If you’ve just finished a vigorous session of beach volleyball, or maybe a splashy jaunt through a river rapids, you may be wondering how to properly dry your wet sport sandals. After all, you won’t be able to get the most out of them until they’re completely dry. The good news is that drying wet sport sandals can be done relatively easily and quickly. Here’s all you need to know to have your sandals looking and smelling like new in no time.
Benefits of Drying Sport Sandals
Drying wet sport sandals isn’t just about getting rid of the excess moisture. It’s also about protecting your sandals from damage, as many sport sandal materials and structures can degrade if left wet for too long. Better still, drying your sandals helps eliminate any cloth-eating or skin-irritating agents (mold, mildew, and bacteria, for instance) that might be hanging around after your adventures.
In addition to the health benefits of drying your sandals, it can also help to extend the life of your sandals. By removing moisture and allowing the sandals to dry completely, you can help prevent the material from breaking down and the sandals from becoming misshapen. This can help you get more wear out of your sandals and save you money in the long run.
What You Will Need to Dry Your Sport Sandals
Depending on the materials of your sandals, you may need some specialized tools and supplies to dry them properly. Here are the basic items you may need:
- Soft cloths
- Cleaning brush (e.g. a soft-bristled toothbrush)
- Paper towels
- Air dryer/blow dryer (the cooler setting is preferable)
- Leather conditioner (for leather sports sandals)
- Plastic baggies (for waterproofing treatment)
Having these materials ready can make your drying process much smoother and faster.
Steps to Dry Your Wet Sport Sandals
With your supplies ready, it’s time to get down to business! Here’s what you need to do:
- Take out any insoles or cushion inserts and set them aside.
- Gently shake off any excess water from the sandals and brush off dirt or sand.
- Wipe the sandals with warm, damp paper towels or cloths.
- Dry the sandals off with a blow dryer on the cooler setting.
- (Optional) For leather sport sandals, treat them with a leather conditioner.
- (Optional) For waterproof sport sandals, treat them with a waterproofing treatment and store them in plastic baggies to protect from moisture.
- Allow the sandals to air dry away from direct sunlight or extreme temperatures.
Following these steps should have your sport sandals dry, clean, and in perfect shape. The entire process should take around 10 minutes maximum.
Tips for Drying Wet Sport Sandals Quickly and Easily
Here are a few tips to help you dry your wet sport sandals quickly and easily:
- Wipe, don’t soak: Avoid submerging your sport sandals in water for too long. This can shrink the materials and/or ruin the shape of the shoes.
- Take it slow: Move the blowdryer slowly over all parts of the sandals in order to spread out the heat effectively.
- Be gentle: Use gentle motions when drying or cleaning fabric areas, as repeated scrubbing may damage their integrity.
- Don’t rush: With some patience and a steady hand, you can achieve a perfect dry without any problems.
Potential Problems with Drying Wet Sports Sandals
There are a few potential problems involved when drying wet sports sandals. Materials like leather, for instance, may suffer discoloration or cracking if not dried correctly. Removable cushions can also shrink if left in direct heat for too long. To avoid these issues, make sure you use the correct drying techniques for the type of shoes you own.
Troubleshooting Common Issues when Drying Wet Sport Sandals
If you run into problems while drying your wet sport sandals, try these troubleshooting techniques to get back on track:
- Check weather conditions: High humidity or other adverse weather conditions can greatly prolong the drying time of your sport sandals.
- Use a fan: You can use a fan to help speed up the drying process if needed.
- Change the heat settings: If your sport sandals are taking too long to dry, you might need to adjust the heat setting on the hair dryer.
Further Resources for Drying Wet Sport Sandals
If you still need help with drying wet sport sandals, here are some further resources that may be helpful:
