Wet shoes can make your feet susceptible to mold as well as feel uncomfortable to wear. Luckily, there are some easy ways to dry your shoes in just a few hours. A fan or a tumble dryer can help your shoes ventilate and dry the fastest, but the heat can also damage your shoes. If you can wait a little longer, wrapping in newspaper or putting your shoes in rice can also absorb the moisture. Once the shoes are dry again, you can wear them again!
Step
Method 1 of 4: Wrapping Shoes in Newspaper
Step 1. Remove the insole of the shoe and set it aside to dry
The insole is the cushion inside the shoe. Take this insole and then remove it from the shoe so it can dry faster. Place the insole of the shoe near a window that is exposed to the sun to prevent it from smelling and moldy.
- If your shoes don't have insoles or they can't be removed, skip this step. Unfortunately, your shoes may take longer to dry.
- You can use newspaper to dry any type of shoe.
Step 2. Squeeze the newspaper into a lump then insert it into the inside of the shoe
Squeeze the newspaper into a ball with your hands so that it can be inserted into the inside of the shoe. Push the clump of newspaper into the shoe as far as it will go. Continue to add new lumps of newspaper until the shoe is full. The newspaper will absorb the moisture and help dry the shoes.
You can use old newspapers that are still at home or buy new newspapers at the supermarket
Step 3. Wrap the outside of the shoe with newspaper
Prepare 2-3 sheets of newspaper and place one of the shoes on it. Wrap the shoe in newspaper as tightly as possible to allow the paper to absorb the liquid. Keep the newspaper bundles together by tying 2-3 rubber bands so they don't open easily. Wrap the other shoe in the same way.
Avoid newspaper sheets that are covered in dark ink
Tip:
If you're afraid that newspaper ink will stain or leave marks on your shoes, you can also buy blank paper from an online or stationery store.
Step 4. Replace the newspaper sheets with new ones every 2-3 hours to absorb most of the liquid
Over time, the sheets of newspaper inside and outside the shoe will absorb the moisture and begin to get wet. After 2-3 hours, check the shoes and wrapping newspaper to see if they are still dry. If the newspaper feels wet to the touch, you should remove it and replace it with a new sheet that is still dry. Continue changing sheets of newspaper until your shoes are dry.
Your shoes may take several hours to dry. However, if your shoes are really wet, you may have to leave them overnight
Method 2 of 4: Hanging Shoes on a Fan
Step 1. Cut 2 pieces of clothes hanger wire, each 15 cm long
Straighten the hanger wire with pliers, and measure 15 cm long. Place the clothes hanger wire on the wire cutting pliers and then cut it. After the first part is cut, measure the second part and then cut.
- If you don't have hanger wire, you can use any length of thin wire.
- You can dry any shoe with a fan.
- Be careful using pieces of wire as the ends may be sharp.
Step 2. Bend the piece of wire into an S shape
Pinch the center of the piece of wire with pliers, then bend it forward to form a long hook. After that, hold the end still straight and bend it backwards against the direction of the first hook. When you're done, make a hook with another piece of wire.
You may be able to bend the wire by hand if you don't have pliers
Step 3. Hang the wire hooks in front of the fan case
Turn off the fan while you attach the latch to prevent it from colliding with the fan blades. Insert the smaller hooks through the bars at the top of the fan. Leave 8-10 cm between the hooks so your shoes can hang there.
Make sure the wire you are hanging does not touch or collide with the fan blades as this could damage them
Step 4. Attach the shoe to the wire hook so that the inside is pointing towards the fan
You can use a fan to dry any shoe. However, heavy shoes like boots may fall off easily. Attach the shoe to the wire hooks so that the sole is facing the fan blades and the air exhaled by the fan can enter the shoe. Make sure the shoes don't fall off when you take them off. Bend the wire hook again with the pliers if your shoe is still slipping.
Make sure the shoelaces don't hang inside the fan, as this could twist and damage the blades
Step 5. Run the fan on high speed until your shoes are dry
Choose the highest speed so the fan can blow air into the shoes and dry them. Even if the shoe is still hanging on the fan, it's a good idea to check its progress every 20-30 minutes. Shoes may take 1 hour or more to dry completely. So, be patient and put on some other shoes for a while.
