Have you ever stepped in a deep puddle on your commute, finished scrubbing your favorite pair of sneakers, or gotten caught in an unexpected downpour? If you need your shoes dry fast, you've probably wondered if you can just throw them in the clothes dryer and move on with your day.

The short answer is that some shoes can go in the dryer — if you follow the right rules. Do it wrong, and you can end up with shrunk sneakers, cracked glue, faded fabric, or even a damaged dryer drum.

In this guide, to break down exactly how to dry shoes in a dryer safely. I cover which materials are dryer-safe, step-by-step instructions to avoid permanent damage, common mistakes to skip, and reliable alternative methods for shoes that can't handle machine drying. By the end, you'll know exactly what to do the next time your shoes get soaked.

Can You Put Shoes in the Dryer?

Wondering if your go-to pair can handle the dryer? It depends almost entirely on the shoe's material and how it's constructed.

First, always check the care label. You can usually find it printed on the tongue or inside the heel of the shoe. As noted in footwear care guide, standard laundry symbols apply here:

· A square with a circle inside = safe for dryer use

· A square with a single dot = dryer-safe on low heat only

· A square with an X = do not dry in a tumble dryer

If there's no label and you're unsure of the material, stick to air-drying to be safe. The table below breaks down common shoe materials and their general dryer safety.

According to The Spruce's home care experts, plain canvas sneakers are the safest option for machine drying. Even then, repeated dryer use will shorten the overall lifespan of your shoes compared to air-drying.

Real Risks of Drying Shoes in the Dryer

Before you toss your shoes in, it's important to understand what can go wrong. These are the most common types of damage caused by improper machine drying.

1. Shrinkage

Heat causes fabric, leather, and synthetic fibers to contract. Even low heat can cause minor shrinkage if you leave shoes in too long. For canvas sneakers, it's not unusual to lose half a shoe size after one high-heat cycle. For leather shoes, shrinkage is often permanent and unwearable.

2. Glue and adhesive breakdown

Nearly all mass-produced shoes are held together with industrial-grade glues. High heat softens these adhesives over time, which can lead to sole separation, loose toe caps, or peeling uppers. The Spruce confirms that repeated dryer use is one of the top causes of premature sneaker breakdown.

3. Fabric fading and brittleness

Direct heat fades dye, especially on dark or brightly colored shoes. It can also make fabric fibers brittle and more likely to tear with regular wear. White shoes may yellow if exposed to too much heat.

4. Damage to your dryer

Hard rubber soles banging around inside the drum can scratch the interior or damage the dryer's baffles. Loose laces can get tangled in the dryer mechanism. Bullfeet's footwear care guide also notes that leaving shoes unattended near high heat creates a minor fire risk in extreme cases.

5. Shape distortion

Shoes that tumble freely can lose their original shape. Toe boxes may cave in, ankle collars may warp, and the overall structure can become misshapen.

How to Dry Shoes in a Dryer (Step-by-Step)

If you've confirmed your shoes are dryer-safe and you need to speed up the process, follow these steps to minimize damage and get the best results.

Step 1: Prep your shoes first

Proper prep cuts down on dryer time and reduces how much heat your shoes are exposed to.

· Blot excess water: Use a clean, absorbent towel to press water out of the uppers, insoles, and soles. Don't wring or twist your shoes — that can stretch fabric and weaken glue. This step removes standing water so your dryer doesn't have to.

· Remove laces and insoles: Take both out completely. Laces can get tangled and snag inside the dryer. Insoles trap moisture against the footbed and take longer to dry if left inside. You can dry laces and insoles separately in a mesh laundry bag, or air-dry them on a rack.

· Wipe off dirt and mud: If your shoes are dirty from rain or puddles, wipe off debris before drying. Dried mud caked into fabric is much harder to clean later.

Step 2: Protect your shoes and your dryer

There are two reliable methods to keep shoes from banging around and getting scuffed.

Method A: Mesh bag + towels

· Place your shoes inside a zippered mesh laundry bag and close it tightly.

· Add 2–3 clean dry bath towels to the dryer. The towels absorb extra moisture, muffle banging noise, and cushion shoes as they tumble.

