In rain and sleet, when there are puddles, slush and dirt outside, our shoes are the first to suffer. Drying it after a walk is not a problem, the main thing is to find the right way for each type of product, then they will last for many years. And be sure to get rid of excess moisture in shoes or boots in a timely manner so that the sole does not peel off, the surface does not deform, and fungus does not appear.
To prevent your favorite pair of shoes from being damp inside for a long time after you wet your feet or washed your sneakers or sneakers, it is better to learn in advance about all sorts of ways to quickly dry them. About them later in our article.
Advice : if the weather is slushy for a long time, then use special protective impregnations with a water-repellent effect when caring for your shoes.
Features for different materials
The method for drying sneakers after washing largely depends on what type of material they are made from:
Textile sneakers, lightweight fabric sneakers or sports shoes can be dried using a stream of warm air generated by a hairdryer or fan, or a regular crumpled newspaper. The process can be significantly speeded up by special equipment designed for drying shoes - electric dryers.
Sneakers made of genuine leather should absolutely not be dried with a directed flow of high-temperature air, and when using electric dryers, it is recommended to lubricate the surface of the shoes with a special protective compound. This will help protect the material from drying out and cracking.
Suede shoes can be dried using only delicate drying methods using crumpled newspapers or silica gel. Drying should be carried out away from heating devices at room temperature.
What can you dry in a tumble dryer?
Cotton, synthetic or semi-synthetic and many other mixed fabrics can and should be machine dried. After treatment with warm air, these materials acquire a pleasant softness to the touch. Many products are ironed during the drying process and are immediately ready for use, without ironing. This machine procedure is ideal for bed linen, bedspreads, terry towels and robes, blankets, pajamas, casual wear, etc.
If your daily clothes are mostly jeans and sports T-shirts, then this dryer is definitely for you. There are models that have a special metal basket in which you can dry soft toys, textile bags and even some types of shoes, etc. If you are going to dry just such things, look for a model with special additional accessories.
Preliminary preparation
Before washing and drying sneakers, you need to prepare them first. Remove visible dirt by washing it off with a sponge and soapy water, or wiping it with a napkin.
Then you need to remove the laces, insole and other accessories. Shoes need to be opened as much as possible - this will speed up the process of moisture evaporation. Explore the capabilities of your washing machine. For example, in Kandy, there are special programs for washing sports shoes.
Quick drying methods
How to dry sneakers after washing using newspapers
One of the old, but nevertheless effective methods is drying sneakers using newspapers. Wet sneakers are filled with crumpled paper sheets, which quickly absorb moisture.
That is why during the drying process the paper should be replaced with fresh one every two hours.
Drying sneakers with a fan or air conditioner
In order to dry steam using this method, it is necessary to modify the device by attaching wire hooks to its mesh. This is where you should hang wet sneakers or sneakers. A few hours of operation of the device and the sneakers will become dry. Drying with air conditioning follows the same principle.
How to dry sneakers using rice, salt, soda
With rice
In order to quickly dry your sneakers after washing with rice, you can use two methods.
Place the wet sneakers in the box, first turning them over, then pouring rice on top. The lid of the box must be closed and left to dry for 5-6 hours. The cereal will absorb moisture, and after some time you can take completely dry shoes out of the box.
The second option: pour rice into socks, which are subsequently placed inside sneakers or sneakers. It is recommended to leave the sneakers in this position overnight.
Soda
How to quickly dry sneakers at home? Use a product that is in every home, baking soda. For drying, cloth bags are filled with soda and placed in sneakers. As the filler dries, it should be replaced with a dry one. After complete drying, the couple should be ventilated.
Salt
You can dry wet shoes quite quickly using regular salt. For this:
- Salt is poured into a frying pan or plate and heated over a fire or in the microwave.
- Place it in a bag made of thin fabric (or gauze).
- Place it inside the shoe.
How long does it take for sneakers to dry after washing using this drying method? From 4 to 7 hours.
Useful tips and tricks
How to quickly refresh your sneakers if you can’t wash them:
- At night, place a bag of green or black tea in each shoe. The tea leaves will attract an unpleasant odor.
- There are different flavors for shoes. Place sachets of mixtures based on lavender, linden, chamomile, and citrus peels in your shoes.
- Wash the insoles separately. They accumulate a lot of sweat and microorganisms.
- Place the shoes in the freezer for 6 hours so that the cold kills the bacteria. Don't forget to pack your boots in a bag.
- Wipe the insides of the shoes with a cloth soaked in a vinegar solution (1:1).
Some tips for caring for sports and casual shoes:
- Before going outside, treat your shoes with water-repellent sprays or creams.
- Use shoe deodorant regularly.
- Wear clean socks.
- Don't wear the same pair for a long time.
- After a walk in rainy weather, use electric shoe dryers with bactericidal properties.
- Insert highly absorbent carbon insoles. There are also scented liners that will mask the odor from your feet.
- Avoid machine washing, especially if the shoes have defects.
