How to Wash Allbirds: What Allbirds and Reviewers Say
Quick answer: Allbirds says most pairs can go in the machine: remove laces and insoles, use a delicates bag, a gentle cold cycle and a little mild detergent, then air dry. No dryer, bleach or softener.
We compare Allbirds and independent sites and show where they disagree.
How to Wash Allbirds: Sources Compared
Allbirds is one of the few shoe brands that says most of its pairs can go in a washing machine. Independent sites mostly agree, with caveats. We read Allbirds (its US shoe care page and washing guide), Allbirds Australia, Durability Matters, We Tried It and Home Gear Geek. They agree on cold water, a gentle cycle, a bag, no dryer and no bleach. They differ on hand versus machine washing, drying time and odor fixes.
| Source | Machine washing | Hand washing | Drying |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allbirds (shoe care) | Most are machine washable “with a few exceptions” it does not name. Remove laces and insoles, delicates bag or pillowcase, gentle cycle, cold water, a small amount of mild detergent. | Warm soapy water, scrub soles first then uppers, wipe off suds, rinse laces and insoles in warm water. | Shake out water, air dry with airflow, no machine dry. Shape returns in one or two wears. |
| Allbirds (washing guide) | Same steps. Front and top loaders the same. No fabric softener, bleach or dry cleaning. | Same. For quick refreshes, a brush or damp cloth. | Air dry in a dry spot with airflow, no dryer. Not for suede or leather, where water may damage. |
| Allbirds Australia | Wool/delicates cycle, cold water, linen bag or pillowcase, gentle detergent. Avoid bleach “at all costs”. | Hand wash insoles for best results. | Do not tumble dry. Air dry at least 24 hours before reinserting insoles and laces. |
| Durability Matters | Garment bag or light towels, gentle cycle, cold water, no heavy-load cycle, no softener or bleach. | Soak 20 minutes in mild soapy water, rinse in cold water. | Upright on a towel in a ventilated room. Can take up to two days. |
| We Tried It | Cold delicate cycle with Woolite Dark. Washed 8 pairs. | Hand wash in warm water with gentle soap also works (Mizzles). | Hang dry only. 12 to 24 hours in one section, 1.5 to 2 days for wool styles in another. |
| Home Gear Geek | Lists some models (Tree Runners and Dasher) as machine washable on gentle cold with a mesh bag. Its FAQ says machine washing is not recommended. | Recommended for most models. Gentle soap in cold water on a cloth, soak about 30 minutes. | Away from sun and heat. Stuff with paper towels or newspaper. |
Allbirds sells these shoes, so its guidance reflects its own products. The independent sites mostly repeat the brand instructions, and none gives lab test data. We have not tested any of these methods.
Step by Step: Machine Washing Allbirds
The shared method, with who says what:
- Remove the laces and insoles. Allbirds, Allbirds Australia, Durability Matters, We Tried It and Home Gear Geek all say so.
- Brush off loose dirt. Allbirds says to use a soft brush.
- Bag the shoes. Allbirds says a delicates bag or pillowcase. Allbirds Australia says a linen bag. Durability Matters adds light-colored towels as cushioning.
- Gentle cycle, cold water, small amount of mild detergent. Durability Matters says to avoid heavy-load cycles and harsh detergents.
- Skip softener and bleach. We Tried It says bleach turned its white Tree Skippers a pinkish color.
- Air dry. No sources allow the dryer.
Allbirds says to wash fitness shoes about once every 6 months or once every 200 miles, depending on mileage and how dirty they get. Allbirds Australia gives the same interval as once every 320 km.
Insoles, Laces and Soles
- Insoles: Allbirds Australia says hand wash for best results. Durability Matters soaks them about 15 minutes in mild soapy water, scrubs stains, rinses cold and hangs them to dry, and notes the merino wool top layer can shrink. We Tried It uses a little OxiClean on smelly insoles and says too much removes softness.
- Laces: Allbirds soaks them in warm soapy water when hand washing. Durability Matters swishes them in mild soapy water and lays them flat. We Tried It says laces are usually not washed. See our shoelace guide.
- Soles: We Tried It uses a Magic Eraser. See our shoe sole guide for rubber.
- Reassembly: We Tried It suggests photographing the laces before removing them.
Hand Washing and Spot Cleaning
Allbirds hand washes with warm soapy water and a scrub brush or toothbrush, soles first then uppers, and wipes off the suds with a wet cloth. Durability Matters soaks the shoes about 20 minutes in mild soapy water and rinses in cold. Home Gear Geek wrings a cloth out and gently scrubs, or soaks about 30 minutes, and recommends this for most models. Home Gear Geek adds not to wring or twist the shoes, and for merino wool to use a wool detergent and avoid agitating and hot water.
