“How to dry sneakers in a dryer” is a handy little skill everyone needs. Right after you wash your sneakers, the uppers are dripping wet and your heart pounds: “I still have to wear them for a run/work today—what do I do?” Don’t panic. Try these tricks to easily tackle damp shoes with your dryer.
1. Why use a dryer?
- Speed: Air-drying can take a full day; a dryer only needs 20–40 minutes.
- Emergency fix: If you’re rushing out in the morning and spot wet shoes, just hit Start and they’ll be dry before you head out.
- No extra space needed: On rainy or cloudy days with no sunlight, natural drying is too slow. A dryer works anytime.
That said, dryers can be tough on shoes—wrong settings might cause warping or glue separation. So always follow the steps below.
2. Prep work: set your dryer session up for success
Before tossing your sneakers into the dryer, do this:
- Remove insoles and laces
- Insoles hold a lot of water—dry them separately so they don’t trap moisture inside the shoe.
- Laces can tangle; give them a gentle twist in a delicate spin, then pop them into a laundry bag with small items like socks.
- Brush off mud and dirt
- Use an old toothbrush or dry cloth to knock off large clumps. You don’t want hard, baked-on mud inside your dryer.
- Stuff with dry towels
- Push a small towel or clean sock into the toe and heel of each shoe. This soaks up moisture and helps preserve the shoe’s shape, reducing creases during drying.
3. Dryer settings: temperature, speed, and time
- Pick a low or delicate heat setting
High heat can melt the sole glue or crack synthetic uppers. If your machine has a “sneakers” or “athletic shoes” cycle, even better; if not, stick with Low/Delicate. - Use a standard spin speed
Avoid “high” or “fast” modes—standard is gentler on the shoes and more energy-efficient. - Set the timer for 30–40 minutes
- Most sneakers dry fully in 30 minutes on low heat.
- If they’re only slightly damp, 20 minutes may do; if soaking wet, add another 10 minutes.
For best results, pause halfway through (around 15–20 minutes) to check moisture, rearrange towels if needed, and then resume or end the cycle when they’re almost dry.
4. Dryer-time hacks
- Toss in silica gel packs: Those little desiccant packs (silica packets) you buy can boost moisture absorption—drop one or two into the drum.
- Add tennis balls or dryer balls: A few clean tennis balls or specialized dryer balls will bounce around, helping separate the shoes and circulate hot air evenly.
- Check midway: Around the 15–20 minute mark, open the door and inspect. If they’re still very wet, rearrange or swap in drier towels; if nearly dry, wrap up the cycle.
5. Final touch: air it out
Dryers can stir up a bit of lint or dust. Once the cycle ends, leave your shoes in a well‑ventilated spot for 10–15 minutes. This also helps dissipate any lingering odors.
6. FAQ
Q1: Can all sneakers go in the dryer?
A: Synthetic or mesh uppers are fine. Pure leather or suede-trimmed shoes should air‑dry to avoid cracking under heat.
Q2: Will they warp?
A: If you stuff them with towels and use low heat and speed, the risk is minimal. Once the cycle’s done, immediately remove the towels and reshape the shoes.
Q3: What about post‑dry odor?
A: While they’re airing out, sprinkle a pinch of baking soda inside and let it sit overnight, then shake it out. Or use a shoe‑freshening spray as directed.
7. Quick recap
- Prep: Remove insoles & laces; brush off dirt; stuff with dry towels.
- Dryer settings: Low heat, standard spin, 30–40 minutes.
- Hacks: Add silica packs, tennis balls/dryer balls, check halfway.
- Finish: Air‑out 10–15 minutes; deodorize if needed.
See? It’s that simple. Next time your sneakers are soaking wet, follow these steps and you’ll have dry, comfy shoes ready in no time. Give it a try!