3 Ways to Stop Shoes from Banging in the Dryer

That horrible thunk-thunk-THUNK of sneakers slamming around in the dryer can make you rethink
ever doing laundry again. Not only is the sound annoying, but all that banging can be hard on your shoes and
your dryer. The good news? With a few simple tricks, you can dry shoes more quietly, more safely, and with much
less drama.

In this guide, you’ll learn three practical ways to stop shoes from banging in the dryer, plus smart
safety tips, alternatives to machine drying, and real-life experiences that will help you avoid wrecked sneakers
and a burned-out dryer motor. It’s basically laundry school for your footwear.

Is It Even Safe to Put Shoes in the Dryer?

Before we get into clever hacks, a quick reality check: many shoe brands and laundry experts say that
air-drying is the safest method for most footwear. High heat and aggressive tumbling can:

• Warp or shrink certain materials (like foam midsoles and synthetic uppers).
• Soften or melt the glue that holds your shoes together.
• Crack rubber, damage leather, and ruin suede or delicate fabrics.
• Put extra strain on your dryer drum and motor.

That doesn’t mean you can never use the dryer; it means you should use it carefully and selectively.
Fabric sneakers, canvas shoes, and some athletic shoes tend to tolerate low-heat or air-fluff cycles better than
leather dress shoes or boots. Always check:

• The care label inside the shoe for “Do not tumble dry” symbols.
• Your dryer manual for instructions about drying shoes or using a shoe rack.

If the label forbids tumble drying, skip the dryer and head straight to the alternative methods section below.
If it’s allowed or not explicitly forbidden, you can move aheadwith caution and a low-heat or air-only setting.

Why Shoes Bang Around in the First Place

The loud banging is mostly about physics, not your dryer being mad at you. Shoes are:

• Heavy and unbalanced: They’re dense items that tumble unevenly.
• Hard on metal: Rubber soles and midsoles slamming against the drum create impact noise.
• Few in number: Toss in just one or two shoes, and they don’t have anything to buffer the blows.

So the trick isn’t only “dry the shoes”it’s control the motion. If you can stop them from tumbling freely
(or cushion the tumbling), you’ll drastically reduce the banging noise and the wear-and-tear.

Way 1: Hang Shoes from the Dryer Door by Their Laces

This is one of the cleverest and quietest hacks to keep shoes from rocketing around the drum. Instead of letting
them tumble, you hang them so they stay against the door while the drum spins behind them.

How to Do It

1. Clean the shoes first
   Knock off loose dirt and, if needed, quickly rinse or wash your shoes according to the care instructions. You don’t
   want mud splattering the inside of your dryer.
2. Remove insoles and loosen laces
   Take out removable insoles and let them air-dry separately. Loosen the laces enough so you can tie them securely.
3. Tie the laces together in a firm knot or bow
   Tie the two lace ends together so the shoes are connected. The knot should be large enough that it won’t slip through
   the gap at the top of the dryer door.
4. Hang the shoes outside the dryer, laces inside
   Open the door and place the shoes so they hang on the outside front of the door, soles facing outward. Dangle the laces
   over the top of the door so the knot is inside the drum.
5. Close the door carefully
   As you close the dryer door, the knot stays inside and the shoes remain pinned against the inner door surface. When the
   drum rotates, the shoes don’t tumblethey stay put.
6. Use a low-heat or air-fluff setting
   Choose “Air Dry,” “No Heat,” or the lowest heat setting available. Dry in short cycles (10–15 minutes) and check progress.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Drastically reduces or eliminates banging noises.
• Less impact on the shoes and on the dryer drum.
• Works especially well for lace-up sneakers and running shoes.

Cons:

• Doesn’t work for slip-ons, boots, or shoes without laces.
• If the knot is too small, the laces might slip into the drum.
• Still not ideal for leather, suede, or shoes with delicate glues.

