How to Clean Skechers Slip-On Shoes | Machine Wash Guide

One wrong cleaning step can ruin a comfortable pair of slip-ons. The right method comes down to one thing: reading the tag or product page for the little washing-machine icon. If it’s there, you can use the machine. If not, hand washing is the safe bet. Either way, skip the dryer and the bleach entirely. Here’s exactly how to handle both routes, plus what to do with different materials and the common mistakes that shorten a shoe’s life.

How To Tell If Your Slip-Ons Are Machine Washable

Skechers stamps a “Machine Washable” icon on the original packaging and the online product page for compatible styles. Before doing anything, check that mark. If you see it, the shoes can handle a machine cycle; if not, treat them as hand-wash-only. Pairs with the Skechers Arch Fit® insoles have removable footbeds, while the Skechers Air-Cooled Memory Foam® insoles are permanently attached and stay inside during cleaning.

The Machine Wash Method (For Marked Styles Only)

Start by removing the laces and any removable insoles — even slip-ons often have detachable laces, and taking them off lets the shoe clean more evenly. Tap the soles together to knock off loose dirt, then place each shoe in a mesh laundry bag or a standard pillowcase secured at the top. This bag is the layer between the shoes and the machine’s agitation, and it is the part most people skip.

Set the washer to a gentle cycle with cold water and a mild liquid detergent — about a tablespoon is plenty. Hot water and bleach are permanent damage risks. When the cycle finishes, never put the shoes in a dryer. Instead, stuff them with dry paper towels to hold their shape and let them air dry completely away from direct sunlight or a heater. The drying time can take 12 to 24 hours; rushing it with heat is the fastest way to shrink or warp the material.

Hand Washing Non-Machine Washable Slip-Ons

For styles without the Machine Washable mark, mix a few drops of mild laundry detergent with warm water. Dip a soft cloth or a clean, soft-bristle brush into the solution and work it gently across the upper fabric and outsole. Avoid soaking the interior — moisture trapped inside a slip-on’s cushioning takes much longer to dry fully. Wipe the soap away with a clean, damp cloth, then air dry using the same paper-towel method and no direct heat. the fabric feels dry to the touch inside and out, and the shoe holds its original shape with no stiffness.

How To Clean Leather, Suede, And Light-Up Slip-Ons

Leather styles need a cleaner made specifically for leather, followed by periodic conditioning with a leather lotion to keep the material from cracking. Suede and nubuck require a dry brush first — brushing the grain — followed by a specialized suede cleaner, and Skechers recommends a water-proofer spray as a preventive step. Light-up shoes are the exception that proves the rule: do not submerge them in water at all, because the battery and LED compartment is not sealed for immersion. Those get a spot-clean only with a barely damp cloth. For any material, Skechers’ own Athletic Cleanser is one option, but a mild detergent and a soft cloth work just as well.

If you need a reliable replacement after the cleaning routine, our tested roundup of the best casual slip-on shoes for men covers durable options that are easier to maintain from day one. Skechers’ official shoe cleaning page has the full breakdown of care by material type.