- When washing in a drum, do not neglect the protective cover. It protects both the shoes themselves and the machine.
- Take the time to wash your laces by hand to prevent the plastic ends from coming unglued.
- If the smell appears after one use of sneakers, then pay attention to the health of your feet.
- In case of nail fungus, immediately begin treatment and disinfect your shoes to avoid re-infection.
Over time, comprehensive shoe care will become a habit. This is important for both the appearance and health of the skin on your feet. Spend a few minutes a day cleaning and wash your sneakers twice a month so that they are pleasant and not embarrassing to wear.
What kind of shoe dryers are there on the market today?
Standard dryer
The standard electric dryer is a heated mat or shelf. This dryer takes up little space, gently dries shoes, and can accommodate the shoes of all family members at the same time.
How long it takes for sneakers to dry after washing during use depends on the type of shoe and the material from which it is made. On average from 4 to 12 hours.
Electric dryer in the form of pads
The most popular and convenient form of electric dryers. The device consists of two plastic parts with heating elements inside.
How to bleach soles
The white sole of the sneakers is essential to give the look the most preppy impression possible. Make sure that the most visible element of your shoes is clean every day so that dirt does not get absorbed and ruin your mood.
Ways to whiten the soles of sneakers:
- A melamine sponge will help you quickly remove dirt: wet it and walk over the entire surface until the stains disappear.
- Soak a cotton swab with hydrogen peroxide and go over the sole several times.
- Use oxygen bleach in gel form.
- Apply a little dishwashing gel to an old toothbrush and scrub the sole until white.
- Use white toothpaste.
- Wipe the sole with vinegar solution.
- Cut a slice of lemon and rub it over the stains.
- Wipe off dirt with a regular school eraser.
The more often you pay attention to the side parts of the sole, the longer they remain white and the slower they absorb dirt.
How to properly dry wet sneakers after washing. Scheme for drying wet shoes
In order to dry wet sneakers correctly, you need to:
- If you get caught in the rain, immediately remove your wet shoes as soon as you come from the street.
- Remove adhering dirt from the surface.
- Unlace the sneakers and remove the accessories.
Make sure that wet shoes are not exposed to heating devices. Otherwise, the material may become deformed.
Electric dryers
Liner dryers
The liner dryer has two plastic parts that contain heating elements. The device is placed in sneakers for 3–4 hours.
For convenience and longer service life, purchase models without protruding wires.
Fan dryers
The dryer works from the mains and from a battery (even a machine battery). It allows you to dry a pair of sneakers not only at home, but also on the go.
Drying occurs within 2-3 hours due to the supply of warm air inside.
Ultraviolet
The UV device is not cheap, but it allows you to both dry your shoes and disinfect them.
It works similar to a blow dryer, but has a built-in ultraviolet lamp.
For those who wash by hand
If you do not want to wash your sneakers in an automatic washing machine, you can remove dirt manually. When hand washing sports shoes, it is recommended to use a simple soap solution, washing powder and a soft-bristled brush.
It is recommended to place shoes in a basin of warm water with detergent and let them stand for no more than half an hour. Then the surface must be rubbed with a brush and rinsed thoroughly.
Important! Insoles and other removable items should be washed separately.
Main stage of washing
If there are stains on the fabric surface of the shoes, treat them locally with oxygen bleaches, stain removers or folk remedies. Then wash according to the instructions.
Washing temperature
The maximum water temperature for washing and rinsing sneakers is 40 degrees. This is a general rule for all types of materials that can be washed.
Laundry equipment
Use soft brushes to thoroughly scrub the inside of the sneakers. Without additional mechanical action, removing sweat stains can be very difficult.
Brushes will also be needed to treat the side of the sole. Just do not use metal objects or abrasives!
To prevent light sneakers from floating and being completely immersed in the cleaning solution, weigh them down with some kind of weight.
Washing time:
- Soak your sneakers for no more than one hour.
- Then refresh the solution and wipe all contaminated areas for 10-15 minutes.
Detergents
The range of detergents for sneakers is wide: choose industrial powders and gels, simple laundry soap, shampoos, traditional bleaching and disinfecting mixtures like soda.
How to properly wash sneakers in various ways, examples:
- Rub half a bar of laundry soap, fill a basin full of water and stir the solution thoroughly. Now put your sneakers in there, let the soap dissolve the dirt, and then go over all surfaces with a brush.
- Baking soda and salt can remove greasy stains. Prepare a strong solution, soak your shoes in it, and then soap them and clean them with a sponge.
- Citric acid: dissolve a sachet in 1 liter of water and thoroughly scrub the stains with a brush.
Rinse and spin
After washing, you need to rinse off all foam and soapy water. Use running water or pour it into a basin, temperature 30-40 degrees. You can add a little conditioner to the water to give your shoes a nice smell.
To wring, lean the sneakers against the wall of the bathtub and press with your palms. Do not twist the material or bend the sole in half - it may crack.
