How to Wash Rothys Sneakers? (Step-by-Step)

Uncleaned shoes can ruin your whole outfit.

Not only that, it can start to stink if left uncleaned for too long.

If you’ve ever wondered how to clean your shoes, specifically your Rothys sneakers, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Here’s what this article covers.

What Are Rothys Shoes?

Rothy’s is a shoe company that sells shoes made from repurposed water bottles.

It was founded by Stephen Hawthornthwaite and Roth Martin in 2012 and has a factory located in Dongguan (China).

Their design headquarters is located in San Francisco and the manufacturing unit is in China. They manufacture both shoes and insoles in the same factory.

Are Rothy’s Really Washable?

Rothy’s footwear is primarily made of merino wool, algae-based foam, rubber, and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), thereby making them machine as well hand-washable.

According to the company, you can machine-wash your shoes on a cold, delicate cycle, and then let them air-dry.

With that said, hand washing is also possible and you may hand wash them if you want more control over the cleaning process.

Is Rothys easy to clean?

Rothys are super easy to wash and do not require any special prep work.

You simply need to remove the insole from the shoe, and then put them in the washing machine, on cold water, in a delicate setting, if you are machine washing them.

If you choose to hand wash, use a mild laundry detergent to gently clean the stains.

We will discuss the step-by-step process of washing the shoes in detail, more on that later in this article.

How often do you wash your Rothys?

If you wear your Rothys shoes regularly then it’s recommended to wash them at least once a week, OR as needed.

Personally, I like to spot clean them after each wear, and then do a deeper clean every two weeks.

his helps to keep them looking their best and helps them last longer.

Washing too frequently is not recommended as it can lead to fading and amplify wear and tear.

How to Wash Rothys Sneakers?

So, there are two approaches to washing your Rothys sneakers.

You can choose either one of these methods depending on your preferences.

If you want more control over the washing process, it’s best to go for hand washing.

Anyways, let’s take a detailed look at both methods.

How to wash Rothys by hand?

In order to wash your rothy’s by hand, you will need the following items handy.

  • Mild Detergent
  • Warm Water
  • Soft Cloth or Toothbrush
  • A tub of cold water

Once you have the above items handy follow the washing instructions below.

Step 1: Start by putting a small amount of mild detergent in a tub of cold water.

Step 2: Next, swish the water so that the detergent is dissolved in the water.

Step 3: Take out the Rothys insoles and soak them separately in the same bucket.

Step 4: Now, Put your shoes and Insoles in the tub, and allow them to soak for a few minutes.

Step 5: Then, gently rub the shoes using a toothbrush or soft cloth to remove dirt and stains.

Step 6: Finally, rinse the shoes thoroughly with clean water to remove any soap residue.

Step 7: Hang the shoes and insoles to dry, avoid putting them in the dryer as high heat in the dryer can cause the shoes to shrink and lose their shape.

Also Read: How to Wash Velvet Shoes? (Comprehensive Guide)

Can you put Rothys in the washing machine?

Yes, you can put Rothys in the washing machine. Be sure to use cold water and a mild detergent on the delicate cycle.

You may also want to air dry them to be safe.

Here are the ideal settings to wash them in a washing machine.

  • Wash Type: Gentle/Delicate
  • Soil Level: Normal
  • Spin Speed: Low
  • Water Temperature: Cold
  • Prewash: Not Recommended, instead Pre-treat the stains before washing

How to Machine Wash Rothys?

Rothys sneaker washing process diagram

Now that you know that it can be machine washed at the above-mentioned settings, Let’s take a quick look at the process.

Steps to Machine Wash Rothy’s Shoes.

Step 1: Read the Care Label

Before you start machine washing your shoes, it’s always a good idea to read the care label first.

The care label will have all the necessary instructions that you need to follow to machine wash your shoes without damaging them.

If the care label recommends machine washing, then follow the next step.

Step 2: Pre-treat The Stains

If there are any visible stains on your shoes, it’s best to pre-treat them before putting them in the washer. This will help to remove stains and clean the shoes more effectively.

In Order to pre-treat the stains, you can simply mix a small amount of detergent is a bowl of cold water and then pour that solution on the stained areas.

Next, gently work on the stained areas using a toothbrush.

Finally, Wipe the area with a microfiber cloth.

Step 3: Put Mild Suitable detergent in the washing machine

The Next step is to put a mild detergent in the washing machine.

Remember, choosing a good quality suitable detergent is equally important.

So choose the one that best suits your washer.