· This method works best for sturdier canvas sneakers.

Method B: Lace hang trick (from The Spruce)

· Tie the two ends of your shoelaces together in a tight knot.

· Open the dryer door. Hang the shoes inside so the soles rest against the inside of the door.

· Close the dryer door on the laces, leaving the knot on the outside. This holds the shoes in place so they don't tumble or bang.

· This method is gentler on shoe shape and reduces noise almost completely. It works best for lighter canvas and fabric shoes.

Step 3: Pick the right dryer settings

This is the most important step to avoid damage.

· Use the lowest heat possible: If your dryer has an air dry or no heat setting, use that first. It takes longer but eliminates almost all heat damage risk. If not, select the delicates or low heat cycle. Never use medium or high heat.

· Skip the timed long cycle: Don't set it for 60 minutes and walk away. Short bursts with checks in between are much safer.

Step 4: Run short cycles and check often

· Start with a 20-minute cycle on low or no heat.

· When the cycle ends, open the dryer and feel your shoes. Pay extra attention to the toe box and footbed — those are the last areas to dry.

· If they're still damp, run another 5–10 minute cycle. Repeat as needed.

· The Spruce recommends stopping when shoes feel slightly damp, then letting them finish drying naturally at room temperature. This cuts down on total heat exposure and prevents over-drying.

Step 5: Reshape and finish air-drying

· When you take shoes out of the dryer, gently reshape them by hand. Push out the toe box, smooth the upper, and adjust the ankle collar.

· Set them in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight for 1–2 hours to finish drying completely. Sunlight fades dye and can weaken fabric, so a shaded spot with airflow is best.

Pro Tips for Dryer Drying

· Don't dry shoes with your regular laundry. Shoes can transfer dirt, mud, or dye to clothes.

· Don't use dryer balls with shoes. They cause extra scuffing and can scratch shoe uppers.

· If you're drying white shoes, add a dry white towel to help prevent yellowing.

· Never put shoes in the dryer if they have any metal decorations that can scratch the drum.

How Long Does It Take to Dry Shoes in the Dryer?

Drying time depends on how wet the shoes are, what they're made of, and your dryer settings. The table below gives general estimates for low-heat dryer use.

These are only estimates. High humidity, thick shoe construction, and older dryers can all add time. Always check early rather than risk over-drying and shrinkage.

For comparison, Vessi's footwear care guide shares these times for alternative methods:

· Fan drying: 2–3 hours

· Rice method: ~2 hours

· Newspaper method: 8+ hours

· Dedicated shoe dryer: ~3 hours

Alternative Drying Methods (For Shoes That Can't Go in the Dryer)

Leather, suede, and glue-heavy shoes should never go in a clothes dryer. Use one of these reliable, low-heat methods instead.

1. Newspaper Method

This is the classic method for leather and dress shoes. It's cheap, gentle, and works for almost any shoe type.

1. Blot excess water with a towel. Remove laces and insoles.

2. Crumple plain black-and-white newspaper into loose balls. Avoid pages with heavy colored ink — it can stain light-colored shoes.

3. Stuff the newspaper loosely into the toe boxes. Don't pack it tight — that can warp the shoe shape.

4. Wrap the outside of the shoes with 2–3 more layers of newspaper.

5. Place shoes in a well-ventilated area away from sun and heat.

6. Replace wet newspaper every 2–3 hours until shoes are dry.

Bullfeet recommends using only newspaper inside for leather shoes, rather than wrapping the outside. This slows drying slightly and keeps leather from drying out too fast and cracking.

2. Rice Method

This works well for mild dampness and hard-to-reach spots inside shoes.

1. Fill a plastic storage bin with 1 inch of dry, uncooked white rice.

2. Place your shoes open-side down in the rice.

3. Close the lid tightly.

4. Check after 2 hours. The rice acts as a desiccant and pulls moisture out of the shoes.

5. If still damp, replace the rice and wait longer.

This method is not ideal for fully soaked shoes, as it can take much longer than fan drying.

3. Fan Method

This is the fastest no-heat method and works for every shoe material.

