Yes, you can dry certain types of shoes in a machine, but with some important considerations.
Drying Shoes in a Machine: What You Need to Know
While it might be tempting to toss all your footwear into the dryer, it's crucial to be selective and careful. Here's a breakdown:
Suitable Shoes for Machine Drying
- Cotton and Canvas Sneakers: These are generally the most suitable for machine drying.
- Shoes with Minimal Glue: Avoid drying shoes with a lot of glued parts, as the heat could cause them to come apart.
Dryer Settings and Methods
- Low Heat: Always use a low heat setting to prevent damage to your shoes. High heat can warp the soles, melt glue, or shrink materials.
- Drying Rack: Some dryers have a special drying rack specifically designed for shoes. This is the best option if available.
- Hanging by Laces: If your dryer doesn't have a rack, you can hang shoes by their laces from the dryer door. This keeps them from tumbling around and potentially damaging the machine or the shoes.
In summary, here is a quick table:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Suitable Shoe Types | Cotton, canvas sneakers (low glue content) |
| Heat Setting | Low |
| Drying Method | Use a dryer rack (if available), or hang shoes by laces |
| Shoes to Avoid Drying | Shoes with a lot of glue, leather shoes, delicate materials, athletic shoes |
Key Considerations
- Damage: Be aware that even with proper settings, there's a risk of damage.
- Material: Avoid drying leather, suede, or delicate shoes as they are prone to damage.
- Time: It may take multiple cycles to fully dry shoes.
Reference: Some dryers have a drying rack designed to dry shoes but this will only work for certain shoe types, such as cotton or canvas sneakers. You'll also need to ensure you use a low heat setting to avoid damaging your shoes. If your dryer doesn't have a drying rack, you can hang the shoes from the door by the laces. (13-Sept-2021)
