An important point: you need to start drying your shoes as soon as possible. Ideally, right after you come home with wet feet (or pull a freshly washed pair out of the machine).
The fact is that in wet shoes bacteria and fungi multiply rapidly, due to which an unpleasant odor and mold stains can appear. In addition, if you tighten it with drying, the quality of shoes or boots may suffer: they will become stiff, their appearance will deteriorate.
To dry your shoes as gently as possible, follow our instructions.
How to prepare shoes for drying
Remove dirt
If it dries on the surface of the shoe, it can lead to stubborn stains. Dealing with them is very difficult, and in some cases even impossible.
As soon as you get home with wet feet, take off your shoes and use a damp cloth to remove the most obvious dirt from your shoes, including raindrops and wet snow.
This does not apply to suede boots: they just need to be gently blotted with a towel. Shoes made of such a delicate material should only be cleaned when dry. And fabric shoes and sneakers, if they are seriously soiled, should be sent to the wash immediately (follow the instructions on the label!) And only then dry.
Pull out the insoles
If it is possible of course. Due to the free circulation of air inside the shoes will dry faster. Let the insoles dry separately.
Take off your laces
Like insoles, they make it difficult for air to circulate inside the shoe, so it’s best to dry them separately.
Use mold holders
They will help prevent the formation of creases and bends. If you don’t have special plastic mold holders, you can install foam pads that were sold with a pair in your shoes, or put crumpled paper inside.
How to dry shoes properly
Avoid direct heat
In no case do not put shoes, sneakers, boots on the radiator, as well as near a heater or open flame. Drying shoes in direct sunlight is also not the best choice.
The fact is that excess heat can damage the outer surface of the shoe and change the properties of glue, impregnation and other materials. Because of this, shoes can dry out or lose their properties: for example, they become stiffer or begin to let water through.
Find a place with good air circulation
For example, you can put shoes under the fan – without the heating function turned on! Or leave it out in the open. This will greatly speed up drying.
What can I do to make my shoes dry faster?
Use shoe dryers
These are electrical heating elements that are placed inside wet steam and plugged into an outlet. Gadgets are heated to a safe temperature, and shoes dry faster due to this.
Dryers may have additional functions besides heating. For example, some models at the same time blow warm air on the inside of the shoes. And others have built-in ultraviolet lamps that destroy bacteria and fungi.
Place folded paper napkins inside shoes
Old newspapers and toilet paper will also work. Such materials quickly absorb excess moisture. To speed up drying, don’t overstuff your shoes, and change the paper when it gets wet—every 2-4 hours.
Use a towel
Like paper napkins, the fabric effectively absorbs moisture.
Place two corners of the towel inside the shoes, one in each shoe. Loosely wrap the boot with its free part on all sides. The first towel should be removed after a few minutes: it will absorb most of the moisture. Then replace it with a fresh one and leave for a few hours.
Use rice or cat litter
If you have an excess of these products, fill the bucket with them by about 2-3 centimeters. Then dip your toes in rice or filler, cover the bucket with a lid, and let it sit overnight.
And remember: where shoes are stored, it should be dry and warm. If you keep your pair in cold and humid conditions, they will be permanently wet, no matter how carefully you dry them beforehand.