How to Wash Water Shoes? | Keep Them Fresh

Water shoes are cleaned by rinsing off debris and hand-washing with mild soap, though machine-washing on a gentle cold cycle works for many pairs.

For the full breakdown, see our best Athletic Water Shoes guide.

Whether your pair smells like lake water or has sand packed into every seam, the right washing method keeps them wearable for seasons. Most water shoes handle a simple rinse or a gentle machine cycle fine, but the drying rules matter just as much as the washing ones. Here is what actually works without wrecking the materials.

Check the Care Label First

Before any water touches your shoes, look at the care tag inside. It tells you whether the manufacturer permits machine washing or expects hand-washing only. That one label prevents most accidental damage.

If the tag is gone or unreadable, inspect the shoe itself. Solid molded rubber or EVA construction with no fabric panels and no visible glue lines is usually safe for a careful machine cycle. Shoes with mesh, textile, or stitched components need the gentler hand-wash route, since agitation can loosen glue and fray fabric.

Hand-Washing Water Shoes: The Safest Method

Hand-washing works for every type of water shoe and carries the lowest risk of damage.

• Rinse both shoes under lukewarm running water to knock off loose dirt and grit.
• Fill a basin or sink with lukewarm water and add a small squirt of mild dish soap or hand soap.
• Let the shoes soak for 15–20 minutes to loosen embedded grime.
• Scrub gently with a soft-bristled brush, paying extra attention to seams and the sole.
• Rinse thoroughly until no soap remains.
• Remove the insoles if they come out, and wash them separately the same way.

You will know the rinse worked when the water runs clear and no suds cling to the fabric.

Machine-Washing Water Shoes: When It Works

Machine washing is fine for water shoes that are entirely molded rubber or EVA, with no fabric or glue holding them together. For those pairs, the washer saves real time.

• Place the shoes in a mesh laundry bag so they do not bang around the drum.
• Remove the laces and any removable insoles first.
• Add a few towels or old clothes to balance the load and cushion the shoes.
• Select a gentle or delicate cycle with cold or lukewarm water.
• Use mild liquid detergent only — never bleach or fabric softener.
• Keep the spin speed low if your machine offers that option.

When the cycle finishes, the shoes should look visibly cleaner with no remaining grit trapped in the tread.

If your water shoes have any fabric panels, stitched sections, or glued components, skip the washer entirely. The agitation can separate glued soles and fray mesh beyond repair. Hand-washing is the dependable route for those pairs. For the right footwear to start with, take a look at our tested roundup of the best athletic water shoes for men and women.

Drying Water Shoes the Right Way

Never put water shoes in a dryer. High heat warps rubber soles, cracks EVA foam, and shrinks any fabric elements, so air-drying is the only safe option.

After washing, gently squeeze out excess water without wringing or twisting the shoes. Stuff them with dry towels or newspaper to help them hold their shape while they dry, then set them in a shaded, well-ventilated spot. Keep them away from direct sunlight and radiators, since intense heat causes the same warping and cracking a dryer would. Depending on the material and humidity, expect a full dry in 12 to 24 hours.

Three common mistakes cause most ruined water shoes: using bleach or fabric softener, running a hot or high-agitation cycle, and skipping the mesh bag so shoes clatter around the washer. Skipping the pre-rinse also leaves grit embedded in seams, so always knock off loose debris first.