Wet shoes can be a nightmare, especially during the winter months, but there’s a surprisingly effective method to dry them quickly without causing damage or warping.
Whether caught in unexpected rain or dealing with snow-soaked footwear, many people make the costly mistake of placing their shoes directly on radiators or using hairdryers, which can cause irreversible damage.
These methods often lead to shrunken leather, cracked materials, and weakened glue, ultimately shortening the lifespan of your favourite shoes. However, experts at Lottomart have shared a “game-changing” technique that dries shoes fast while preserving their shape.
They explained: “The key to drying shoes quickly is understanding that you need to draw moisture out, not blast it with heat. This simple newspaper method costs virtually nothing and works on all shoe types, from trainers to leather boots.”
The first crucial step is to remove the insoles if your shoes have them, as they dry much faster separately and prevent moisture from being trapped inside.
Next, loosely crumple newspaper into airy balls – avoid compressing them tightly as you want to maintain airflow within the shoe. If you’re using microfibre cloths instead, fold them loosely rather than stuffing them in.
“Pack the shoes so the absorbent material touches the inside lining, but the shoe still holds its natural shape,” advised Lottomart. “Overstuffing can stretch the material, while too little won’t absorb enough moisture.”
Here’s the step most people miss: after 30 to 60 minutes, swap out the damp newspaper or cloth for fresh, dry material. This second change is critical for achieving overnight drying results.
Once you’ve replaced the absorbent material, position the shoes near a radiator, heater, or in a warm airing cupboard – close enough to benefit from the warmth but not touching the heat source directly.
They added: “Within 8 to 12 hours, your shoes should be completely dry and ready to wear. This gentle approach not only speeds up drying time but also prevents the damage caused by direct heat exposure.”
The fibres in newspaper and microfibre cloths literally pull moisture out of the shoe lining through tiny channels in the material.
While direct heat from sitting shoes on a radiator or blasting them with a hairdryer can shrink leather, crack synthetic materials, or weaken the adhesives holding shoes together, gentle indirect heat preserves structural integrity.
The warmth from a nearby heat source accelerates evaporation without subjecting the materials to damaging temperatures that can warp shape or cause permanent damage.
This cost-effective solution is particularly valuable during wet winter months when shoes need frequent drying, offering a safe alternative to expensive shoe dryers or risky heat exposure that could ruin your footwear.