Wearing wet shoes can cause wrinkling and lead to a bacterial infection if worn for a long time. Having the shoes on without socks can cause your feet to blister. Some situations will get your shoes wet, like running in the rain, coming from the beach, or accidentally stepping into a puddle. Unless you have a Vessi pair of shoes with a knit technology that repels water while maintaining a breathable inside, your feet are bound to be soggy and squishy. Let us look at the different methods will help you go about how to dry shoes.

How to Dry Shoes

1. Using a Clothes Dryer

If done correctly, most shoes can safely go into the dryer without damaging the machine in the process. Very heavy, wet shoes could cost you the dryer if thrown directly inside. Shoes made with expensive material that is not meant to be air-dried could suffer damage too. If you have to use this drying method, use the following steps to ensure your shoes are safely dried.

a) Check the Labels In Your Shoe

Inside your shoes, some labels show information about the footwear. One of the signs is a square symbol which symbolizes a clothes dryer. If the square has a circle inside it, it is safe to put the shoes inside a dryer. If the circle has been crossed with an X-symbol, it is not safe to use a dryer. If the circle has a dot inside and not across, you can air-dry the shoes at low temperatures.

b) Check the Material of the Shoes

Not all types of shoes can be dried using an air dryer. Some shoes will get permanent damage if you dry them inside a dryer. Let us take a look at the type of shoes you can or can not dry in the drier.

i) Shoes You Can Put Inside a Dryer

• Cotton- Most clothes are made of cotton, meaning you need to know which way to dry shoes made of cotton in the dryer. Make sure you stuff each shoe to prevent shrinkage.
• Canvas- These shoes are made with similar material as tents and are okay and safe to dry using a dryer.
• Nylon/Polyester- As long as low heat is used when drying the shoes, you can put nylon or polyester inside a dryer.

ii) Shoes You Cannot Put Inside a Dryer

• Leather- Heat is not good for leather as it makes it warp as the material expands and contracts when heated. Some dyes can be damaged by heat. The shoes could end up having wrinkles and creases after drying.
• Suede- This material easily warps, stiffens, and cracks when dried at a freezing temperature or under heat. Air-dry the shoes under a shade.
• Gel or Foam- To enhance comfort, many shoe soles are made of gel or foam. The foam may come off easily when the shoes are exposed to heat.

c) Follow Drying Basics

Use the steps you would use on clothes before drying. Ensure the shoes are clean and excess water well-drained before putting them inside the dryer. You can wash the shoes by putting in old clothes or towels to prevent the shoes from tumbling around, potentially spoiling the dryer. Remove any lint from the filter, and feel free to use fabric softener s this will make your shoes smell nice.

d) Untie the Laces

Loosen the laces except at the last hole on the shoes. Tie the shoes together at the ends of the laces.

e) Hang the Shoes on the Dryer Door

Open the dryer door and let the ends of the laces be outside the door from the top. With the toes facing upwards and the soles facing outside, firmly shut the door.

f) Set the Dryer

After filling the dryer with towels and dishrags, set it to low or medium cycle for under 60 minutes. Your wet shoes will be dry in no time.

2. Using a Fan

Using a fan is one way to dry shoes. This method will work for almost all shoes, including leather or gel-soled shoes. Suede shoes can be dried using a fan, although a bit slower. These steps will guide you through how to dry shoes using a fan.

a) Sturdy Fan

Ensure the fan is stable and will not topple over during the drying process.

b) Open Space

Set up the fan in an open space in the garage or the utility room. Place a towel below the fan to catch any excess water from the wet shoes.

c) Remove the Insole

The shoe needs to be as open as possible for quicker drying.

d) The "S" Wire

Using a wire cutter, take an old hanger, cut two six-inch (15.2 cm) pieces of wire, and fold each into an "S" shape. The shape should have a smaller hook that will hook onto the fan and a larger hook to hold the shoes.

e) Hang the Footwear

With the shoes approximately nine inches apart, hang the shoes in front of the fan. Run the fan on high or medium for up to an hour or two. Ensure you loosen the lases to reduce the drying time.

3. Using a Newspaper

Newspapers are great for drying suede or leather shoes, or boots. Choose sheets of paper that do not have heavy ink, which could stain the shoes. Use the following steps:

a) Clean the Shoes

Ensure the shoes do not have dirt on them before you wrap them with paper and are thoroughly rinsed off. Use a towel to clean the shoes before setting them to dry. Shoes need to dry without streaks and stains on them.

b) Stuff the shoes

Using balled-up newspapers, stuff the toes of the shoes. Keep adding the balls of newspaper until the inside of the shoe is filled with paper.

c) Wrap the Shoes

Using flat newspaper pages, wrap the shoes and tie the papers using a string or a rubber band.

d) Set the Shoes/boots to dry

Place the footwear in a well-ventilated room and check after one or two hours. The newspaper will absorb the moisture increases the rate of drying.

4. Using Rice

Using rice is a very simple way to dry shoes. Fill a big plastic bin or box with rice and place the shoes on top of the rice. Ensure the insoles are removed. Tightly close the box and leave the rice to soak up the moisture. Using rice is the most efficient hack for drying sensitive shoes.

5. Using a Refrigerator

The great news is, you will not have to put the shoes or boots in the refrigerator, so worry not. Get your soaked shoes and remove the insoles. Place the shoes or sneakers facing the fan or vent of the fridge after removing all the dirt. As long as the fridge is running, the shoes will dry after a few hours. You can let the shoes sit overnight.

6. Air Drying

After washing your shoes or boots, you can place them in an open place without direct sunlight during the day or overnight. Avoid keeping shoes in extreme cold. Search for a spot that will be warm at night.