Can you put shoes in a tumble dryer? Short answer: no. Air drying is the only method we recommend. Tumble drying is the fastest way to wreck a pair of shoes, and it rarely saves the time it costs you.
Why you should not put shoes in a tumble dryer
Two things happen inside a tumble dryer that shoes cannot survive intact:
- Heat softens the glue. The adhesive that bonds the upper to the sole starts to break down at the high heat a dryer puts out (around 50 to 70°C). Once it softens, the bond never fully recovers and the sole begins to peel.
- Tumbling warps the shape. The rotational force throws the shoes against the drum over and over. Heels collapse, toe boxes crease and soles curl upward. By the time the cycle finishes the surface can look fine while the structure is already compromised.
There is a third cost most people forget: your machine. Shoes thumping around a hot drum is hard on the dryer's bearings and can crack the drum paddles. You risk the shoes and the appliance in one cycle.
What about the no-heat or air-dry setting?
Some dryers have a no-heat, air-only cycle, and it is fair to ask whether that is safer. It removes the heat problem but not the tumbling problem: the shoes still get thrown against the drum, which is what warps the shape and stresses the seams. If your dryer has a rack accessory that holds items still while warm air passes over them, that is the only dryer setup we would consider, and even then keep it on cool or air-only. For most people, a drying rack and a fan does the same job with zero risk.
The right way to dry shoes after the washing machine
- Take the shoes out of the kit as soon as the wash cycle ends. Do not leave them sitting wet in the drum.
- Insert the shoe trees that come with the kit. They hold the shape while the materials dry and stop the toe box creasing.
- If they are heavily soaked, stuff them with paper towel or a clean dry cloth and replace it once it is damp. This pulls moisture from the inside out.
- Place them on a drying rack in a well-ventilated room, in indirect light. Never direct sunlight, which yellows white materials.
- Allow 12 to 24 hours depending on humidity. Thicker runners and canvas high-tops sit at the longer end.
How to dry shoes faster, without heat
If you are short on time, speed it up with airflow rather than heat. Open a window. Point a fan on low at the shoes from a short distance. Swap their position every few hours so both sides dry evenly. Do not rest them on a heater or radiator, and do not use a hair dryer on a hot setting. Both bring back the same glue and shape problems as the tumble dryer.
White runners need one extra bit of care, because drying in direct sun is the most common cause of yellowing. Our guide on how to wash white runners without yellowing covers it.
The full 5-step wash and dry method is in our Care Guide.