The best methods how to dry work boots are by using a fan, newspaper, towels, the sun, rice, a boot dryer, or a drying room.

Wet work boots not only create discomfort but can also lead to athlete’s foot or trench foot.

Neglecting wet work boots cuts your boots’ lifespan considerably.

Rather than expose yourself to avoidable health risks and unnecessary expenses, think twice the next time you feel the urge to put your boots on and go dancing in the rain!

Instead, stay indoors and read up on how to dry your work boots.

Our experienced editorial group at MyBestWorkBoots works hard conducting in-depth investigations to bring you the scoop on industry trends.

Thus, we’ve put together this precise manual of how best to dry your work boots.

Let’s get into it.

Easy Ways to Dry Your Work Boots Fast

Preparation

In preparation to clean your boots, it’s important to remember to start early, clean your boots, and remove the insole and laces.

Start Early

Start as early as possible to begin drying your boots; as soon as you return from your shift at work, begin drying your boots to provide optimal drying time throughout the evening.

Clean Your Work Boots

Clean your boots thoroughly before you begin the drying process, removing all traces of dirt and mud. 

This is because leaving dirt on the boots when drying them may result in a permanent stain on the surface.

Leaving dirt on your boots while drying them also lowers your boots’ longevity.

Remove the Insole

Remove the insoles of your work boots if possible; this lets each insole dry more effectively. 

Also, by removing the insoles, air can travel throughout the shoes and reach the hidden portions, allowing the entire boot to dry more easily. 

A removable insole should be available in many high-quality walking boots.

Remove the Laces

Remove the laces before you dry your boots, even if this may be an inconvenience because this makes your boots dry quicker. 

Laces will be able to dry better separately, and air will be more likely to reach sections of the shoes that the laces normally conceal.

7 Easy Methods to Dry Your Work Boots Fast

The 7 easy methods to dry your work boots fast are using a fan, newspaper, towels, the sun, rice, a boot dryer, or a dry room.

Let’s unpack these in more detail.

Using a Fan

Using a fan is widely recognized as one of the most effective and secure ways of drying your work boots overnight. 

The steps to follow to dry your boots using a fan are:

• Ideally, use a non-heated fan with a long stand. 
• Then, fasten your boots to the fan; you’ll require a cable that can hook onto the fan’s exterior and the shoes. 
• Place a cloth under your boots to absorb any water droplets while they dry. 
• It’s best to leave the fan running overnight if possible.

Alternatively

To dry work boots using a warm (NOT hot) fan, follow these steps:

1. Position your boots in front of a desk or chair; be careful to place a waterproof barrier between your boots and the surface they are placed on.
2. Set up a desk fan to circulate warm air inside your wet boot. 
3. Repeat this technique until all of the water has evaporated from the boot.

Warmer air rises higher than cooler air, so your boots should be put in front of something that blows warm air upwards into the shoes. 

Using Newspaper

Using a newspaper to dry your boots is one of the more convenient methods as the newspaper is always freely available in most cases. 

The steps to follow to dry your boots using newspaper are:

1. Collect a couple of sheets of newspaper.
2. Wrap your already removed insole in the newspaper.
3. Take a few sheets of newspaper, crunch them up, then stuff them into the boots. 
4. Ensure that there is no space inside the boots and that all the available space is stuffed with newspaper.
5. Next, cover your boots in several layers of newspaper.
6. Replace the newspapers every 1-2 hours until the boots are completely dry.

Using Towels

Using towels to dry your work boots allows the excess water in your boots to be soaked up by the towels. 

It’s similar to the newspaper method.

It is better to use old towels for this procedure, as you may expect!

The steps to follow to dry your boots using towels are:

1. Collect five dry towels.
2. Wrap the already removed insoles in a towel.
3. Insert two towels into each boot.
4. Wrap one towel separately over each boot.
5. Place the wrapped boots in front of a fan or in the sun to dry.

Using the Sun

Using the sun to dry your work boots is the most natural and accessible method.

