One of the most common inconveniences during long periods of wet and humid weather is that shoes easily become soaked, damaged, moldy, or smelly. To help you deal with this situation quickly, here are two effective methods to dry your shoes fast, along with several tips to prevent them from getting wet in the rain.

1. Quick-Drying Shoes With an Electric Fan

Before you start, make sure to check the material of your shoes. This method works best for synthetic leather, canvas, and sports shoes. It is not recommended for suede, as strong airflow may affect the delicate surface of the material.

First, wipe your shoes clean with a damp cloth. After walking in the rain, shoes often accumulate mud and dirt, and drying them without cleaning may leave stains and unpleasant odors.

Next, prepare a metal clothes hanger made of aluminum or steel. Cut and bend the upper part into small hooks that can support your shoes. If you have steel wire at home, you can also bend it into an S-shape to create convenient drying hooks.

Attach the hooks securely to the front grill of the electric fan, then hang your shoes onto the hooks. Make sure to remove the insoles and loosen the shoelaces completely—this helps air circulate more easily and reduces drying time.

Turn the fan to medium speed and allow the shoes to dry for 1–2 hours, or longer if they are heavily soaked. The constant airflow helps moisture evaporate quickly while preventing heat damage that can occur with dryers or direct sunlight.

2. Drying Shoes With Newspaper

This method is especially suitable for leather and suede shoes, which require gentle care to maintain their shape and surface quality. When selecting newspaper, avoid pages with heavy ink or large images, as the color may transfer onto the shoe—particularly on light-colored materials.

Begin by cleaning the shoes with a damp cloth to remove dirt and debris. Then crumple sheets of newspaper into small balls and stuff them firmly into the toe box. Continue filling the inside until the entire interior is packed. For the outer surface, wrap the entire shoe with large sheets of newspaper to absorb additional moisture.

Place the shoes upside down in a dry corner of the room. After about an hour, check the newspaper; if it becomes wet, replace it with a fresh layer. Repeat this process 2–3 times. When done, your shoes will be dry, odor-free, and still maintain their original shape thanks to the supportive structure of the newspaper.

This is one of the safest and most natural methods for drying shoes without using heat.

3. Tips to Prevent Shoes From Getting Wet During Rainy Weather

Wet shoes not only feel uncomfortable but also create ideal conditions for bacteria and fungi to grow, which may lead to infections such as athlete’s foot or paronychia (inflammation around the nails). For people with joint issues, or those who easily catch colds, wearing damp footwear can worsen symptoms. To minimize the chances of getting your shoes wet during rainy days, try these helpful tips:

• Use waterproof shoe covers made from durable nylon. These covers are inexpensive, reusable, and offer excellent protection against water when you need to walk in the rain.

• Create a waterproof layer with beeswax or white candle wax. Simply warm a small amount of wax using a hairdryer until it softens, then apply it evenly to the surface of canvas or fabric shoes. Heat it again to melt the wax into the fibers. This invisible layer provides surprisingly good water resistance.

• Use sanitary pads as moisture absorbers. Place a pad inside your shoe’s insole when you know you’ll be walking on wet ground. It absorbs water and helps keep your feet dry for much longer—an unconventional but very practical trick.