If you ask most people their ‘secret hack’ to dry out wet shoes they’ll probably trot out the time-honoured way handed down from their Mum: newspaper. This method is so entrenched in the communal psyche that it’s just blindly carried out to its eventual mediocre effect.
But, while those Old Wives were on the right track – Dadsplainer has some tips to make it more quick, easy and effective. (Yes, I’m trying to own that phrase…)
Newspaper: the good and the bad
Yes, using newsprint can be beneficial but most people will say this’ll get shoes dry ‘overnight’ and say that’s quick. I say, who can wait that long?
Stuffing the shoe with a couple sheets of scrunched up newsprint will definitely absorb out a lot of moisture. But, even if you replace it every few hours, as some sites advise, you’re still hoping a wet thing full of wet stuff is going to dry out completely. It won’t. It’s like leaving all your washing in a bundle after the machine’s final cycle and hoping it’ll dry quickly. Nope, it’ll stay damp for ages. And so will your shoes.
The real secret: preparation, optimisation
A few simple preliminary steps will get your wet shoes ready for its most effective drying.
Useful things: Newspaper – sure, but also an old towel – most people would have that item somewhere handy for emergencies; wet dog, kitchen spills etc – and paper towels (no risk of ink stains).
The more wet components are separated, the better
If your shoes have laces – don’t just loosen them, remove them completely. They hold a surprising amount of water, let’s get it out. Grab one end and pinch the lace up next to it inside a corner of the towel.
If the insoles are removable, whip ‘em out too.
Remove as much moisture from the shoes as soon as possible
You can do the stuffing newspaper inside bit here if you want – but just leaving it there to ‘wick away’ the moisture is passive and slow…
Remember – our mantra is quick, easy and effective – time to get active.
OK, say you’ve stuffed your shoes with paper. Now grab that towel put it on top of them. Next, press the towel down on your shoes with your feet. This may seem weird but your shoes are designed to take your weight – it’s just usually from the inside, that’s all.
You’ll probably see two shoe-shaped areas of dampness in the towel straight away. This tells you moisture is already coming out in useful amounts.
Inside the shoes, that same pressure will have transferred moisture quickly into the paper. It’s almost certainly done all it can do so replace it immediately then find a fresh, dry spot on your towel. Repeat – it might take 4 or 5 times – until there’s no further appreciable difference to how much is being drawn out of the shoes.
Squish your insoles in a towel sandwich to prepare them too.
You’re already off to a flying head start and it’s probably taken about 3 minutes.
Now it’s about maximising all surfaces for whatever drying forces you have available.
If you really have nothing but the room you’re in, pull the shoe’s tongue out (if it has one) and leave for the air to do its work.
The more drying influences you can apply, the better your result
For instance, if there’s any sunlight – prop your shoes on an angle so that the sun shines inside them as much as possible. Be fussy – a few seconds getting this perfect makes all the difference.
Failing that – any source of airflow will help. Setting them in front of a fan heater is obviously ideal but even a regular fan is useful.
If your shoes got wet, maybe some clothes did too. If they’re in the dryer, put your shoes in front of the air exhaust.
And, this came from my Mum, you can put your shoes on a rack in a WARM (not hot) oven – they’ll be crispy dry pronto.
I mean, if you’re desperate you could chuck them in the dryer – but they’ll probably clank around for ages bashing them about – I wouldn’t recommend that.
So, there you have it – some results-focussed prep to dry out wet shoes so you can set and forget.
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