Why You Shouldn’t Put Shoes in the Dryer

What we’ve learned from experience at from our laundry service

Drying your shoes in the dryer might seem like a quick and easy solution—especially after a rainy day or a messy hike—but it’s something we always advise against. At our laundry store, we’ve seen firsthand the kind of damage this can cause, and we want to help you avoid making the same mistake.

Heat Damage Is Real

Most shoes aren’t designed to withstand the high heat and tumbling action of a dryer. We’ve seen shoes come out misshapen, with warped soles and separated glue seams. The rubber parts, especially on athletic shoes, are particularly vulnerable. Heat can cause them to crack, shrink, or peel—damaging not just how your shoes look, but how they perform.

Tangled Laces and Drum Damage

Another common issue is shoelaces getting caught in the dryer drum. Our dryers, like many commercial machines, have a metal mesh interior. Laces can easily slip into the gaps, causing loud clanking noises, damaging the shoes, and even scraping the drum itself. It’s noisy, messy, and definitely not worth the risk.

That Viral Dryer Door Hack? Think Twice

Lately, we’ve seen tips on social media suggesting you hang shoes by their laces inside the dryer door to avoid tumbling. While it might look clever, we don’t recommend this method either. Hanging shoes in one spot exposes just one side of the shoe to intense, direct heat. This uneven drying can lead to discoloration, warping, and faster wear and tear—especially for shoes with synthetic materials.

Our Preferred Method: Air Drying

For our wash and fold customers, we always air dry shoes. We avoid direct sunlight and place the shoes in shaded, well-ventilated areas indoors. While air drying takes longer, it’s the safest and gentlest way to preserve the structure and materials of your shoes. To help speed things up, we often use a fan to keep the air moving without applying any heat.

Special Materials Need Special Care

If your shoes are made of suede, leather, or other delicate materials, we highly recommend bringing them to a professional cleaner. These materials require special care to avoid shrinking, staining, or permanent damage.

Take It From Us

We get it—waiting for shoes to dry naturally takes patience. But when it comes to keeping your shoes looking and feeling great, it’s worth the extra time. Trust us, your soles will thank you

If you are looking for a wash and fold service that can help wash your shoes properly in Long Beach, Seal Beach, Signal Hill, Belmont Shore feel free to check out our store. Coco Laundry is here to help, one pair of shoes at a time.