Can You Put Sneakers / Shoes in the Dryer?

Can You Put Sneakers in the Dryer?

It depends on the shoe. Some sneakers — particularly basic canvas styles — can handle a low-heat dryer cycle. Others, including leather shoes, running shoes with foam midsoles, and anything with heat-sensitive adhesives, should never go in the dryer. Getting this wrong can permanently damage or destroy the shoe.

Shoes That Can Go in the Dryer (With Care)

• Canvas sneakers (e.g., basic Converse, Vans canvas styles): Low heat, in a mesh bag, with dryer balls. These handle the dryer reasonably well.
• Fabric athletic shoes without foam midsoles: Low heat only.
• Cloth slippers: Low heat or no heat.

Shoes That Should NOT Go in the Dryer

• Leather shoes and boots: Heat dries out leather, causing cracking and warping. Always air dry.
• Running shoes with foam midsoles: The foam (EVA or similar) warps and compresses permanently under heat, ruining the cushioning and support.
• Shoes with glued soles: Heat melts the adhesive, causing soles to separate. This includes most dress shoes and many casual shoes.
• Shoes with embellishments: Glitter, sequins, and decorative elements melt or detach in the dryer.
• Suede shoes: Heat stiffens and damages suede permanently.
• Shoes with memory foam insoles: Heat breaks down memory foam.

How to Put Sneakers in the Dryer Safely

1. Remove insoles and laces: Dry these separately — insoles dry faster outside the shoe and laces can tangle in the drum.
2. Place in a large mesh laundry bag: The Tenn Well Extra Large Mesh Laundry Bag (43 x 35 inch) is large enough for most shoes and protects both the shoes and the drum from impact damage.
3. Add dryer balls: The Dryer Balls 4 Pack cushion the shoes and reduce the banging noise during tumbling.
4. Set to low heat: Never use medium or high heat for shoes.
5. Run for 20–30 minutes: Check after each short cycle rather than running a full 60-minute cycle.
6. Check and repeat if needed: Remove, check for dampness (especially inside), and run another short cycle if needed.

Better Alternatives to the Dryer for Shoes

For most shoes, these methods are safer and more effective than the dryer:

• Electric shoe dryer: The PEET Original Electric Shoe Dryer uses gentle warm air from inside the shoe — safe for all shoe types including leather and running shoes. Silent, energy-efficient, and dries from the inside out where moisture concentrates.
• Fan drying: Remove insoles, place shoes in front of the Gaiatop Mini Clip Fan with openings facing the airflow. Effective for most shoe types.
• Newspaper stuffing: Crumple newspaper and stuff firmly inside. Replace every 1–2 hours. Gentle and effective for leather and delicate shoes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put Nike or Adidas running shoes in the dryer?

No — running shoes have foam midsoles (EVA or similar) that warp permanently under heat. Use an electric shoe dryer or fan drying instead.

How do I stop shoes from banging in the dryer?

Place them in a large mesh laundry bag and add dryer balls. The bag cushions the impact and the balls absorb some of the noise. Alternatively, hang the laces over the dryer door so the shoes hang inside the drum rather than tumbling freely.

Can I dry shoes in the dryer to kill bacteria and odor?

Low heat does kill some bacteria, but it's not the most effective method and risks damaging the shoe. A better approach is to use a shoe deodorizer spray like the Lumi Shoe Deodorizer Spray after drying — it neutralizes odor-causing bacteria without heat damage.

How long does it take to dry shoes in the dryer?

Canvas sneakers on low heat: 20–40 minutes in short cycles. Check frequently — over-drying causes unnecessary heat exposure.