DIY

How to Dry Shoes Quickly – Tips and Tricks

how to let your shoes dry

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As the season turns wet, chances are your shoes may be getting soaked more often. Walking in wet footwear isn’t a comfortable feeling. Beyond each squishy step, wet shoes can also result in a nasty smell and even blisters. But soggy shoes are difficult to avoid sometimes. Footwear can get wet anywhere. That’s why it’s worth knowing how to dry your boots and shoes quickly. So, what’s the secret to drying wet shoes?

First things first: You’ll want to avoid damage to your footwear when drying your shoes. That’s why it’s generally not recommended to dry shoes in a machine dryer. This runs the risk of potentially shrinking the footwear and damaging the glue that holds the shoes together. There are better ways to dry your shoes and boots.

1. Use newspaper to dry shoes

Chances are you’ve seen this done before. Using newspaper to dry wet shoes is a tried-and-tested method and though it’s not the fastest, it is one of the easiest. You’ll want to dry them overnight in this way. Here’s what you need to do:

  • Gather old newspapers and rip them into smaller chunks.
  • Scrunch or ball up the newspaper pieces.
  • Remove the insoles from your shoes.
  • Stuff the balled-up newspaper into the shoes.
  • Then find a dry place to keep your shoes overnight.
  • If your shoes are very wet, you may want to replace the newspaper after a few hours.
  • Additionally, you can place them near a radiator to speed up the drying process.

You can use the newspaper method for most types of shoes.

2. Dry shoes using a fan

If you’re looking to dry your wet shoes quickly, a fan will be the better option.

  • Put the wet shoes on a sheet of newspaper or a towel to absorb excess water.
  • If you have a small fan that can be placed on the floor, you can put your shoes in front of the fan and turn it on.
  • Alternatively, you can bend a conventional clothes hanger into an S shape and hook the shoes on them.
  • Make sure the shoes aren’t laced up before you place them in front of the fan or air won’t reach some of the wet spots.

You can dry other items of clothing such as pants this way, too. 

3. Get a shoe dryer

Shopping for a shoe dryer is totally worth it when you have to deal with wet shoes very often. They’re handy appliances that are easy to use and don’t cost a bundle. Here’s how to use them:

  • Remove the shoelaces and insoles.
  • Place the shoes upside down on the dryer.
  • Then switch on the dryer and leave it to work its magic.

Dryers are also a great way to remove bad odors from your boots and shoes.

4. Use uncooked rice to dry shoes and eliminate odor

When you’ve got more rice than you can eat, here’s one way to repurpose it: Dry your shoes with rice.

  • Find an empty cardboard box or storage box with a lid.
  • Fill it with uncooked rice,but leave enough space on top for your shoes.
  • Put your shoes on top of the rice and close the lid.
  • Depending on how wet your shoes are, it should only take a few hours for the rice to soak up the water.

5. Dry shoes using the fridge

You read that correctly! Canvas and cloth shoes can be dried using your fridge. But you won’t need to place them inside the fridge. Instead, you’ll want to place them in front of the appliance’s vent. The air will speed up the drying process.

  • Remove the insoles from your wet shoes.
  • Put them in front of the fridge vent with the opening of the shoe turned toward the vent.
  • Leave them to dry there overnight.

Looking for more tips for your kicks? Find out the best ways to wash your shoes from Ask Team Clean.