If you are caught in a sudden downpour or walk through water on a weekend hike, you quickly need to remove the wetness from your shoes. The method you use to dry out your valuable footwear can make the difference between restoring them or tossing them in the trash.
Fortunately there are some simple hints to help dry wet leather boots and shoes, and we have sourced a number of products that help you dry your footwear without harming them.
Avoid Direct Heat
It may seem to make sense to place wet shoes in a hot area over a furnace vent or in a clothes dryer to remove water, but this can damage leather severely, removing the leather’s own protective moisture, resulting in cracking and shrinkage. Shoes dried in this manner can become completely unwearable.
Better Solution for Wet Shoes
The preferred method is to towel off exterior moisture and dirt gently and then place the boots or shoes on a mat or towel in a dry, warm area. Stuff the shoes or boots with dry newspapers, paper towels or cotton towels to absorb the majority of the wetness. With boots, make sure they are supported to the top with the paper or fabric. Be patient -- the drying make take a while.
Shoe Saving Products from Valentino Garemi
Invest in shoe trees from our collection; their natural cedar construction aids in absorption of moisture. Placing them inside footwear while they dry also helps keep the shape true. Another moisture-absorber is our Cedar Shoe Freshener which draws out moisture and odors and is just the size to be inserted in a shoe or boot.
Clean and Condition
After all moisture is gone use the proper products to clean and condition your footwear.