Way 2: Use a Dryer Rack, Mesh Bag, or Pillowcase

If your dryer came with a removable shoe or drying rack, this is your moment to shine. These racks sit
inside the drum and hold items in place while warm air circulates around them. No tumbling, no banging.

Method A: Dryer Rack

1. Attach the rack according to your dryer’s manual so it stays stable.
2. Place shoes flat on the rack, with laces and insoles removed.
3. Select a low-heat or air-only cycle and run for short intervals, checking periodically.

Because the shoes don’t move, you get quiet drying and less stress on the footwear. It’s one of the most
appliance-friendly options if your dryer supports it.

Method B: Mesh Laundry Bag or Pillowcase

No dryer rack? No problem. A thick cotton pillowcase or sturdy mesh laundry bag can help contain
and cushion the shoes.

1. Bag the shoes
   Place the shoes in a pillowcase or mesh bag. Tie or zip it closed so they can’t escape.
2. Add cushioning
   Toss the bag in with a few clean bath towels. The towels help absorb impact and cut down on noise.
3. Use gentle settings
   Again, low heat or air-fluff is your friend. Check every 10–15 minutes and remove the shoes once they’re just damp,
   then let them finish air-drying.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Greatly reduces banging and scuffing.
• Works for shoes that can’t be hung by laces.
• Multipurpose: the bag or pillowcase can be used for other laundry.

Cons:

• Still some noise, especially with very heavy shoes.
• Pillowcases that are too thin may wear out over time from the weight.

Way 3: Cushion Shoes with Towels for Quieter Tumbling

If your shoes don’t cooperate with hanging tricks and you don’t have a rack, you can at least make them much
quieter by surrounding them with soft, absorbent itemsusually towels.

How to Do It

1. Wrap each shoe individually
   Take a dry bath towel and wrap each shoe tightly, like a little burrito. Use a hair tie, rubber band, or a short
   length of string to secure the towel so it doesn’t unravel.
2. Load the dryer thoughtfully
   Place the wrapped shoes in the dryer with a few additional clean towels. Avoid overloading, but also avoid having
   just two wrapped shoes alone in the drum.
3. Choose a gentle cycle
   Use the lowest heat or an air-only setting. Check every 10–15 minutes; the towels will absorb moisture and soften
   every impact.
4. Finish with air-drying if needed
   Once the shoes are mostly dry, remove them from the towels and let them air-dry completely in a well-ventilated area.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Massively cuts down on banging noise.
• Helps absorb moisture quickly.
• Uses items you already own (no special equipment).

Cons:

• Drying may take a bit longer because towels hold moisture.
• Not ideal for very delicate or dressy shoes.

Important Safety and Care Tips

1. Avoid High Heat

High heat is the enemy of shoe glue, foam, and certain plastics. Always favor “Low,” “Delicate,” “Air Dry,” or
“No Heat” settings. Dry longer at low temperatures instead of blasting your sneakers with high heat for a short time.

2. Don’t Dry Certain Materials in the Dryer

Skip the dryer entirely for:

• Leather shoes and boots
• Suede shoes
• Shoes with a lot of rubber or glued-on details
• Anything labeled “Do not tumble dry”

3. Remove Insoles and Laces

Insoles can warp, and laces can shrink or tangle. Take them out and let them air-dry separately. This also helps
shoes dry faster and more evenly.

4. Don’t Overload the Dryer

Cramming in too many shoes and towels can make the dryer work harder, generate more noise, and even risk damage.
Give everything room to move and breathe.

Quiet Alternatives: How to Dry Shoes Without a Dryer

If you decide that even quiet methods still feel risky for your favorite pair, try these dryer-free options:

• Stuff with newspaper or paper towels: Replace once the paper is soaked. This pulls moisture out of
  the interior surprisingly fast.
• Use a fan or dehumidifier: Place shoes in front of a fan or in a small room with a dehumidifier
  for several hours.
• Use a dedicated shoe dryer: These low-heat devices are designed specifically to dry footwear safely.
• Dry near (not on) a vent: Put shoes near an air vent or radiatornot directly on topto avoid
  excessive heat.

