How to Dry Wet Shoes Quickly on a Rainy Day
Why Wet Shoes Do Not Dry Easily
The insoles and the lining over the top of the foot stay wet longer than the outer fabric. When air inside the shoe is stagnant, moisture has nowhere to escape, so the key is to absorb moisture from the inside and create an airflow path within the shoe.
| Section | Key summary |
|---|---|
| Why Wet Shoes Do Not Dry Easily | The insoles and the lining over the top of the foot stay wet longer than the outer fabric |
| Emergency Steps You Can Finish in 10 Minutes | Remove the insoles and set them aside |
| Drying Time by Tool | Short key point |
| Rules to Follow When Using a Dryer | Use a hair dryer when you are in a hurry, but if possible, use only the cool-air mode |
Emergency Steps You Can Finish in 10 Minutes
- Remove the insoles and set them aside. Insoles should be dried separately from the shoes so both can dry faster.
- Press firmly inside the shoes with a dry towel for 5 seconds at a time to absorb the surface water first.
- Crumple sheets of newspaper into balls and fill the shoes completely. About 3 to 4 sheets of newspaper per pair is appropriate.
- After 1 hour, remove the damp newspaper and replace it once more with dry newspaper.
- Place a fan 30cm in front of the shoe openings and blow air directly into them on low speed for 2 to 3 hours.
Drying Time by Tool
| Method | Estimated time | Caution |
|---|---|---|
| Air drying only | 20 to 28 hours | Risk of odor and mold |
| Replacing newspaper | 8 to 12 hours | Replace every 1 hour |
| Newspaper + fan | 4 to 6 hours | Use on low speed |
| Hair dryer | 1 to 2 hours | Cool air only; watch for glue deformation |
Rules to Follow When Using a Dryer
Use a hair dryer when you are in a hurry, but if possible, use only the cool-air mode. Hot air can melt the adhesive in sneaker soles, causing the soles to lift or synthetic leather to shrink. Keep it at least 15cm away from the shoes and move it around so it does not stay in one spot for too long.
Never dry shoes by placing them directly on a gas stove, heater, or electric heating mat. Synthetic materials may deform, or it could lead to a fire. A laundry dryer is also not recommended unless it has a dedicated sneaker cycle, because the soles may come loose.