How to Dry Wet Shoes Quickly Without Damaging Them

Wet shoes are not only uncomfortable but can also lead to odor, bacterial growth, and even permanent damage to the material if not dried properly.

That’s all?

No. The most important one is,

Whether you’ve been caught in the rain, stepped in puddles, or your shoes got soaked during a workout, knowing how to clean your shoes without damaging them or dry wet shoes quickly can save both time and money.

In this guide, we’ll explore proven methods to dry sneakers, leather shoes, and other types of footwear quickly—without compromising their shape, texture, or longevity. So, how exactly do you dry wet shoes quickly? Let’s dive in.

Why You Should Dry Shoes the Right Way

Drying your shoes the wrong way—like placing them under direct sunlight or using high heat—may seem convenient, but can ruin the material.

Heat causes glue to weaken, fabric to shrink, and leather to crack. Moisture left in the shoes can create a breeding ground for bacteria and mold, leading to foul odors and hygiene issues. By learning the right drying methods, you’ll not only preserve the structure and look of your shoes but also make them last longer.

How to Dry Wet Shoes Quickly Without a Dryer

Drying shoes without a dryer is one of the safest methods to protect the shoe’s material and shape.

While dryers are quick, they often expose shoes to heat and rough tumbling, which can damage adhesives, shrink fabrics, and warp soles. Using non-heat methods ensures your footwear stays in good condition while still drying in a reasonable time. Here’s a detailed guide on what to do, why it matters, and how to do it effectively:

1. Remove Laces and Insoles

What: Take out the shoelaces and insoles from the shoes.

Why: Laces and insoles trap moisture, slowing down the drying process. Removing them not only allows better airflow inside the shoe but also prevents mildew from forming in hidden spots.

How: Gently pull the laces out, and remove the insoles if they are detachable. Wipe the insoles with a dry towel to remove excess moisture, then set them aside to dry separately. You can also place the insoles near a fan or stuff them with paper towels.

2. Stuff with Newspaper or Towels

What: Fill the inside of your shoes with crumpled newspaper or small, dry towels.

Why: Newspaper and towels act as natural moisture absorbers. They wick away water from the inner fabric of the shoes much faster than air drying alone.

How: Tightly crumple newspaper (or use absorbent paper towels) and stuff it inside the shoes until they are filled. Replace the paper every 1–2 hours, especially when it becomes damp. For faster results, you can wrap a dry towel around the outside of the shoe to draw out external moisture as well.

3. Use a Fan

What: Position the shoes in front of a fan or in a room with good airflow.

Why: Moving air accelerates the evaporation process by constantly replacing the humid air around the wet shoes with dry air. Unlike heat, it won’t warp or shrink the material.

How: Place your shoes on a wire rack or hang them using a clip so that the airflow reaches the interior. A simple box fan or standing fan works great. If possible, tilt the fan slightly downward and leave it running for a few hours.

4. Moisture-Absorbing Agents

What: Use materials like uncooked rice or silica gel packets to draw out moisture.

Why: These substances are highly effective at absorbing humidity, making them ideal for overnight drying when time is limited.

How: Place the shoes in a container filled with uncooked rice (without immersing them fully) or insert a few silica gel packets into each shoe. Leave them for 6–8 hours, and they’ll be noticeably drier by morning.

How to Dry Sneakers Overnight

Need to dry wet shoes quickly or sneakers for the next day? Drying them overnight might seem impossible, but with the right techniques, you can have them ready by morning—without damaging the fabric, glue, or soles. The key is to remove surface moisture quickly and ensure proper airflow inside the sneakers.

Here’s a step-by-step guide with more detailed explanations:

1. Wipe Off Surface Water

What: Remove as much water as possible from the sneaker’s outer layer.

Why: Excess water on the surface slows down the drying process and can seep deeper into the shoe’s fabric or padding, making it harder to dry overnight.

How: Use a clean, dry towel or microfiber cloth to pat the shoes and soak up visible water. Focus on seams, tongue, and inner padding. Avoid rubbing aggressively to prevent damaging the material or spreading dirt.

2. Elevate Your Shoes

What: Keep your sneakers off the ground by placing them on a rack or hanging them by their tongues.

Why: Elevation allows air to flow through both the inside and outside of the shoes, speeding up evaporation. When shoes sit flat, moisture gets trapped at the bottom.

How: Place sneakers on a shoe rack, a mesh shelf, or hang them by their tongues on a clothesline or hanger. If using a fan, keep them slightly tilted so that air can circulate inside.

3. Fan or Ventilation

What: Use a fan to move air around the shoes continuously.

Why: Constant airflow replaces humid air trapped inside the shoe with dry air, which speeds up drying naturally. Unlike heaters or radiators, this method won’t warp or damage the sneakers.