Spot cleaning. Home Gear Geek says to blot from the outside inward and not rub. For stains it uses Shout or OxiClean for 10 to 15 minutes, then brushes, or equal parts water and white vinegar for about an hour.
For other knit uppers see our knit shoe guide and washing machine guide.
Drying Allbirds
- Time: Allbirds Australia says at least 24 hours before reinserting insoles and laces. Durability Matters says up to two days, and to let them dry fully because trapped moisture can grow odor-causing bacteria. We Tried It says tree styles dry somewhat faster than wool.
- Position: Durability Matters lays them upright on a towel. We Tried It hangs them. Home Gear Geek stuffs them with paper towels or newspaper.
- No heat: Durability Matters says heat can cause wool to stretch or shrink. Home Gear Geek says hair dryers can shrink materials, misshape shoes or melt glue.
Odor
Allbirds does not give specific odor methods. Allbirds Australia says moisture can breed bacteria and mold, so regular cleaning and thorough drying are the main recommendations. Durability Matters sprinkles baking soda inside overnight, puts a dryer sheet in each shoe overnight, or wipes the interior with a cloth lightly dampened with rubbing alcohol or vinegar. These are one-site tips with no test data.
Where the Sources Disagree
Machine or hand. Allbirds says most models are machine washable. Home Gear Geek lists only some models and its FAQ says machine washing is not recommended. General advice: check the care label on your pair and hand wash if in doubt.
Hand wash water. Allbirds uses warm water. Durability Matters and Home Gear Geek use cold.
Drying time. We Tried It gives 12 to 24 hours and 1.5 to 2 days in different sections. Allbirds Australia says at least 24 hours. Durability Matters says up to two days.
Laces. Allbirds soaks them. We Tried It does not wash them.
Questions About Washing Allbirds, Answered
“Can you put Allbirds in the washing machine?”
Allbirds says most can, with a few unnamed exceptions. Home Gear Geek is more cautious.
“Can you put Allbirds in the dryer?”
No. Allbirds, Allbirds Australia, Durability Matters and We Tried It all say no.
“What detergent should I use?”
A small amount of mild detergent (Allbirds). Woolite Dark in the We Tried It test. A wool detergent for merino (Home Gear Geek).
“Can you use bleach on white Allbirds?”
No source recommends it. We Tried It saw pinkish discoloration on white Tree Skippers.
“How often should you wash Allbirds?”
Allbirds says about every 6 months or 200 miles for fitness shoes.
“How long do Allbirds take to dry?”
Anywhere from 12 hours to two days depending on the source.
“Will they shrink?”
Allbirds says shoes regain shape in one or two wears. Durability Matters says heat can shrink wool.
“Do washed Allbirds wear out faster?”
We Tried It washed 8 pairs and says repeated washing weakens the structure slightly and that tree styles held up better than wool. That is one site’s opinion.
Mistakes to Avoid
- The dryer and high heat. Allbirds, Durability Matters, Home Gear Geek.
- Bleach. Allbirds Australia says avoid at all costs.
- Fabric softener. Allbirds.
- Heavy-load cycles and harsh detergents. Durability Matters.
- Wringing or twisting. Home Gear Geek.
- Letting mud dry on the shoe. Allbirds Australia.
- Water on suede or leather models. Allbirds.
- Washing with other clothes. We Tried It.
How we checked this
- Steps come from Allbirds, Allbirds Australia, Durability Matters, We Tried It and Home Gear Geek. We name who says each thing.
- The sources differ on machine versus hand washing, drying time and laces, so we show each side. Our own reading is labelled general advice.
- Allbirds sells these shoes. None of the sources gives lab test data. We have not tested any of these methods.
Allbirds Washing Helpers
A mesh bag, a mild liquid detergent and a soft brush cover what Allbirds and the other sources describe. These are listed on Amazon.
Mesh shoe washing bags, 2 pack
A zip mesh bag sized for sneakers, in the spirit of the delicates bag Allbirds mentions.
Check it on Amazon
Jason Markk Essential Shoe Cleaning Kit
A soft brush and cleaner kit for hand washing.
Check it on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
Can you machine wash Allbirds?
Allbirds says most pairs can, with a few unnamed exceptions. Check your care label.
What cycle and temperature?
Gentle cycle, cold water, a small amount of mild detergent (Allbirds).
Can Allbirds go in the dryer?
No source allows it.
How long do they take to dry?
From 12 hours to two days depending on the source.
Can you use bleach?
No. Allbirds Australia says avoid it at all costs.
How often should you wash them?
About every 6 months or 200 miles for fitness shoes (Allbirds).
How do you wash the insoles?
Hand wash (Allbirds Australia, Durability Matters).
How do you get the smell out?
Thorough drying is the main fix. Durability Matters also suggests baking soda overnight.
The Short Version
Bag them, wash gentle and cold, keep heat and bleach away and give them time to air dry before you wear them.
