Running shoes get dirty – it's inevitable. Cleaning them promptly will keep them fresh, flexible and breathable, but washing them the wrong way can cause them to fail early, abrading the mesh upper, cracking the rubber sole, damaging the stitching, and breaking down the adhesives holding the components together (our guide to the anatomy of a running shoe explains how important that is).
Your washing machine might have a special setting for cleaning sports shoes, which will typically use cool water and minimal spinning, but the safest option is always to wash them by hand instead.