1. Remove laces and insoles.

2. Place shoes on a drying rack or hang them by the laces in front of a standing fan. Angle the fan so air flows directly into the shoe openings.

3. Set the fan to medium or high speed.

4. Check after 2 hours. Most shoes dry in 2–3 hours with good airflow.

The Spruce recommends this method over machine drying for most shoes. It's almost as fast as a dryer on low heat and causes almost no wear and tear.

4. Dedicated Shoe Dryer

If you regularly deal with wet shoes — for example, if you hike, run, or live in a very rainy climate — a dedicated shoe dryer is a worthwhile investment.

1. Blot excess water from shoes with a cloth.

2. Place shoes upside down over the dryer's shoe trees.

3. Turn on the unit. Most models run on warm, not hot, air and have auto-shutoff timers (usually 3 hours max).

4. For leather shoes, apply a small amount of leather conditioner after drying to restore softness.

Shoe dryers are designed specifically for footwear, so they're far less likely to cause damage than a standard clothes dryer.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

These are the most frequent errors people make when drying shoes. Skipping these mistakes will help your shoes last much longer.

1. Using high heat to save time This is the number one cause of shoe damage. High heat cuts drying time in half but can ruin glue, fade color, and shrink fabric. The extra 30 minutes you save is not worth replacing a $100 pair of shoes.

2. Running one long cycle A single 60-minute cycle exposes shoes to continuous heat. Multiple short bursts with checks in between are much safer and give you more control.

3. Leaving insoles inside Insoles trap moisture against the footbed. Your shoes may feel dry on the outside but stay wet inside, which leads to mold, mildew, and bad odor.

4. Drying leather shoes in the dryer Genuine leather should never go in a tumble dryer. Heat strips the natural oils that keep leather soft and flexible. Once leather cracks from drying out, the damage is permanent.

5. Air-drying in direct sunlight Many people set shoes outside in the sun to dry. UV rays fade dye and can weaken fabric and glue over time. Always dry shoes in the shade with good airflow.

6. Ignoring the care label If the tag says do not tumble dry, don't risk it. Replacement shoes cost far more than waiting a day for air-drying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can you put sneakers in the dryer?

A: Most canvas and synthetic sneakers can go in the dryer on the lowest heat setting, as long as you follow prep steps and use short cycles. Always check the care label first. Leather or suede sneakers should never go in the dryer.

Q: How do you dry shoes in the dryer without them making noise?

A: Place shoes in a zippered mesh laundry bag with a few dry towels to muffle sound. You can also tie the laces together and hang them over the dryer door, so they don't tumble and bang against the drum.

Q: Can you put leather shoes in the dryer?

A: No. Genuine leather, suede, and nubuck should never be dried in a machine dryer. Heat removes natural oils from the leather, causing permanent cracking, stiffening, and shrinkage. Use the newspaper method or a fan instead.

Q: How long do shoes take to dry in the dryer?

A: On low heat, slightly damp canvas sneakers take about 20–30 minutes. Fully soaked shoes may take 40–60 minutes total, split into multiple short cycles. Always check every 10 minutes after the first 20 to avoid over-drying.

Q: Will shoes shrink in the dryer?

A: They can, especially if you use high heat or dry them for too long. Canvas, leather, and some synthetic fabrics shrink when exposed to heat. Using low heat or air dry, and stopping while shoes are slightly damp, reduces shrinkage risk.

Q: Can you put shoes in the dryer with clothes?

A: It's not recommended. Shoes can transfer dirt, mud, or dye to your laundry. They can also snag delicate fabrics. It's better to dry shoes separately.

Q: How do I get bad smell out of wet shoes?

A: Before drying, you can soak shoes in a 50/50 mix of water and white vinegar for 15 minutes to kill odor-causing bacteria. After drying, sprinkle a little baking soda inside the shoes and let it sit overnight, then shake it out. Baking soda both absorbs leftover moisture and neutralizes odors.

Q: What is the safest way to dry shoes?

A: Air-drying at room temperature in a well-ventilated area is the safest method for all shoe types. Using a fan speeds up the process without heat damage. Dryers are faster but carry risk of damage, so they're best reserved for sturdy canvas shoes when you're in a hurry.