You know it’s important to clean your trainers regularly. And you also know how vital it is that your trainers are completely dry before you use them, especially if you want to avoid blisters, mould, bacteria, and foul smells.

But sometimes, you need those wet trainers to be dry ASAP - so is it advisable to put them in the dryer?

In this short guide, we’ll reveal the pros and cons of choosing the tumble dryer option, as well as some preferable alternatives. We’ll also introduce you to a better option all round, cleaning without soaking, and how you can do that quickly and easily with Boot Buddy.

Can You Put Trainers In The Dryer?

It’s possible to put some types of trainers in the dryer. If they include a care label that specifies tumble drying, and you take certain precautions, you can usually dry your shoes in the dryer on the lowest setting.

However, this option is not without some risk, as the heat can degrade the glue or cause the shoes to shrink. It’s also possible that your trainers may damage the dryer, especially if you don’t take precautions.

To help you decide whether the dryer is the best option, here are the advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages Of Using A Dryer

There really is only one advantage to using a dryer to dry your trainers - speed. Putting wet shoes in a tumble dryer can help to get them dry more quickly than some other methods, or waiting for them to dry naturally.

If speed is essential, i.e., to get PE shoes in the kitbag before the school bus leaves, then drying shoes in the dryer may be the solution.

However, it’s essential that you only ever put shoes suitable for tumble drying into your dryer, and that you use the lowest setting available.

It’s also important to follow certain practices if you want to avoid damaging either the shoes or your dryer, as well as reducing the inevitable loud noises shoes make during a tumble dry cycle.

Drying Your Trainers in the Tumble Dryer: Dos & Don'ts

Here are some important Dos and Don'ts to consider if you’re thinking of using a dryer for your shoes.

Do

• Always choose a gentle cycle and low heat setting, or the lowest temperature your machine will allow, to protect the form and integrity of your shoes.

• Remove the laces and any removable insoles. Although there is less danger of the laces getting tangled than they might in a washing machine drum, it’s still a good idea to dry these separately or in a mesh bag.

• Check the care label. If the care instructions expressly indicate not to tumble dry, you'll need to choose an alternative option.

• If your dryer has a drying rack, make sure to use this to prevent unnecessary ‘tumbling’.

• If possible, keep the trainers in place as they dry by using the laces to anchor them on the outside of the dryer door (e.g., use a wooden spoon attached to the laces).

Don’t

• Don’t make the mistake of thinking a higher heat setting will dry the shoes faster - they may come out dry more quickly, but they may be irreparably damaged or even unwearable.

• Don’t overload the machine with too many shoes. Too many bulky trainers may damage your dryer.

• Don’t put the shoes in by themselves; use an old towel to cushion the tumble-drying process. This will help to reduce noise and also reduce the effects of the cycle on your trainers.

• Don’t put delicate fabrics in the dryer. If your trainers have parts made of leather, suede, or high-tech materials, etc, machine drying could affect both the appearance and performance of the shoe.) If you need to dry animal fabrics or specialist materials, always consult the care label or look online for the manufacturer's specific advice. 

Disadvantages Of Using A Dryer

If you can at all avoid putting your trainers in the dryer, it will be safer to use alternative methods. Here are some of the disadvantages of machine-drying your shoes.

Shrinkage

One of the main concerns in drying your shoes in a tumble dryer is that they may shrink. The heat may cause the fabrics to shrink or distort, which can affect the fit of your trainers, which can in turn affect their performance, comfort, fit, and may even lead to blisters.

Shoe damage or disintegration

Modern trainers are often designed as high-performance footwear, with various elements engineered separately and glued together. The heat of a tumble dryer can affect the glue and cause disintegration, which could affect their shape. It may also lead to your trainers starting to fall apart more quickly than they would otherwise.

Machine damage

Although your trainers may survive the dryer cycle, it’s not uncommon for misuse of dryers (especially with shoes) to cause damage to the machine itself, which can be a costly mistake.

Noise

Drying trainers in the dryer is a noisy business! If you’d rather not subject your family or your neighbours to the constant clanking for the duration of the cycle, you’d be better off choosing an alternative option. 

How To Dry Trainers Quickly

It’s best to avoid putting trainers in the tumble dryer - but what if you need them dry quickly?

Here are a number of tips and tricks for getting your wet trainers completely dry and ready to wear ASAP.

Air drying

The ideal option is to air dry shoes, but this is also the method that takes the longest time.

To help the process along, you can hang them up outside so that the air circulates more freely and aids the drying process. This also ensures the soles are not sitting in excess water.

Gentle heat

You can also hang them near a low source of heat, ensuring they’re not too close. It’s not advisable to dry your trainers on a radiator or fan heater, as the heat may damage the shoes, but placing them near a warm, gentle heat will speed up the drying time.

Fan drying

Similarly, you can place the trainers near a fan, which will force more air through the fabric and the body of the shoe, allowing for quicker drying.

One quirky tip is to hang the shoes near the fridge vent, as the air circulation can help to dry out the moisture.

Remember to always avoid using direct heat too close to the shoes. Direct sunlight is also best avoided for colourful trainers, as it can fade the coloured fabric.

The newspaper method

Another tip is to stuff scrunched-up newspaper into the shoe to absorb excess moisture. For extremely wet shoes, you may need to change the newspaper after an hour or so. 

There are risks associated with drying trainers in the tumble dryer, but there’s an easy way to avoid the scenario where you need to dry your shoes quickly. The answer is to clean them without getting them soaking wet.

One of the best ways to do this is to use a special shoe-cleaning tool that reduces the amount of water required. This is why BootBuddy can become your new best friend when it comes to keeping your trainers clean and dry.

Due to the controllable water-delivery system, BootBuddy cleans your trainers without soaking them. This means you get the same results, without the lengthy drying time, or worrying about the potential damage of drying your shoes in the tumble dryer.

You can use BootBuddy with your favourite shoe-cleaning solution and cold water (or warm water), or in conjunction with a foam cleaner - either way, you’ll subject your shoes to less water than immersing them in a full wash, so they’ll be dry so much quicker.

The integrated soft brush-head enables you to remove mud and excess dirt before you wash, making the whole process quicker and easier. BootBuddy is also designed to be highly portable, so that you can take it wherever your trainers take you and perform a quick on-the-go cold wash as required. This will also reduce the need for a time-consuming deep clean that puts your shoes out of action while they dry. 

Clean Trainers - Safe & Dry

Although there are occasions when it’s possible to put your trainers in the washing machine, when it comes to whether or not to put them in the dryer, the smart option is to consider a cleaning method that doesn’t get them as wet in the first place. With BootBuddy, you can keep your trainers looking their best without a full-soak wash, so that they’ll naturally dry more quickly.

With on-the-go cleaning and controlled washing, your trainers will be clean without machine washing, and they'll be dry quicker, without the need for a potentially damaging tumble dry. So, if you want the tool that will help you keep your trainers in prime condition and always ready for your next use, check out the range of BootBuddy shoe-cleaning tools here.