Step 4: Put your shoes in the washing machine

Now, put your shoes in the washer and set the washer to Cold Water, a delicate cycle along with Normal Soil levels and Low spin settings.

Optional: To avoid damaging your shoes in the washing machine, it’s best to put them in a mesh laundry bag. This will help to protect your shoes and will also prevent them

Step 5: Run the Wash Cycle

Next, run the wash cycle and allow your shoes to get cleaned.

Step 6: Check your shoes

Once the washing cycle is completed, take out your shoes and check if they need another wash.

If they do, then repeat the whole process again.

Step 7: Let them dry completely

After you are done washing hang your shoes and insoles for air drying.

It’s best to let them air dry as high heat in the dryer can cause the shoes to shrink.

TIP: If you are witnessing a clanging noise from your washing machine, you may simply put a towel along with the shoes. This will help to dampen the noise. But remember, not to overload the washer as it might not get as clean as you expect.

machine wash rothys

How to Wash Rothy’s Lace Ups?

To wash your Rothys lace-ups, follow these simple instructions:

Step 1: Remove the Shoe Lace

The first thing is to remove the shoe laces

Step 2: Dip the Lace in a bowl of detergent water

Next, dip the lace in a bowl of cold water and let it soak for a few minutes.

Step 3: Wash the Lace

Now, wash the lace gently, and do not scrub them with a hard brush.

Step 4: Rinse with Cold Water

Once you are done washing, simply rinse the lace with clean water.

Step 5: Let the Laces Dry

Simply air dry the laces naturally.

Also Read: How to Wash Allbirds Shoes? (Step-by-Step)

Do Rothys shrink when washed?

Rothy’s shoes are washable therefore washing them in cold water should not do any harm. So, Washing your rothy’s won’t cause them to shrink as long as you wash them in cold water.

Furthermore, washing them in hot water and drying them in the dryer on high heat settings may cause them to shink as they are primarily made from recycled plastic.

In fact, if you leave them out in the sun or in a hot car, the heat will cause them to shrink slightly.

So, to avoid this, simply air dry them after washing and leave them out to air dry in a cool, shady spot.

How to dry Rothy’s Shoes?

Once you have Machine Washed OR Hand Washed your Rothy’s shoes and Insoles, let them air dry at room temperature.

Never put Rothy’s in the dryer, as heat can damage the shape of the shoe.

If your shoes are taking too long to dry, stuff them with newspaper to speed up the process.

Note: Only use the newspaper once the shoes are semi-dry OR Damp.

How to get rid of the smell from Rothys Sneakers?

It’s always best to wash your shoes in order to get rid of the smell.

However, if you are looking forward to a hack or a fix for smelly shoes without washing them, you may follow the simple home remedy below.

In order, to get rid of bad odor from your rothy’s you will need the below items.

  • Baking Soda
  • Newspaper
  • Essential Oil (Optional)

Once you have the above ingredients ready, simply follow the below process to kill the odor.

Step 1: Sprinkle some Baking Soda Inside

The first step is to sprinkle some baking soda on the inside as well as the outside parts and let them sit overnight.

Step 2: Stuff the Newspaper

Next, stuff the shoes with newspaper.

You can even add a couple of drops of essential oil to the newspaper to get better results.

The Combination of Baking soda and stuffed newspaper with essential oil helps to absorb the pungent odor.

Step 3: Leave them overnight

The prep work is now completed, simply leave the shoes in this state overnight.

Step 4: Wipe with Wipes OR Distilled White Vinegar

The last step is to get rid of the baking soda powder, in order to do so, first pat the shoes so that the powder comes off easily.

And finally, wipe the shoes with either wipe OR prepare a homemade solution using distilled white vinegar and water and then use that solution to wipe the shoes using a cloth.

Also Read: How to Wash Hey Dudes Shoes? (Step-by-Step)

Can you wash Rothys with other items?

It’s recommended to wash your shoes either alone or with small items.

Washing them with other items might cause the shoes to get scratched or damaged.

So, It’s not recommended to wash rothys with other items.

If you still want to wash them with other items, use a mesh laundry bag.

Can you bleach white Rothys?

It’s not recommended to use Bleach or Fabric softeners as the washing instructions on the label clearly say “No to Bleach”.

With that said, you can still bleach them at your own risk to make your Rothys white again.

The washing instructions on the label recommend not to dry clean them and only wash in cold water followed by air drying.

Does Rothys have arch support?

Shoes made by Rothys are compact, as a result of this design, the shoes are not equipped with additional arch support.