Why not take advantage of the sun, which is free and effective?

The steps to follow to dry your boots using the sun are:

1. Place your boots outside on a surface that receives direct sunlight.
2. The sun’s beams evaporate moisture and eliminate germs that promote bacterial growth.

The biggest disadvantage of sun drying is the amount of time it takes. It’s not the quickest method.

One disadvantage of this method is that you’re subject to changes in the weather.

It’s advised not to rely on this method all the time.

Be warned

If your boots are not sufficiently maintained, excessive sun exposure might harm the leather¹ substance.

Using Rice 

Using rice to dry your work boots is a simple method, but it takes time.

The steps to follow to dry your boots using rice in a sock are:

1. Take a rice container.
2. Make sure the rice level inside the container is at least three inches high so that your boots can be completely submerged in the rice.
3. Also, make sure the container is big enough to fit your boots inside it.
4. Place your boots inside the rice container.
5. Ensure that the boots have been completely immersed in the rice and that some rice has been poured inside the boots.
6. Store the boots in the container for at least two days.
7. Take your boots out and check to see if they have dried.
8. If not, re-insert them into the container and check after a day. Repeat this step until dry.

Using a Boot Dryer

Using a boot dryer² to dry your work boots is a more professional and effective way to get your boots dried fast.

A boot dryer will dry your boots in minutes. It’s a simple procedure that will save you hours. 

The steps to follow to dry your boots using a boot dryer are:

1. Use your hands to open your boots wide. 
2. Place your boots on a towel that has been folded lengthwise in half or quarters.
3. Continue with the next steps while the towels are still in place.
4. These towels will be wrapped around your boots to help them dry faster and more evenly.
5. Turn on your boot drier, which should be about 6-10 feet away from where you’ll put the boots. 
6. Place the boot in the dryer and swiftly close the door.
7. The dryer has a timer that will turn itself off when a specified time has passed. Set a timer for at least 30 minutes for the best results!
8. Dry your boots in the dryer until they are completely dry. 
9. We recommend leaving your shoes in your shoebox after they have been dried because excess moisture can cause mold and mildew to grow if they are stored in high humidity environments.
10. Remove your boots from the towels and give them a quick scrub with a little brush and water to re-seal them. They should be well-polished and ready to wear.

You can now return to work in hours rather than the time it would normally take to dry your boots.

You can wrap these towels as many times as you like around your boots.

Check that they are fully clean and smooth (no stains or wrinkles).

You will most likely leave stains on your boots if they are not clean. 

Take note

It’s recommended that you use a boot dryer outside, preferably on grass. 

Place it on a hard surface such as wood or tile if you use it indoors. 

Some people prefer not to wrap their boots in towels.

It all depends on how much time you have available and how badly your boots need to be dried.

Using a Dry Room

Using a dry room³ is another effective way to dry your work boots. 

You will need an air-drying room to place your boots in while they dry.

The steps to follow to dry your boots using a dry room are:

1. Place your boots in a dry room.
2. Allow them to dry out.
3. Take them out of the dry room when they’re done drying.

2 Pro Tips When Drying Your Work Boots

The 2 pro tips to use when drying your work boots are sanitizing and conditioning them. 

Let’s get into these.

Sanitizing Your Work Boots

Sanitizing your work boots destroys any bacteria or fungus that may be present.

Wet environments are breeding grounds for fungus⁴, which causes various bacterial illnesses in the feet and toes, including fungal infections, athlete’s foot⁵, and others. 

As a result, it is critical to sterilize your boots with shoe sanitizer.

Conditioning Your Work Boots

Conditioning your work boots is a sure way to restore some of the vitality that gets lost during normal wear and tear.

The fabric of your boots loses its luster after cleaning and drying.

To restore the shine, it’s critical to condition the boots with a homemade conditioner or a quality commercial conditioner designed for boots.

What Should You Avoid When Drying Your Work Boots?