Place the fan near a sunny window to help speed up the drying of the shoes
Tip:
Place a towel under the fan to catch any liquid dripping from the shoes.
Method 3 of 4: Using a Dryer
Step 1. Check the labels on the shoes, making sure they are machine dry
Certain materials, such as leather or gel-core pads, can be damaged by the heat of the dryer. So, check the label on the back of the shoe or on the box to make sure the shoe is machine dry. If you can't get your shoes in the dryer, try another method.
- If in doubt, assume that your shoes are not machine-dried safe to avoid damaging them.
- Do not use a tumble dryer if you have running shoes or if your shoes are made of leather, as they will deteriorate when exposed to heat.
Step 2. Loosen the shoelaces 15 cm long
Extend the shoelaces 15 cm. Be sure not to tie the laces over the tongue of the shoe as this will prevent the inside from drying out.
Do not use this method to dry shoes without laces, as this could damage your shoes or the dryer
Step 3. Tie the shoes together by tying the laces
Hold the laces of one shoe with one hand and use the other to grip the laces of the other. Tie the laces of the two shoes together so that the shoes do not separate. Be sure not to tie the laces too tightly so they can be removed once dry.
You don't have to tie your shoes together. However, this can prevent the shoe from slipping and prevent the laces from entangling in the machine
Step 4. Place the shoes close to the inside of the dryer door
Hold the shoelaces so that the tips of the toes are facing downwards. Open the dryer door and point the sole of the shoe inward. Keep the shoelaces straight. Be sure to leave 2-5cm of laces above the dryer door, otherwise the shoes will slip and fall in.
This method is best used in front door dryers. However, you can also use this method on a top door dryer
Step 5. Close the dryer door so that the end of the shoelace sticks out above it
Close the machine door slowly, making sure the shoe is in the middle of the door. After the machine door is closed tightly, the shoes will not rotate with the machine so they will not be damaged.
You can also purchase a shoe rack to attach to the dryer if you don't want to just hang it on the door
Step 6. Run the dryer on a low temperature to avoid damaging the shoes
Choose the lowest temperature to minimize damage to the shoes. Leave the dryer on for a full cycle before checking the shoes. If your shoes still feel wet, start the drying cycle again for another 20-30 minutes until the inside and outside are dry.
- Never use high temperatures when drying shoes, as this can cause the glue or rubber to loosen and the shoes to deteriorate more quickly.
- The heat from the dryer can reduce shoe odor.
Warning:
do not dry clothes with shoes as it will make your clothes smell.
Method 4 of 4: Putting Shoes in Rice
Step 1. Fill a large plastic container with rice 2 cm high
Use a container that is large enough to hold your shoes and can be tightly closed. Pour white or brown rice into the bottom of the container to a height of 2 cm so that it can absorb moisture from the shoes.
- If you must dry several pairs of shoes at once, use a large plastic bag and fill the bottom with rice.
- You can dry any shoe by putting it in rice.
Step 2. Place the shoes sideways on the rice
Place the shoes sideways or upside down on the rice. Press the shoe into the rice until it is slightly submerged to help the rice absorb more of the liquid. Leave 2-5 cm between the shoes to help dry them.
Step 3. Put the lid on the container and leave it for 2-3 hours
Put the lid on the container, and make sure the container is tightly closed. Leave the shoes for 2-3 hours while the rice absorbs the moisture. After a few hours, open the lid of the container and check that the shoes are dry. If your shoes are still wet, put them back in the rice and wait another hour before checking.
If your shoes get soaked, you may have to leave them in the rice overnight
Tips
- Be sure to wash or scrape off any mud or dirt on the shoes before drying, otherwise they will leave stains.
- If you have more time, simply place your shoes in direct sunlight so they can dry naturally.
Warning
- Do not use a hairdryer to dry your shoes as this will take a long time and can start a fire if not supervised.
- Read the label on the shoe to check if it's machine-safe before trying to do so. Shoes that are made of leather or have gel padding cannot be machine dried because they can be damaged.
- Do not put the shoes in the microwave or oven as this can damage the material.
