It’s best to avoid putting shoes in the dryer because of how complicated they are these days. Specific components used to make those shoes may suffer damage from the heat of the dryer, shrinking, bleeding, melting, or distorting them.
Can I put shoes in the dryer? In addition to the damage caused to the appliance itself by the tossed shoes, the dryer’s tumbling effects can also cause delicate pieces and embellishments like sequins to break off, decreasing the overall aesthetics.
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Things About How To Dry Shoes In The Dryer
- You definitely need a good quality dryer from a well-known brand.
- You need warm water and a mild cleaner to clean your dirty shoes.
- You can even wash your dirty shoes with a washing machine.
- You’ll also need some large and small towels while following the steps on how to dry your shoes in the dryer.
- You need a rag to fill your shoes and dry them at the same time.
Why Not Rely On Your Dryer?
Not only can your shoes be damaged when they roll around the dryer, but the heat can also cause your shoes to shrink. Because a perfect fit can make the difference between a supportive run and a painful one, you don’t want to risk changing the shape or fit of your shoe.
The heat can also damage the glue used to make sneakers, which can deform your shoes or cause them to come apart. Since a good pair of sneakers is not cheap, you should use other drying methods to maintain your shoes.
However, if you’re in a hurry and decide to try this method, be sure to dry your shoes on a low temperature. You should also hang your shoes from the dryer door or tie your LACES together and place them in a mesh bag before drying.
The Right Way To Put Shoes In The Dryer
Check The Manufacturer’s Recommendations
Most shoes have labels inside the shoe that tell you the details of how to take care of the shoe. It’s usually the same label, where you can find information about the size and material, as well as where the shoe was made. These cleaning instructions are a good place to start with best practices to take care of your shoes.
These labels are usually small and do not provide a complete explanation other than symbols explaining whether you can bleach or wash your shoes and how to dry them. If you are not familiar with these notations, you can see a comprehensive guide here.
Keep in mind that some manufacturers will not provide this information at all. In this case, the safest thing to do is wash your hands and let your shoes air dry.
Here is a breakdown of what kind of material you can throw in a dryer.
The Reaction Of Different Materials To The Drying Process
Rayon
Rayon is a semi-synthetic fiber made from wood pulp. What you end up with is pure cellulose fiber, which is great at absorbing water and maintaining air permeability. That’s why you’ll usually find rayon as a material for running and sneakers.
However, it is important to remember that it can easily discolor, stretch or contract at high temperatures. While rayon won’t melt, your sneakers may scorch, making them unusable.
For rayon shoes, you’re better off skipping the washer and dryer.
Nylon & Polyester
Most running shoes and athletic shoes are made of nylon or polyester because the material is so elastic. It is often not the main component of the shoe, mainly to improve the proportion of certain aspects of the shoe performance.
When drying shoes made of these materials, a low heat setting is crucial so the shoes don’t get damaged. Machine drying polyester requires the minimum temperature to prevent shrinkage.
Another good tip is to follow the typical rules for handling nylon/polyester clothing.
Foam
While foam and gel are commonly used to build the insides of shoes, this still needs to be considered when choosing how to clean them. For example, soles made of foam are not always removable.
Throwing your sneakers in the washing machine may damage the glue inside and loosen the insoles, causing them to unravel. In addition, being thrown in a dryer increases the rate at which parts lose their integrity. Even the lowest heat setting can cause the material to lose its mass.
Similarly, gels melt and warp easily when exposed to heat. Eventually, shoes become stiffer and easily crack when you put them on. Therefore, air drying is the best way to treat wet shoes soaked with gel or foam soles.
Decorative Shoes
Leaving intricate shoes in the dryer can cause embellishments to come off. After all, machine drying means they tumble around, allowing delicate items to separate from the shoes in the dryer. Therefore, it is best to air-dry shoes with complex and fragile designs.
Canvas
Canvas shoes are popular because they are light and durable. The good news is that since it’s the same material used to make things like tents, it handles the heat of the dryer well. This means you can put your espadrilles in the dryer without worrying about damaging them.
That said, be sure to consider the shoe’s other materials, such as rubber or plastic soles and metal lace rings.
Finally, the risk of sneaker shrinkage or warping is fairly low. So most of the moderate Settings on the dryer will work just fine.
Leather
Leather shoes, or other things made of animal material, do not age when exposed to heat. Although it may take a while before you finally see the obvious wrinkles and creases. As the shape of leather shoes becomes more and more different from the previous shape, leather shoes will become unwearable.
In addition, leather running shoes and tennis shoes change color when exposed to high temperatures. When it comes to leather goods, hand washing and air drying are generally the best way to go.
Turning Fur
The air drying route is the ideal choice for leather shoes because the material is very fragile. First, temperatures that are too cold or too hot can affect your dress shoes.
The super-cold temperatures will harden the furs and large pieces of furs will fall off. On the other hand, high temperatures can cause cracking and warping. That’s why shine your shoes in the shade away from direct sunlight to avoid damaging them.
Cotton
Some shoemakers are focusing on making vegan products and offering organic cotton as an option. While these shoes are safe to put in the dryer, they may shrink. To prevent this from happening, stuff cotton shoes with small towels to keep them from shrinking as they dry.
Consider The Most Favorable Factors For Dryer
Proper setup is essential to prevent damage to shoes.
Putting shoes in the dryer does not mean forgetting best practices for using the machine. Getting this part wrong could ruin your favorite shoes.
First, always make sure your shoes are clean before throwing them in the dryer. This simple guide should help you.
Ideally, remove excess water before placing your shoes in the dryer to ensure they don’t drip wet. Secondly, check the lint filter and clean it so that the machine can work properly. Finally, make sure to use low heat and follow the instructions on the label.
Don’t Leave Shoes In The Dryer
Allowing shoes to bounce inside the dryer can damage the shoes and the machine. Instead, throw big towels in to keep them from littering.
Another option is to use LACES to hang the shoes from the dryer door. Tie them together and then go through the dryer door. Make sure your shoes are not properly laced, as this can cause problems when the shoes dry. Unlock it first, then use only one hole in each shoe.
After closing the door, let the LACES hang from the dryer. Make sure the shoe does not touch the side, but hangs freely from inside the door. This hanging method is better than drying shoes in the dryer with a towel because it works faster.
Choose the right Settings
Set your machine to air dry Settings to ensure that high heat is not used. If only the lowest temperature setting is available, you can use the lowest temperature setting.
Make sure to check your progress regularly by pausing the cycle and feeling if the inside of your shoes is dry. If you think the five-minute interval is coming to an end, you can add another five-minute interval.
Conclusion
It’s best to avoid putting shoes in the dryer because of how complicated they are these days. Specific components used to make those shoes may suffer damage from the heat of the dryer, shrinking, bleeding, melting, or distorting.
In addition to the damage caused to the appliance itself by the tossed shoes, the dryer’s tumbling effects can also cause delicate pieces and embellishments like sequins to break off, decreasing the overall aesthetics.
