Tall Mens Fashion Advice

Can you put Shoes in the Dryer: No, Here is Why!

Learn how to dry your shoes and if they can be put in the dryer.

Can you put Shoes in the Dryer?

Tumble Dry Low

No, you should not be putting your shoes in the dryer. Using a dryer, instead of letting air dry for half-a-day to a day, will put stress on your shoes that they will not be able to withstand. The hot air will will melt parts of the shoes fabric and plastic. And the constant tumbling will eventually tear apart the seams. It is better to let your shoes air dry.

This is Can you put Shoes in the Dryer: No, Here is Why!

The quickest way to ruin an outfit is to put on a pair of dirty shoes.

I am going to help you wash your shoes, understand how to dry them and then show you the best ways to style your shoes.

Before you dry your shoes, you must first wash them (wash your shoelaces also at this time). If you’ve gotten stains on your shoes or they are just overdue for a good cleaning, these articles below will take you step by step in caring for them.

Can you put Shoes in the Dryer?

No, you do not want to put your shoes into the dryer. Using a dryer to dry your sneaker has too high of a risk of altering the shoe’s fabric, making it warp and stretch. The heat (learn how hot does a dryer get) and constant tumbling will put stress on your shoes that they were not made to endure.

I would only suggest you use a dryer when using an old pair of shoes, and making sure the tumble dry setting is low. Where changing the look and feel of the shoe is not a negative outcome in your use of them.

Instead of using a dryer, you want to air dry your shoes. Let our articles below help you choose whats best for your living situation.

How to Dry Shoes in the Dryer

If you choose to use a dryer, follow these steps to give yourself the best chance of not ruining the shoe completely. Know how to user a dryer properly also.

1. Check the care label

The care label is inside the tongue of your shoe. The manufacturer will add instructions here in case there are washing and drying procedures that will harm your shoes.

This is Tall Paul checking the care label on his nike dunks

2. Remove dirt and debris

Dampen a rag, towel or an old pair of boxers and wipe down the entire outer shell of your shoe. Do not be afraid to use some force to get into the small cracks if you see dirt there.

This is tall paul wiping dirt and debris from his nike dunks with a towel

3. Stuff the shoes

Stuff your shoes with socks, underwear, towels or any other fabric you have laying around that can be bunched up. It is best to use an old piece of fabric or clothing.

This is a pair of nike dunks being stuffed with socks so they can be put in the dryer

4. Use a mesh laundry bag

This is an important step to follow. If you do not have a mesh bag, I suggest you let your shoes air dry instead.

This is a pair of nike dunks filled with socks being put into a mesh laundry bag

5. Fill the dryer

Fill the dryer so the shoes do not rattle around and damage the inside of the dryer. Throw in fabric and clothing garments that are old or can take a beating from the shoes hitting them over and over. Hoodies, towels, sweaters and old t-shirts are great for this.

This is a photo of a full dryer used to dry your shoes

6. Air dry

You can also put the shoes into your dryer on the tumble dry low setting, if you are in a rush to use the shoes.

This is tall paul changing the setting on his dryer to delicates

7. Keep checking on your shoes

If your shoes are in the dryer for too long of a period after they have been sufficiently dry, they will warp. To stop this from happening, and ruining your shoe, be sure to check in every 15 minutes to start, and as they shoes get dryer make this time shorter.

This is tall paul checking on his shoes as they are being dryed in the dryer

Read our complete guide on how to dry shoes in the dryer for a more in-depth look.

And now that you have crisp looking shoe that is washed and dried find your perfect outfit to pair them with.

Can you put Shoes in the Dryer FAQ

Do not dry your shoes in the dryer because it will most likely damage them. Instead, stuff your shoes with newspaper and lay them flat to dry on top of the dryer while it is on with other clothes in it.

Your shoes can shrink, warp and fall apart at the seam in the dryer. The heat from the drying machine plus the tumbling, will put a lot of stress on your shoe that it was not made for.

Written and reviewed by
Tall Paul
Tall Paul
Paul Marlow, standing at an impressive 6'7 (201cm) and weighing 225lb (102kg), is a mental health speaker, fashion expert, and ex-athlete who excels at helping tall men find well-fitting clothing and teaching them how to style it effectively. As a model in the fashion and film industries, Paul shares his expertise in tall men's fashion, offering valuable advice on measurements, tailoring, and alterations. In addition, he founded Never Alone, an organization that provides mental health and therapy inspiration, and started the Mental Growth Newsletter to support those facing mental health challenges, drawing from his own experiences.

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