How to Dry Shoes in a Dryer: Quick & Efficient Ways

Sports shoes are meant to be worn on your feet, so many people are hesitant when they hear about drying sneakers in the clothes dryer. However, if done correctly, you can ensure that they are clean and dry conveniently and quickly.

Types of Sneakers That Can Be Dried in the Clothes Dryer

Even though clothes dryers can dry shoes effectively, not all types of shoes should be dried this way.

Before putting shoes in the dryer, you must sort them out carefully to avoid ruining them. You should also check the care label on the shoes to see if they are suitable for drying in the dryer. If so, then you can use this drying method. 

The following types of sneakers are suitable for drying in the clothes dryer: 

– Shoes made from synthetic fibers such as polyester or canvas, and cotton.

– Shoes with soles made from synthetic rubber or gel cushioning.

However, drying sneakers quickly in the clothes dryer is not suitable for shoes such as:

– Shoes made from thin fabrics, genuine leather, or suede, as well as sneakers that are specially designed for sports.

– Shoes with solid rubber soles, thick or heavy soles, and shoes made from special materials such as impact-resistant foam, gel, etc.

Drying sneakers in the clothes dryer will help you solve the problem of wet shoes quickly. (Photo: Freshcleanlaundromat)

How to Dry Sneakers in the Clothes Dryer

To dry your shoes in the clothes dryer quickly and effectively, you need to follow these steps:

Clean the Shoes

Before putting them in the dryer, you need to clean the shoes by wiping them down with a damp cloth to remove dirt. This will help the dryer work more efficiently. If the shoes are too dirty, you need to wash them with detergent or use a cleaning agent to remove the stains. You can clean the shoes under running water or put them in the washing machine. 

Remove the Laces and Put Paper Inside

After cleaning, remove the laces but do not take them all the way out, leave some laces in. Leave them out for about 20 minutes to let the shoes dry, then stuff paper inside the shoes to help absorb moisture and keep the shape of the shoes, especially in the heel and toe area.

Hang the Shoes in the Dryer

Place the shoes with the toes pointing up and the soles of the shoes against the dryer door. Leave the laces hanging out and close the dryer door tightly to prevent the laces from getting tangled inside.

If you want to put the shoes inside the dryer drum, use a towel to reduce shock and noise, and to avoid damaging the shoes.

Hanging the shoes properly will prevent the shoes from damaging the dryer when they hit it or from getting damaged themselves. (Photo: wikiHow)

Set the Drying Mode

Select the air-dry mode instead of the heat mode to avoid damaging the material of the shoes. Set the drying time to about 40 minutes to dry the shoes completely. 

After that time, check to see if the shoes are dry yet. If they are still damp, you can continue drying them for about 10 more minutes. Remember not to dry them for too long to avoid damaging the material, especially the sole.

Although drying sneakers in the clothes dryer is very effective and quick, you should not do it regularly. Each type of clothing has its own characteristics, so a clothes dryer is not the optimal device for drying shoes. In case of emergency, when you need your shoes dry right away to go out, then you can use this method.

Especially for shoes that are difficult to care for and expensive, you should go to a professional shoe care shop for proper cleaning.

Other Ways to Dry Shoes Quickly

In addition to drying sneakers quickly in the clothes dryer, you can also do the following to speed up the process: 

Drying Shoes with a Hair Dryer

Using a hair dryer to dry shoes is a simple and convenient solution, especially when you don’t have a clothes dryer. First, clean the shoes by washing or using a cleaning agent to remove any dirt, and let the shoes dry.

Set the hair dryer to low or medium heat, and dry the shoes from the inside by placing the dryer at the opening of the shoe and running it until the inside is dry. Then, dry the outside. This may take a while longer, but continue to dry the shoes from the top and bottom to make sure they dry evenly.

This method is suitable for thin fabric shoes with little padding. However, be careful with the temperature of the hair dryer to avoid damaging the material of the shoes.

Drying Shoes with Newspaper

To dry shoes without using a dryer, you can use newspaper. This is a simple, fast, and effective method for many types of shoes.

First, choose clean sheets of newspaper that do not have a lot of ink on them. Avoid using sheets with bold print or images, as they may transfer color to the shoes, especially for light-colored shoes.

Unfold the newspaper into small sheets and stuff them inside the shoes. Be sure to place the paper evenly and make sure that every part of the shoe is filled. When the paper inside the shoes starts to get damp, replace it with new paper to continue the moisture absorption process. This will help the shoes dry faster and prevent unpleasant odors.

If you can’t dry your sneakers quickly in the clothes dryer, you can use newspaper. (Photo: Pinterest)

To dry the shoes faster, place them in a well-ventilated and cool place. If possible, place the shoes near a window or a door that opens to the outside so that the wind can blow through the shoes. 

With this method, you can easily dry shoes without using a dryer, and it is especially suitable for many types of shoes, from fabric to suede.

Drying Shoes with Salt

Use regular table salt or fine salt available in your kitchen, make sure you have enough salt to use for both shoes. Roast a handful of salt in a pan over medium heat until the salt heats up (be careful not to burn or scorch the salt) and pour it into two small bags or two clean socks.

Tie the bags or socks tightly, place them in both shoes, and make sure the salt is evenly distributed and comes into contact with the entire inner surface of the shoes.

After about 1-2 hours, check the dryness of the shoes. If necessary, continue to place the salt bags in the shoes and continue this process until the shoes are completely dry.

Drying Shoes near the Air Conditioner

Drying shoes near the air conditioner is an effective way to dry shoes quickly, especially when you need to use them right away. 

– Place the shoes near the air conditioner unit to take advantage of the heat it generates. However, make sure the distance between the shoes and the air conditioner unit is not too close to avoid damaging the shoes.

– Monitor the temperature of the air conditioner unit to make sure it is not too high. 

– Rotate and change the position of the shoes regularly to help them dry evenly and more quickly.

– If the temperature feels too hot, adjust the distance between the shoes and the air conditioner unit to reduce the temperature.

This method is suitable for fabric or cotton shoes. Avoid using it for leather shoes, as the high temperature can damage or remove the natural shine of the leather.

According to VTC news