Washing your favorite pair of shoes is one of the basic requirements you’ll find in the company’s instructions. However, putting them in the dryer and calling it a day is not a good idea. For one, it will most certainly damage the material. If you leave canvas, light sneakers, or tennis shoes in the dryer, they might survive in a so-so state. However, shoes comprising leather and memory foam will end up ruined.
In This Post
How to Protect Your Shoes From Damage
The heat drying process can cause fiber damage to the material resulting in the shrinking of your shoes. Hence, you can turn them unusable with a single act of negligence. In other words, you shouldn’t carelessly proceed in that direction even if you’ve heard of someone pulling this off. Instead, take the time to uncover the craft of this shortcut.
Check the Label Tag
To save your shoes from potential dryer damage, you can first examine the model in question. Most shoe companies put tags with a list of dos, and dont’s on the shoes or the boxes. So, inspect those notes to learn whether it’s safe to use a dryer for your shoes. At the same time, consider contacting the official website.
Dry in Sunlight
You should dry your shoes in direct sunlight if you can not find any info on the tag or website. Aside from being the most common, this method is also effective for getting rid of pathogens.
Shoe Dryer
Investing in a professional shoe dryer is a must for people who constantly need clean shoes or run a business washing and drying shoes. A shoe dryer keeps your shoes fresh and also rejuvenates the upper material.
Fan
Drying under a fan is also an option when you need to dry your shoes without damaging the fabric. However, keep in mind that this route does take some extra time before you can wear the shoes again.
Dry With a Small Towel Shoved Inside
If the tag allows you to dry shoes in a dryer, then you can try this out. However, we recommend using a small towel inside the shoe cavity before placing the shoes. As a result, your shoes will not shrink in the process.
Rice or Newspaper
Another quick drying method includes using rice or newspaper for immediate results. Place your washed shoes in a rice bowl or wrap newspaper around them. If you need to further hasten the drying process, you can also shove some paper inside the shoes.
How to Get Rid of the Mildew Smell
You can use a simple home remedy if you do want to get rid of the mildew smell without washing your shoes. To do so, pour a cup of baking soda inside your shoes and leave them for one whole night.
How to Deal With Foot Fungus in Your Shoes
You can use solutions or professional sprays to eliminate foot fungus in the shoes. Vinegar, baking soda, or apple cider vinegar are common answers for this issue. However, if the situation is not improving, you can buy Lysol sprays from Amazon and apply them as per the instructions.
How to Get Mold Out of Your Shoes
You can get mold out of your shoes without outside help. First, you need to wash them with a bristle brush. You can use bleach and water mixture if your shoes feature white color. Then, use rubbing alcohol to gently remove the mold from the surface.
If you do not have alcohol at home, you can also use vinegar and water for this purpose.
How to Clean Gasoline From Your Shoes
The first thing you can do is put your shoes in the washing machine with plenty of detergents. If you still smell the pungent odor of gasoline, proceed to apply a mixture of water, vinegar, and baking soda. Leave this solution overnight.
How to Get Cat Pee Smell Out of Your Shoes
Try a home remedy if you can still smell some cat pee odor after taking your shoes out of the dryer. Add baking soda and water in equal proportions and put this mixture on your shoes for a day. Note that you might have to repeat this process several times in a row.
Conclusion
In general, avoid putting your shoes in the dryer as it can damage their quality and even shrink them. However, if you need your shoes washed and dried pronto, inspect whether the model is dryer-compatible.