Can You Put Sneakers In The Dryer? Practical Tips [In 2024]

When you have a favorite pair of sneakers, it’s evident that you will wear them regularly, and, as a result, you have to clean and dry them properly to maintain their previous condition.

If you want to use a dryer, the main concern is to damage your pair of sneakers.

And no one wants that just after one wash.

There are other ways to clean your sneakers, but sometimes you don’t have any other option but the dryer.

I am here to your rescue if you are in a similar situation, so don’t you worry.

In this article, I will discuss the proper and most efficient way to dry your sneakers in a dryer and natural way.

So, keep reading till the end to know the details.

Can You Put Sneakers In The Dryer?

With the right technique and setting, you can put your sneakers in the dryer, but it can damage your pair if not carefully handled.

If you throw your heavy sneakers directly into the dryer, it can cause internal damage to your shoe. Not only that, drying an expensive pair can damage the fabric permanently.

So, to dry your favorite sneakers in the dryer, you need to be very careful.

Normally, in the dryer, the temperature remains very high and can damage the glue which holds the shoes together. Sometimes it shrinks the fabric of certain sneakers.

Brands like Nike, Adidas, Vans, Converse, Hoka One One, and New Balance have put instructions not to put their shoes in excessive heat.

It can also affect the fit of your footwear; if that happens, your favorite pair will be too small to wear again.

Follow our guide on how to Dry Boots In Dryer.

How To Dry Shoes In Dryer?

Most of the time, you don’t get enough time to wait to dry your sneakers in the sun or air dry them. But a few minutes in the dryer can solve your worries.

To dry your shoes in the dryer quickly and effectively, you need to follow a certain process.

Let’s see how you can dry sneakers in the dryer:

Checking The Shoe Label

Inside your sneaker, there is a care instruction. Before drying, do look for those. You will find them on the inner heel or tongue of your shoe. There you will find if you can machine dry them.

If it is a square with an X in it, don’t dry them in the dryer. And you can dry them in low heat if you see a circle inside the square.

Look Into The Material

You can dry your sneakers in the dryer, but before that, you need to inspect their materials.

If your shoe is made of cotton, canvas, nylon or polyester you don’t have to worry about it. But if the material is leather, suede, sequins or has any other embellishment it’s not a good idea to dry them in the dryer.

Tie A Knot On Both Shoelaces

To dry your shoes properly you need to keep your shoes side by side. And to do so, tie the laces of the sneakers together. This will prevent the extra movements of your shoes.

Hang Your Shoes On The Machine Door

Drape the shoes over the door by holding them and close the door so that your shoes are inside the dryer.

Position your sneakers, so the knot is outside the dryer. This prevents your shoes from falling into the dryer when it’s turned on. If you have a drying rack, put it inside the machine and place your shoes on them

Use Air Dry Setting

Change the machine setting to the air dry mode and if your machine doesn’t come with several options, just keep it to the lowest temperature.

Wait for 20 minutes and open the door very carefully. Check if your shoes are dry, if not, run the same cycle again.

Check out our separate post to know the main difference between Tennis Shoes Vs Sneakers.

5 Things to Consider While Putting Sneakers In The Dryer

Though it is not ideal to dry sneakers in the dryer, sometimes you don’t have any other option but to use them anyway.

I faced such a situation, it was snowing for days, and I didn’t have any other way. So I dried my shoes in the dryer keeping in mind some factors to minimize any visible damage.

Let’s see the 5 things to consider while drying shoes in the dryer:

It’s not like by maintaining these ways, your shoes will be exactly as you bought them, but this will minimize the amount of damage you might face.

How Do You Dry Sneakers Fast?

You are out running and come back with a soaked sneaker, the first thing you want to do is take out the sock liner. This liner can be washed by hand with some soap and water and set aside to dry.

This is the piece that collects bacteria and smells stinky real soon.

The next thing you need to do is stuff some newspaper into the shoe. If one is not enough, take two. Let it sit like that for a couple of hours, and check again.

The paper in there is going to absorb the excess water from the upper and inside of the shoe.

After a few hours, take a look. If it’s dry, you are good to go; if not, put a few more pages and wait until it’s completely dry.

Another tip to dry your sneakers fast is to use a fan. Dab a towel or paper to dry as much as you can and then place the fan directly on the shoe thus, it will help to dry up your sneaker.

Alternative Ways To Dry Your Sneakers

It’s not like you have only one option to dry your sneakers. There are other ways too. But the main drawback is these processes are time-consuming.

So, when you think of applying in any of these ways, ensure you have time on your hand.

Here are the alternative ways to dry your sneakers:

Air Dry

The best way to dry any sneakers is by letting them air dry. One thing is for sure it is a slow process and can take up to 12 hours to complete. The exact time depends on the room temperature and humidity.

So, make sure you are not planning to wear your shoes the next day.

For proper airflow, remove the sock lining, insole, laces and dry them separately. Also, make sure to put your sneakers in the shade to avoid any direct sun damage.

Dry In The Sun

Drying your shoes in the sun is a great option. But putting them directly in the sun can be damaging. To avoid that situation, keep your shoes in a shady place.

My mother says it’s so far the only option to dry your sneakers quickly and naturally.

Renowned brands like Adidas have specific directions regarding putting their sneakers in the sun, as direct sunlight can also damage the color and shrink.

So, you should check the instructions for your sneakers before drying them in the sun.

Can You Put Sneakers In The Washer?

Among the several ways of washing your sneaker, a washing machine is the quicker option as in most households, you will find one.

But the cleaning process of sneakers can’t be the same as clothes.

In my home, we clean our shoes in the washer when we don’t get enough sunlight and time to do it slowly. Throughout the years, I have learned certain ways and tips to clean my sneakers in the washer without damaging them.

The first thing that you should consider is the fabric, most sneakers are made of fabric, and these types of shoes are safe to wash in the washing machine.

If yours is suede or leather material, don’t even think of using a washer.

Another crucial step is to remove the laces and insole. The laces get tangled if not taken out. Put them in a separate bag before running the washer.

However, you must wash your insoles with lukewarm water and detergent.

Finally, before turning your washer on, throw 4 to 5 old towels in; this will keep the load balanced and prevent your shoes from banging around while the cycle is on.

Verdict

When you think of shiny and clean sneakers, their maintenance process, like washing and cleaning, plays the most vital role.

But, a sudden minute of your absent mind can permanently damage your shoes. And most times, you can not regain the harm. So, it is very crucial to have the proper knowledge and know alternative ways to proceed.

I hope this article was helpful and informative enough to provide you with all the necessary information about drying your sneakers in the dryer.

If you have ever tried this technique or know other helpful processes share them in the comment section below.