What you should avoid when drying your work boots are:

• Use direct heat.
• Use a tumble dryer.
• Wet dog odor
• Bacteria
• Dampness
• Scented liquids
• Dry out

Let’s investigate these in more detail.

Using Direct Heat

Using direct heat to dry your work boots is discouraged as direct heat can devastatingly affect your work boots.

The best and safest method is to dry your boots without direct heat. 

Your work boots should not be placed directly in front of or near a heater, wood burner, or bonfire.

This is primarily because excessive heat can damage the outside of your boots, such as glue or other components that hold your boots together. 

Using a Tumble Dryer

Using a tumble dryer to dry your boots is a hard no!

The dryer’s heat will destroy your boots, dry them out and possibly make them lose their shape.

Shoes of any kind should not be dried in the tumble dryer; rather, use alternative methods to dry your boots. 

Wet Dog Odor

To avoid a wet dog odor in your work boots, blot the water out of your boots with a towel before putting them in a boot dryer.

Bacteria

Avoid bacteria⁶ in your work boots by allowing your boots to air dry naturally.

Lay them in front of a sunny window or door for an hour or two before putting them in a boot dryer. 

Sunlight will naturally eliminate any bacteria remaining within your boots from sweat and dirt and assist in making natural leather more supple and simpler to work in. 

Sunlight also helps shoes retain their original color rather than being exposed to artificial light indoors all day.

Dampness

Avoid dampness by keeping your work boots away from steamy showers, damp basements or bathrooms, hot pipes, steam cleaners, or autos with engines running for extended periods.

These are all excellent places for mold to grow inside your work boots.

Scented Liquids

Avoid scented liquids on your work boots; it’s best to avoid getting rosewater, perfume, or scented oils on them.

This could stimulate mold growth and quickly damage your work boot material.

Dry-Out

Avoid boot dry-out by applying wax-based polish and protective lotions to your boots before storing them.

This protects them from moisture and prevents your boot material from becoming soft and easily harmed by dirt, grease, water, or other chemicals.

Why Should You Keep Your Work Boots Dry?

You should keep your work boots dry because prolonged contact with water causes moisture in boots, leading to mold, mildew, and a variety of other issues. 

The longer your boots are wet, the more probable these problems will occur, as well as germs, fungi, or viruses present inside your boat, which can also lead to a bad odor. 

If you don’t want to get sick from the bacteria and viruses that could be in your work boots, you should take care to keep them dry as frequently as possible.

How Do You Keep Your Feet Dry in Your Work Boots?

You keep your feet dry in your work boots by: 

• Choosing suitable boot material.
• Using foot powder.
• Using socks.
• Using an insole.
• Using foot deodorant.

Let’s take a closer look at each of these.

Choosing Suitable Boot Material

Choosing suitable boot material aligned with the work that you do wonders to keep your feet dry.

If your profession does not require you to go from place to place or operate in water-filled places, you may simply choose lightweight boots to wear, making your feet feel cooler and reducing sweating.

Use Foot Powder

Use foot powder on your feet before putting on your boots to keep your feet dry; this will absorb moisture from your feet.

Use Socks

The use of socks can be a significant component in absorbing sweat, keeping the feet dry, and reducing odor. 

Before buying a pair of socks, make sure they are made of the proper material.

Use an Insole

Use an insole to keep your feet dry in your work boots.

Different insoles are available from natural ingredients such as bamboo and charcoal to keep the foot dry and minimize odor.

Use Foot Deodorant

Use a foot deodorant to combat sweat; all you have to do is squirt some liquid onto your feet. 

Foot deodorants are safe to use on your feet and in your work boots.

Common Questions

In Conclusion

Drying your work boots requires some effort, which we have simplified in this article.

How to dry work boots might be one of the most asked questions.

Rest assured that all the information we’ve shared here works perfectly and produces results faster than any other approach without causing damage to your boots.

We’ll be back soon with more solutions for your work boots and feet!

In the meantime, follow all the tips and tricks above to dry your work boots.

Take care until then.