These methods are virtually silent, gentler on materials, and still reasonably quick for everyday life.

Real-Life Experiences: What Actually Works Day-to-Day

Advice is greatbut how do these methods hold up when you’re staring at a pair of soaked sneakers and a ticking clock?
Here are some experience-based insights that can help you choose the right strategy for your situation.

When You’re in a Rush: Game-Day Sneakers

Imagine this: your kid’s sports shoes are soaked from a rainy practice, and the next game is tomorrow morning. You
don’t have 24 hours to let them air-dry peacefully. In this scenario, hanging the shoes from the dryer door
using the laces is often the best compromise between speed and safety.

Because the shoes stay in place and don’t slam against the drum, they dry more quietly while still getting the
benefit of moving warm air. You run two or three short cycles on low heat, checking each time. Once they’re barely
damp, you switch to air-drying overnight in front of a fan. By morning, they’re dry, reasonably fresh, and still the
same shape.

For Everyday Gym Shoes: Towels + Mesh Bag Combo

If you regularly wash your gym shoes and want a sustainable system, the mesh bag or pillowcase plus towels
method is a quiet workhorse. Many people find that wrapping or bagging the shoes, tossing them in with a
few towels, and using a low-heat setting creates a nice balance:

• The towels absorb extra moisture and soften every impact.
• The bag prevents abrasion marks and keeps laces contained.
• The sound is more of a rhythmic “whoosh” than a chaotic banging concert.

Over time, you’ll get a feel for how long your particular shoes need. Lightweight running shoes might be nearly dry
after 20–30 minutes, while chunkier trainers might need a bit longer and a finishing session of air drying.

When You Really Love the Shoes: Skip the Dryer

Everyone has that one pair: the expensive running shoes that finally molded perfectly to your feet or the limited-edition
sneakers you had to hunt down. For those, many seasoned shoe owners adopt a simple rule:
if I’d be heartbroken to ruin them, I don’t risk the dryer at all.

Instead, they rely on:

• Newspaper or paper towel stuffing (changed once it’s saturated).
• A fan or small blower pointed directly at the shoes.
• A dehumidifier in a small bathroom or closet.

It might take a bit longer, but the payoff is maximizing the lifespan and performance of shoes that matter most.

Dryer Noise vs. Household Sanity

There’s also the “peace and quiet” factor. If you’ve ever tried to dry shoes at 10 p.m. in an apartment, you already
know that raw shoe-on-drum noise is not neighbor-friendly. That’s where the towel-wrapping method shines.

Wrapping each shoe in a towel and securing it cuts down the sharp clunking sound so much that the dryer noise blends
into typical laundry hum. This can be the difference between “no one notices” and “why is the building shaking?”

What People Regret Doing

When people look back at shoe-drying disasters, the regrets are pretty consistent:

• Using a high-heat setting “just this once.”
• Throwing in leather or suede shoes “because they were soaked anyway.”
• Drying shoes alone in the drum with no towels or bags, leading to loud banging and internal damage.
• Leaving shoes unattended for a full cycle and discovering shrunk, warped, or separated soles.

The pattern is clear: impatience plus high heat usually equals regret. Gentle settings, short cycles, and cushioning
methods are how you avoid joining the “I ruined my favorite shoes in the dryer” club.

Final Thoughts

Stopping shoes from banging in the dryer is really about controlling how they move and how much heat they get.
Hang them from the door, secure them in a rack or bag, or wrap them in towelsand always favor low or no heat. For
your most precious pairs, skip the dryer altogether and use fans, newspaper, or a shoe dryer.

With these three methods and the extra tips above, you can keep your shoes cleaner, your dryer happier, and your home
blissfully free of late-night sneaker percussion.