How: Position a fan 1–2 feet away and direct airflow into the shoes. For an extra boost, you can create a “towel tent” by draping a thin towel over the sneakers while the fan blows underneath, trapping moving air inside.

4. Swap Out Newspaper or Towels

What: Fill your sneakers with crumpled newspaper or paper towels to absorb moisture from the inside.

Why: Sneakers tend to stay wet inside due to padded soles and fabric linings. Absorbent materials like newspaper speed up drying by pulling moisture out.

How: Stuff each sneaker tightly with crumpled paper, focusing on the toe box and heel areas. After 1–2 hours, replace the damp newspaper with fresh, dry paper. Repeat until the shoes feel dry.

Extra Overnight Drying Tips

• Use a Dehumidifier: Place your sneakers in a small room with a dehumidifier running to suck moisture out of the air and the shoes.
• Add Moisture Absorbers: Silica gel packets or moisture-absorbing shoe inserts can work wonders overnight.
• Fan + Rice Combo: Place your sneakers in a breathable container with a layer of uncooked rice at the bottom, then position them near a fan for maximum moisture removal.

By following these steps, most sneakers will be completely dry by morning, ready for your next shift, workout, or run.

Drying Shoes in the Dryer (When It’s Safe & How to Do It)

Using a dryer can be one of the fastest ways to dry shoes, but it’s not always the safest. High heat and aggressive tumbling can warp soles, loosen glue, or shrink certain materials. However, for athletic sneakers or synthetic fabrics that are labeled as dryer-safe, this method can save you hours of waiting. The key is knowing how to do it properly and when not to use the dryer.

1. Check Material Compatibility

What: Always verify whether your shoes can go in the dryer.

Why: Materials like leather, suede, foam soles, and glue-heavy shoes can be ruined by heat, leading to cracks, warping, or unglued soles.

How: To dry wet shoes quickly, look at the care label (usually inside the tongue of the shoe). If it doesn’t specifically say “machine dry safe,” use an alternative method like air drying or a fan.

2. Use a Laundry Bag or Tied Laces

What: Secure shoes in a mesh laundry bag or tie their laces together and hang them from the dryer door.

Why: When shoes tumble freely, they can hit the drum, causing noise and damage to both the dryer and the shoes.

How:

• Option 1: Place the shoes inside a laundry bag or a pillowcase, and add a few towels to minimize impact.
• Option 2: Tie the laces together and hang the shoes on the inside of the dryer door while closing the door on the knot—this keeps them from tumbling.

3. Choose Low Heat or Air-Only Setting

What: Use the lowest temperature or the “air dry” cycle.

Why: High heat can warp rubber soles, weaken adhesives, and cause shrinkage or discoloration.

How: If your dryer has an air-only or no-heat setting, use it. If not, choose the lowest heat level and shorten the drying time to avoid overheating.

4. Check Every 10 Minutes

What: Monitor your shoes during the drying cycle.

Why: Shoes can overheat quickly, and if left unattended, they might lose their shape or suffer permanent damage.

How: Open the dryer every 10 minutes to check dryness. Remove them as soon as they’re no longer damp to finish air drying at room temperature.

5. Never Dry Leather or Foam Shoes

What: Leather, suede, and foam shoes should never go in the dryer.

Why: Leather and suede crack or shrink under heat, while foam soles (like those in Crocs or some running shoes) can warp or deform permanently.

How: For these shoes, stick to air drying methods like using towels, fans, or moisture-absorbing materials.

How to Dry Wet Leather Shoes Safely

Leather shoes are an investment, and improper drying can cause cracking, stiffness, or permanent damage. Unlike fabric sneakers, leather requires a slow and gentle approach to maintain its natural oils and texture. Here’s how to dry wet leather shoes without ruining them:

1. Blot Moisture Gently

What: Use a soft, dry towel or microfiber cloth to remove as much surface water as possible.

Why: Rubbing harshly can scratch or stretch the leather, while leaving moisture on the surface can cause water stains.

How: Press the towel firmly against the shoe’s surface, dabbing (not rubbing) to absorb water. Pay extra attention to seams and stitching where water often collects.

2. Insert Shoe Trees

What: Use cedar or wooden shoe trees to help the shoes keep their original shape while drying.

Why: Leather shrinks and deforms when it dries unevenly. Wooden shoe trees also absorb interior moisture and reduce odor.

How: If you don’t own shoe trees, fill the shoes with plain, unprinted paper or soft cloth. Avoid newspaper—it can transfer ink onto wet leather.

3. Air Dry Slowly

What: Let the shoes dry naturally in a cool, well-ventilated room.

Why: Direct heat sources like heaters, radiators, or sunlight can cause the leather to become brittle, leading to cracks and discoloration.

How: Place them near an open window or a fan for gentle airflow, but keep them at least a few feet away from any direct heat.