Rothy’s shoes are designed to be comfortable and provide support for all-day wear without the need for additional arch support.

How Long do Rothy’s Last?

Rothy’s shoes are durable and they last anywhere between 1 to 3 years depending on how frequently you wear them.

You can expect them to last for quite a long time if you wear them less than 3 times weekly.

Remember, The shoes are made of recycled materials, this helps them to last for many years with proper care.

Best Practices to Keep your Shoes like New

Here are some quick tips and best practices to keep your shoes in good shape.

Always use Delicate Wash

It’s recommended to wash your sneakers in a gentle cycle.

Gentle wash uses a low spin cycle and less agitation which helps to protect your shoes from getting damaged.

Spot Clean the stains instantly

In order to prevent the mold, mildew dirt, and grime from building up on the fabric it’s best to spot clean the shoes as soon as it gets dirty.

Wash Insoles Separately

To get the best results it’s a wise thing to wash your shoes and insoles separately.

Your shoes and insoles will be cleaner if you take this approach.

Avoid hot or warm water

Washing your shoes in hot or warm water will cause the fabric to shrink.

It’s best to use cold water as it doesn’t damage the fabric.

Always Schedule your Wash

It can take up to 8 hours for a pair of rothys to dry, therefore it’s important to plan and schedule the wash based on your needs and convenience.

Don’t forget to check the care labels

Beneath the insoles of your shoes, you’ll find a care label that has all the instructions on how to wash and take care of your shoes.

In a lot of cases, most of the doubts are cleared just by looking at the care labels, so do not ignore them.

Use Towel

In order to avoid a clanging sound while washing your shoes, you may use a towel.

Putting a towel inside the washer along with the shoes helps to avoid the shoes from being tossed around inside the washing machine.

Air Dry the Shoes

It’s always a safe bet to allow the pair of rothys to air dry naturally.

This helps to keep them in good condition for longer periods.

Use Shoe Trees

Shoe trees can be a great way to keep your sneakers or shoes in a wrinkle-free state.

Once the shoes are dry, simply put the shoe trees inside them.

Final Thoughts

Regular washing of your Rothys shoes is important to keep them looking new and to increase their lifespan.

With that said, you should try to balance the washing frequency, as washing them too often can damage the material.

Lastly, avoid washing your shoes in warm or hot water, instead wash your rothys with cold water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions related to Rothy’s that may be helpful.

Does Rothys have a guarantee?

Rothy’s official site explicitly mentions that the shoes will only be replaced if the shoe bag received has a manufacturing defect. They do not and will not replace the product that gets damaged due to normal wear and tear.

Is Rothy’s worth it?

They are comfortable, stylish, and durable. The best part about this pair of shoes is that they are machine washable. So, Yes they are definitely worth it.

Do Rothy’s Make Your Feet Sweat?

Since Rothy’s are made of recycled plastic materials, they are prone to make your feet sweat. Therefore, if you frequently have sweaty or odorous feet, Rothy’s might become unpleasant.

How To Prevent Your Feet From Sweating In Rothy’s?

In order to avoid making your feet sweat in Rothy’s, we would recommend you choose the right size. A tight shoe can make your feet sweaty. Secondly, wear socks made of moisture-wicking material. This will help in keeping your feet dry and comfortable. Additionally, you may also use Foot Powder to Keep your Feet Dry. Lastly, don’t forget to air out your shoes after wearing them for a while.

Why Are Rothy’s So Expensive?

Rothy’s are priced a little bit on the higher side but it’s worth it. The shoes are made of high-quality materials. In addition, the shoes are extremely comfortable and last for many years.

Are Rothys made in China?

Yes, Rothys are manufactured in China. Their design and development team is based in San Francisco, but the shoes are made in China. This is not unusual for Shoes or Clothing companies as it’s cheaper to manufacture products in China.

Can I return Rothys Shoes after Wearing them?

Yes, you can return Rothys after wearing them. However, they do not accept returns for items that have been used or damaged.

Hemant Sarkar is a seasoned techie with a diploma in computer science and an impressive track record of over 15 years in dealing with speakers, kitchen appliances, and various home appliance-related issues. He is widely recognized for his exceptional expertise in repairing dryers and washing machines from all major brands. In addition to his appliance repair prowess, Hemant maintains engaging blogs on topics related to music and speakers. For any inquiries or assistance regarding appliances or tech-related matters, you can reach out to him at: hemant (at) theportablelaundry.com.