Shoes are made of many different materials—mostly leather and rubber. Both of these materials are heat-sensitive, which means that they will shrink, melt, or become damaged if exposed to too much heat. This is why you should never put shoes in the dryer—unless you’re looking for a good way to ruin them.
If you have to put shoes in a dryer, put them in a pillowcase and set the machine to tumble. Don’t use heat; rely on the dryer’s tumbling motion to naturally air out your shoes. Always check for loose pieces or parts before drying, as these can cause problems when tumbling.
Should You Rely On Your Dryer To Dry Shoes?
Many people use a clothes dryer to get their shoes dry. They’re big, they can take a lot of heat, and they do a great job. But should you rely on your dryer to dry your shoes?
One of the first questions is whether you must dry your shoes at all. It might not be! If you have wet shoes that aren’t actively causing problems (like making water drip from them or giving you blisters), and if they’re not made of leather, there’s a good chance you can just let them air dry.
But if you need to get your shoes dry in a hurry, a good old-fashioned clothes dryer is probably your best bet. Just throw them in there on low heat for about 30 minutes. And don’t worry—the laces will survive; most modern dryers have what’s called a “hinged door,” which means the door won’t close unless the laces are inside the machine with the rest of the shoe.
Drying Shoes With Newspapers
Drying your shoes with newspaper can be an effective way to get them dry after a rainy day. All you will need is some old newspaper and a flat, protected surface.
- Start by taking the shoelaces out of the shoes. The newspaper won’t absorb moisture if it’s trapped inside the shoe, so it’s important to remove laces before you get started. If the laces are wet, hang them up to dry separately, or let them sit in the sun while you work on the shoes.
- Take a wad of old newspaper and stuff each shoe with it, packing the paper so that it fills up the entire inside of the shoe. Crumple up more newspaper and fill any space left in the shoe with it, making sure there are no gaps or spaces between any of the crumpled balls of paper inside.
- Leave your shoes somewhere warm for about 12 hours so that they can dry out thoroughly overnight. If it’s already nighttime when you start this process, leave them until morning so that they have plenty of time to dry properly. It may take longer than 12 hours if they’re extra wet when you start drying them out.
Drying Shoes With a Fan
If you have a pair of wet shoes, the best way to dry them is by using a fan.
- Stack up some books. If you have a fan, it’s likely that you also have books around your house. Stack up some books on top of each other.
- Place the shoes on top of the stack of books. The shoes should be in front of the fan—the closer to it, the better. A small fan can take a few hours to dry out wet shoes, but a large fan can dry out wet shoes in only half an hour or so.
- Let the fan blow on your shoes for at least 30 minutes or longer if they are still very wet after 30 minutes.
Is It Safe To Dry Shoes In The Oven?
Okay, so you just got back from that mud-running race you’ve been training for all year. You’re exhausted, but you’re also ready to slip on those fresh kicks that you bought exclusively for this race and show them off. But your shoes are soaked! You can’t wear them! So, can you dry your shoes in the oven?
No. Do not dry your shoes in the oven. It is dangerous to both the shoes and yourself, and it will ruin your shoes.
Why Shouldn’t You Dry Your Shoes In The Oven?
Shoes are not meant to be heated up like that. If they get too hot or catch fire, it’s a hazard to everyone around them. If you have any questions about what temperature is safe for a pair of shoes or how long they should be left in an oven contact manufacturer information on the label inside each pair of shoes (or on their website) to find out more.
Is It Safe To Dry Shoes With A Hair Dryer?
If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s safe to dry your shoes with a hairdryer, the answer is yes. While it’s not necessary to dry shoes at all, doing so can help prevent bad smells or even mildew. If you choose to do so, a hairdryer is a great option.
To use the hairdryer, simply set it on the lowest heat setting and aim it at your shoes until they feel dry. Please do not leave them unattended while they are being dried, however. In addition, make sure that the shoes you are drying are made of breathable materials like cotton and leather. Consider using a different method if you have synthetic or suede shoes that you’d like to dry.
Is It Safe To Dry Shoes With A Drying Rack?
The short answer is that if you’re using a drying rack rated for the weight of your shoes, then, yes, it is safe. If your drying rack has a weight limit, choose shoes that are light enough for the rack to handle safely.
As far as whether or not the airflow from the drying rack will damage your shoe structure? That depends on what kind of footwear you have. Most shoes are made so that they can withstand air-drying without damage. However, there are some exceptions. Leather shoes may dry out and become brittle if left to dry on a rack overnight. Some sneakers with foam cushioning may also not stand up to the force of airflow from a drying rack.
Do Dry Cleaners Accept Shoes?
If you have a special pair of shoes that need cleaning, the best way to find out if the dry cleaners will take them is to contact the shop directly. If they do not clean shoes or boots, they can probably tell you another shop in town that does. You can also search online for a shoe repair/cleaning service in your neighborhood.
What Is the Best Way to Air-Dry Your Shoes?
The best way to air dry your shoes is to fill them with crumpled newspaper and let them sit overnight. The newspaper will absorb the moisture in your shoes and help them dry faster. You can also use a fan or put your shoes on a radiator to speed the process up.
If you don’t have any newspaper handy, it’s still possible to air dry your shoes. Just make sure you stuff something in them to hold their shape as they dry, like old socks or paper towels.
You should also make sure that you take the laces out of your shoes so they can fully dry. Another option is to place your laces in a glass of water so that they can soak up some of their moisture and then hang them up to dry.
You may want to consider buying a dehumidifier for your home if you live in an area with high humidity levels so that you never have this problem!
Conclusion
Drying your shoes after a long day spent trekking through the rain can be a bit of a problem. On one hand, you want to get them dry as soon as possible, but on the other hand, you don’t want to ruin them by putting them in the dryer or letting them dry by an open flame.
So, what do you do?
Well, if you have a blow drier and it doesn’t make excessive noise when you use it, feel free to use that to dry your shoes out. Just make sure that you don’t let the shoes get too hot—that could damage them irreparably.
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