4. Apply Leather Conditioner After Drying

What: Once the shoes are fully dry, apply a high-quality leather conditioner or cream.

Why: Water strips away the natural oils in leather, leaving it dry and prone to cracking. Conditioner restores moisture and flexibility.

How: Use a soft cloth to massage a small amount of conditioner into the leather, let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then buff with a clean, dry cloth.

Smart Tricks on How to Dry Shoes Quickly

Sometimes you just don’t have 24 hours to let your shoes air dry naturally—maybe you need them for work, the gym, or a next-day trip. In these situations, you can speed up the drying process using safe and clever hacks. These methods focus on airflow and moisture absorption without causing heat damage.

1. Fan + Towel Tent Method

What: Create a “towel tent” by draping a towel over your shoes and pointing a fan at them.

Why: The towel traps circulating air around the shoes, helping evaporate moisture faster while protecting them from dust or debris.

How: Place your shoes on a rack or elevated surface, drape a dry towel over them (not touching the shoes too tightly), and set the fan on medium speed. In 3-4 hours, your shoes will be noticeably dry.

2. Dehumidifier Setup

What: Place your shoes in a small, enclosed room with a dehumidifier running.

Why: A dehumidifier sucks moisture out of the air, creating an ideal environment for shoes to dry without direct heat.

How: If possible, pair this method with newspaper or moisture-absorbing inserts inside the shoes for maximum effect.

3. Cool Blow Dryer

What: Use a hair dryer on the cool or lowest setting to blow air inside the shoes.

Why: Heat can damage glue, shrink fabric, or crack leather. Cool air, however, accelerates evaporation safely.

How: Hold the dryer 8-10 inches away and keep moving it around to avoid concentrating air on one spot.

4. Place Near Warm Airflow (No Direct Heat)

What: Use natural warm airflow, such as from a fridge compressor (back of your fridge) or a warm but gentle vent.

Why: These spots provide mild warmth and steady airflow, which is safer than heaters or radiators.

How: Keep shoes at least 12 inches away from any heat source to avoid material damage.

What to Avoid When Drying Wet Shoes

Many people unintentionally ruin their shoes by using harsh or improper drying techniques. Drying is not just about speed—it’s about protecting the material and structure of your footwear. Here are common mistakes to avoid, and why they can be harmful:

1. No Direct Sunlight or Heaters

What: Placing shoes under intense sunlight, near a radiator, or on top of a heater.

Why: Excessive heat causes materials—especially leather, rubber, or synthetic fabrics—to shrink, warp, or crack. It can also break down adhesives holding the shoes together.

How to Avoid: Always let shoes air dry naturally or use a fan for faster results instead of relying on heat.

2. No Ovens or Microwaves

What: Some people try to speed-dry shoes by putting them in an oven or microwave.

Why: This is extremely dangerous! High heat can melt glue, deform soles, burn fabric, and even cause fires. Microwaves can damage metal eyelets and create sparks.

How to Avoid: Stick to safe drying techniques like fan airflow, newspaper stuffing, or moisture-absorbing products.

3. Don’t Skip Insole and Lace Removal

What: Drying shoes with the insoles and laces still inside.

Why: Moisture gets trapped inside the shoe’s interior, slowing down the drying process and promoting bacteria growth and bad odors.

How to Avoid: Always remove laces and insoles separately. Dry them flat or stuff them with paper to maintain shape.

4. Avoid Machine Drying Leather Shoes

What: Putting leather shoes in a tumble dryer.

Why: Leather is sensitive to heat—it loses natural oils, becomes brittle, and cracks when dried this way.

How to Avoid: For leather shoes, stick to slow air drying, shoe trees, and conditioners to restore softness after drying.

Recommended Products

For those who frequently deal with wet shoes, investing in quick-dry solutions is worth it:

Conclusion

Drying your shoes fast doesn’t have to mean damaging them. By understanding the right methods—whether it’s using a fan, stuffing with newspaper, or setting up overnight drying—you can save time while protecting the materials. Always consider the shoe type, especially with leather, and invest in protective sprays or quick-dry tools to avoid future hassles.

FAQs

What’s the fastest way to dry wet shoes?

The fastest way is combining newspaper stuffing with a high-powered fan or dehumidifier. It dries shoes in just a few hours without heat damage.

Can I dry my sneakers overnight safely?

Yes, by using absorbent materials like newspaper and placing them near a fan, you can dry sneakers overnight with no risk of damage.

Is it okay to put shoes in the dryer?

Only athletic or synthetic shoes are safe for the dryer. Leather or glue-heavy shoes should never be machine-dried.

How do I dry wet leather shoes without cracking them?

Air drying away from heat and applying conditioner afterward is key to preventing cracks in leather shoes.

What’s the best way to dry shoes fast without a dryer?

Newspaper stuffing and fan drying remain the most reliable methods to dry wet shoes quickly without dryer use.