excess surface water.
2. Structural Stuffing: Stuff the toe box and heel tightly with white, unprinted packing paper or parchment paper. This physical tension holds the canvas taught as it dries, countering the natural cellulose fiber swelling and preventing the shoe from shrinking. Avoid using ink-heavy newspaper; the wet canvas will absorb the carbon ink, transferring text directly onto your shoes.
3. Place the stuffed shoes in a well-ventilated space with constant airflow, keeping them far away from direct sunlight. UV rays degrade synthetic rubber and will fade colored canvas dyes rapidly.

"Laundry Lab" Pro Tips for Pristine TOMS

• The "Cornstarch Shield" for White Canvas: Once your washed white TOMS are damp-dry (about 50% dry), dust a light, even layer of pure cornstarch directly over the canvas. Capillary action forces the remaining internal moisture to wick to the surface. As the water evaporates, the cornstarch absorbs any dissolved dirt or detergent residue, preventing those unsightly, yellow "water halo" rings from forming along the seams. Brush the dry, crusty powder off completely once the shoes are 100% dry.
• Post-Wash Suede Revival: If your fixed suede insoles feel slightly stiff after air drying, take a dry, clean suede brush or a standard emery board. Gently brush the surface of the leather in one continuous direction to separate the fibers and restore the plush, napped texture.
• Dye Migration Prevention: Highly saturated canvas pigments-especially deep reds, navy blues, or pitch black-are highly prone to dye bleeding. Loose dye molecules will leach out in the wash water and stain the white outsoles or the elastic gore strips. Similar to when you wash Hey Dude shoes, add a commercial color-catcher sheet directly into the mesh laundry bag to trap free-floating dye molecules before they settle on the rubber.

The Odor-Neutralizing Chemistry Rinse

If your TOMS suffer from severe bacterial odor, you can add 1/2 cup (120ml) of distilled white vinegar (acetic acid) to the fabric softener dispenser during the wash. Vinegar breaks down alkaline soap residues and kills off remaining bacteria. If any baking soda ($\ce{NaHCO3}$) remains on the insole from your pre-treatment, the acetic acid ($\ce{CH3COOH}$) will safely react with it in a simple neutralization process:

$$\ce{NaHCO3 + CH3COOH -> CH3COONa + H2O + CO2^}$$

This reaction produces sodium acetate, water, and harmless carbon dioxide gas, leaving the shoe smelling perfectly neutral and fresh without heavy artificial perfumes.

3 Critical Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using Chlorine Bleach on White TOMS: Bleach ($\ce{NaClO}$) is highly oxidative. It reacts violently with the polyurethane sizing agents coated on white canvas and the synthetic rubber in the midsoles. Bleaching white TOMS will not brighten them; it will trigger a chemical reaction that turns the shoes a permanent, dingy yellow that cannot be reversed.
2. Using Hot Water: Sustained water temperatures exceeding $40^\circ\text{C}$ ($104^\circ\text{F}$) will surpass the glass transition temperature (T_g) of the shoe's structural glue. The adhesive will soften, stretch, and fail, causing the canvas upper to peel completely away from the rubber base.
3. Washing with Dark Denim: Cotton canvas acts like a sponge for loose dye. Never wash light-colored TOMS with dark jeans, navy towels, or highly dyed garments. The shoes will readily absorb the bleeding dye, resulting in large, irreversible blue stains across the canvas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I machine wash glitter or sequined TOMS?

No. The mechanical agitation of a washing machine will dissolve and strip the synthetic adhesive backing holding the glitter and sequins in place. This leaves bald patches on your shoes and deposits microplastics that will clog your washing machine's drain pump filter. Hand clean these styles carefully.

How do I stop my TOMS from smelling without washing them?

Sprinkle 1 tablespoon (15g) of sodium bicarbonate directly inside each shoe and let them sit for 24 hours. The baking soda naturally neutralizes the acidic byproducts produced by bacteria. Shake or vacuum out the fine white powder the next morning before wearing.

How long do TOMS take to air dry?

Depending on your home's relative humidity and ambient temperature, stuffed canvas TOMS take 24 to 48 hours to dry completely. Swap out the damp paper stuffing every 6 hours during the first day to accelerate the moisture-wicking process and stop bacterial spores from colonizing the damp fabric.

Can I dry clean my TOMS?

No. Standard dry cleaning utilizes perchloroethylene (perc) or hydrocarbon solvents. These harsh chemical solvents will aggressively dissolve the specialty adhesives bonding the canvas uppers to the EVA or TPR soles, causing the entire shoe to fall apart into separate pieces. Wet cleaning is the only safe method.