How to dry soaked shoes?
In autumn and winter, we usually wear boots, wellingtons and other footwear that is resistant to moisture and snow. It is often the case that mornings are fine and the sun is shining. But a few hours later, when we've already been at work, school or on a walk, the weather suddenly breaks and it starts to rain or snow. Then it usually turns out that our styling is not well adapted to the weather conditions, to which shoes are particularly exposed.
Unfortunately, shoes cannot be protected by an umbrella. In addition, there are usually puddles on the roads. Soaked shoes are a problem that can affect any of us, even regardless of the season. Here are some tips on how to dry your shoes without damaging them.
How do I dry my shoes? What is best avoided?
Rain, snow or even morning dew can make the inside of our shoes damp. When this happens to us, we're often desperate for any available heat source in the house. A radiator, electric heater, hairdryer or fan seems like a great idea. Unfortunately, these devices are as poor a solution to the situation as the oven or microwave. They deliver too strong a heat stream, which is not neutral to the material and shape of the footwear. It is then the aggressive drying that causes damage to the shoes, not the soaking itself. Even the sturdiest pair of shoes can become discoloured and out of shape as a result of prolonged contact with a radiator. One evening is enough for the soles to crack and the seams to lose their flexibility. Soaked shoes are much better off air-drying. However, even after several hours of drying on a sunny balcony or terrace, our favourite boots may still be damp. So, how to dry shoes inside?
How to dry shoes inside?
The process should start with lacing up, if the problem concerns tied shoes. Thanks to this we will be sure that they will dry on their whole surface. Additionally, in order for soaked leather shoes to keep their shape, they should be filled with something. Newspapers are best for this purpose. They will not only tighten the upper well, but also absorb moisture. It is especially important in case of soaked suede shoes, which can easily shrink during drying. What is important, when using this method it is best to avoid using coloured or varnished newspapers, as there is a high risk that they will stain the inside of the shoe. Other materials which are characterised by equally good hygroscopic properties are rice and toilet paper. As in the case of newspapers, they will absorb excess moisture from the shoes well. However, remember to change these fillings regularly. It is best to do it every 2-3 hours.
How do I rescue soaked suede shoes?
In case of leather shoes or soaked suede shoes, it is worth rubbing a small amount of castor oil into them from time to time during drying. This substance is a very effective treatment for leather goods. It costs a penny and definitely helps to keep leather shoes in the best possible condition. First of all, it helps to soften leather and protects shoes from moisture and adverse effects of salt in winter. Moreover, it prevents creasing and cracking of leather. When drying boots, a very good idea to keep them in shape is to put an empty mineral water bottle inside. This will prevent the upper from bending and permanent crease marks from forming on it.
Ways to dry soaked shoes
We already know how to dry our shoes inside. What remains to be decided is where best to do it. You can use the terrace, balcony or garden. But remember to avoid exposing your shoes to direct sunlight. Not only can the form of the shoes be distorted as a result of sunlight, but we can also get ugly 'patterns' in the form of discoloration or yellowish marks. The best solution is to leave shoes in a dry and warm place, away from the radiator or direct sunlight. The safest conditions for drying shoes is room temperature. Especially in summer, we can take advantage of favourable weather conditions by drying soaked leather shoes. Although this method of drying takes longer than, for example, using a dryer or a radiator, we do not have to worry about changing the shape of our shoes.
In addition, we can keep our shoes in shape by using special shoe hangers. A shoe hanger is a kind of dryer which has specially shaped arms, on which we can put the bodies of our shoes in such a way that they can hang stably in an upright position. Thanks to this, we will provide shoes with proper ventilation and we will take care of their unchanged shape. Shoe hangers are also a very good idea for storing shoes. They give us the opportunity to keep our favourite pairs of shoes in good condition. Stable placement on the hangers means that the shoes do not get damaged. What's more, they don't take up a lot of space in the wardrobe and also don't create a mess in the hallway of our house or flat.