Wet shoes can exacerbate foot odor and skin irritation, and they can also reduce the lifespan of your shoes. But don’t worry, where there’s a problem, there’s usually a solution.
Just as there are ways to deal with moldy shoes, there are also quick-drying methods that you can explore. Let’s take a look!
1 Newspaper
Grab a few sheets of newspaper, avoiding the glossy pages as they may transfer ink to your shoes. Also, steer clear of pages with large black and white images, as the ink may rub off onto your shoes.
Crumple the newspaper and stuff it inside your shoes, ensuring they are well-filled. Place the shoes in a well-ventilated area, and after 20 minutes, replace the newspaper with a fresh batch. The newspaper will help absorb moisture and humidity from the inside of your shoes.
2 Hair Dryer
If your shoes are made of cotton or canvas with a straw sole, and they don’t contain any leather, plastic, or other heat-sensitive materials, you can confidently use a hairdryer and towel without worrying about damaging your shoes.
Start by using the towel to absorb excess water from the shoes, and then use the hairdryer to blow-dry them.
3 Salt or Rice
Heat up some salt in a pan, and then pour it into a sock before placing it inside your shoe. The warm salt will effectively absorb moisture. Repeat this process until your shoes are completely dry.
Alternatively, place your shoes in an airtight container and pour rice inside. Rice is also a great moisture absorber, but it may take longer for your shoes to dry completely.
4 Electric Fan
This method can be applied to various types of shoes, including leather, canvas, and suede. However, suede shoes may take longer to dry.
First, place a dry towel in front of the fan to absorb moisture from the shoes during the drying process. Remove the insoles and dry them separately; if they’re not made of leather, you can use a hairdryer to speed up the process.
Next, use a small piece of wire or a coat hanger and cut a segment about 15-20 cm long. Bend it into an S shape, with one end hooked to the fan and the other end hooked to the shoe.
Then, remove the shoelaces (if any) and position the shoes so that the airflow can reach inside as much as possible. Start the fan at a moderate speed and gradually increase it. Depending on the humidity, this process should take around 1-2 hours.
Some important notes when drying shoes
– If your shoes are dirty due to mud, sludge, or dirt, clean them first before drying. It’s more challenging to deal with dried-on dirt.
– Never sun-dry your shoes, especially leather ones, as the sun will cause the leather to harden and shrink, resulting in tight-fitting shoes and cracked or broken leather.
– If your leather shoes are still damp or wet, refrain from polishing them. Instead, dry them thoroughly.
We hope that through this article, you’ve gained some useful tips to dry your shoes quickly. Remember, regardless of how dirty or wet your shoes are, always clean them first before attempting to dry them.