Tossing wet sneakers loose in the dryer creates a racket that sounds like a demolition crew and can damage both the shoes and the drum. Knowing how to dry shoes in dryer the right way protects your footwear, keeps the machine intact, and cuts drying time in half compared to air drying alone. The method takes about two minutes of setup and works for most canvas and athletic shoes.
Which Shoes Can Go in the Dryer
Not every shoe belongs in a tumble dryer. Machine drying works safely for these types:
- Canvas sneakers — Converse, Vans, and similar cotton-upper shoes handle low heat well
- Athletic shoes — most Nike, Adidas, and New Balance running shoes with mesh or knit uppers
- Nylon or polyester gym shoes — synthetic materials tolerate low to medium heat
- Cotton slip-ons — basic fabric flats and casual shoes
Never machine dry leather, suede, faux leather, dress shoes, or shoes with gel insoles or visible air pockets. High heat warps these materials, melts adhesives, and can permanently alter the shoe’s shape.
Step-by-Step: Drying Shoes in a Dryer
- Remove the insoles and laces. Insoles dry faster on their own and can trap moisture inside the shoe if left in. Laces can wrap around the drum paddle and snag
- Wipe off excess mud or debris with a damp cloth. Dirt baked onto shoes by dryer heat becomes nearly impossible to remove later
- Tie the laces of both shoes together, leaving about 6 inches of lace between them
- Drape the knotted laces over the top of the dryer door so the shoes hang inside the drum. Close the door on the laces. The shoes should dangle without touching the bottom of the drum
- Set the dryer to low heat or air fluff. High heat weakens adhesives that bond the sole to the upper
- Run the dryer for 20 minutes. Check the shoes. If still damp, run another 10 to 15 minutes
- Remove and let the shoes air out for 10 minutes before wearing to release residual moisture
The Towel Method (Alternative for Front-Loaders)
If your dryer door does not allow lace-hanging, wrap each shoe individually in a dry towel to cushion it. Place two to three additional dry towels in the drum to absorb moisture and reduce banging. Use low heat and check every 15 minutes. This method works well for front-loading dryers where the door seal is too tight to drape laces over.
Drying Time by Shoe Type
Heat tolerance and material thickness affect how long shoes take to dry. These estimates assume low heat settings:
- Thin canvas sneakers: 20 to 30 minutes
- Running shoes with mesh upper: 30 to 40 minutes
- Thick-soled basketball shoes: 40 to 60 minutes
- Heavy hiking shoes (synthetic only): 50 to 70 minutes. Consider air drying instead
Common Mistakes to Avoid
High heat is the biggest enemy of machine-dried shoes. Temperatures above 135 degrees F soften the glue that bonds rubber soles to fabric uppers, causing separation that no amount of shoe goo can permanently fix. Always use the lowest heat setting your dryer offers.
Overloading the dryer with shoes and a full load of clothes traps moisture and extends drying time. Dry shoes alone or with just a few towels. Skipping the insole removal is another common mistake. Insoles hold moisture like a sponge and develop odor when they cannot dry completely. Pull them out every time and lay them flat near a fan or vent.
Air-Drying Alternatives
When dryer drying is not an option, these methods work well:
- Newspaper stuffing: Crumple newspaper loosely and pack it inside each shoe. Replace every 2 to 3 hours. Shoes dry in 8 to 12 hours
- Fan drying: Hook shoes on a wire hanger bent into an S shape and hang them in front of a box fan. Dries shoes in 4 to 6 hours
- Boot dryer: Electric boot dryers like the DryGuy or Peet cost $30 to $50 and dry shoes gently in 4 to 8 hours using warm convection air. Worth the investment if you deal with wet shoes regularly
Preventing Odor After Drying
Damp shoes breed bacteria that cause odor. Even after drying, sprinkle a tablespoon of baking soda inside each shoe and leave it overnight to neutralize residual smells. Shake out the powder before wearing. For persistent odor, spray the interior with a mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar, then air dry completely. Cedar shoe inserts ($8 to $12 per pair) absorb moisture between wears and keep shoes smelling fresh long-term.
Protecting Your Dryer
Shoes with metal eyelets, buckles, or decorative hardware can scratch the dryer drum’s enamel coating. Always use the hanging lace method or towel wrap to prevent direct contact between metal components and the drum surface. If you notice black scuff marks inside the drum after drying shoes, wipe them away immediately with a damp cloth and a small amount of rubbing alcohol before the marks transfer to your next load of laundry. Running an empty cycle with a damp towel afterward removes any lingering debris or rubber particles left behind by the shoe soles.
