Can Water Shoes Go in the Washing Machine?

Read the permission, not the product category

The words water shoe describe intended use, not a laundry setting. Immersion during an outing is different from repeated impacts against a drum, detergent exposure and a spin cycle. An upper that tolerates swimming may still be joined to its sole in a way that the manufacturer does not want machine washed.

Check the label, box insert or current official product page. Look for explicit washing instructions rather than interpreting quick-drying or washable loosely. If the instructions say hand wash, a laundry bag does not change that permission. If they are missing, ask the maker or use a gentle hand-cleaning approach.

KEEN provides a specific washable-sandal method

KEEN's published guidance for its machine-washable water sandals calls for removing loose debris first, using mild detergent and choosing a gentle cycle with low or no spin. It also says to air dry rather than use a dryer. Verify that the particular sandal falls within that guidance before applying it.

The lesson is not that the washing machine is bad or good in general. It is that the brand has evaluated a particular construction for a particular process. A similar-looking sandal from another brand may use different materials, and the same brand can sell other footwear with different instructions.

Merrell gives a different answer

Merrell's FAQ advises against putting shoes in the washing machine and describes cleaning surface dirt with a brush, water and a soft cloth. Removable insoles can be addressed separately. If your water footwear is a Merrell model, follow that route unless its own specific care instructions say otherwise.

Do not treat conflicting advice as something to average into a gentle machine cycle. It reflects different product constructions and policies. The useful question is which instruction belongs to the pair in front of you, not which internet answer sounds easiest.

Prepare a permitted pair before the cycle

Shake or rinse away sand and mud so the washer is not doing the job of a beach rinse. Check pockets in the sole and strap junctions. Close hook-and-loop fasteners to reduce snagging, and remove any components only as the maker directs. Photograph the care label if you expect to need it again.

Use the specified cleaner and settings. Avoid adding bleach, strong stain remover or extra fragrance unless explicitly allowed. Washing with compatible non-delicate items may buffer the pair if the manufacturer's method recommends it; it is not a reason to put muddy shoes straight in with clean clothing.

The dryer is a separate decision

Permission to machine wash does not imply permission to tumble dry. Washing and drying expose the shoe to different stresses. Follow the drying direction independently, opening the footwear and separating removable parts when instructed so the inside can air out.

Check the result before wearing the pair again. Make sure closures work, the insole lies flat and the sole edge remains attached. If a component has warped or started separating, do not ignore it simply because the cycle followed a familiar setting.

When hand washing is the simpler option

For a small patch of dirt or a routine post-beach rinse, a full machine cycle can be unnecessary even when permitted. A soft brush lets you focus on the dirty area and inspect wear at the same time. It also avoids transferring sand into the washer.

For neoprene booties or mixed-material footwear with uncertain instructions, start with the manufacturer's material-specific care information. Avoid guessing from an unrelated mesh sneaker. The extra minute spent identifying the model is more valuable than a shortcut that leaves the shoe clean but damaged.

Questions about this topic

Continue your research

For a broader comparison, use our water shoes finder and catalog.