Sneakers Soaked in the Rain? Should You Wash Them or Just Dry Them?

I thought the rain would finally calm down after the typhoon passed.

Instead, I went out in much heavier rain than I expected and came home with completely soaked sneakers. My socks were wet, and the inside of the shoes felt damp all the way to the toes.

Standing in the genkan, I wondered:

Do I need to wash soaked sneakers, or can I just dry them?

Woman returning home in Japan with sneakers soaked by heavy rain

The short answer is: you do not necessarily need to wash sneakers just because they got wet in the rain.

If they are soaked but not muddy or noticeably dirty, start by removing as much moisture as possible and drying them thoroughly in a shaded place with good airflow.

If you walked through muddy water, the inside is dirty, or the shoes smell unpleasant, check the material and the manufacturer's care instructions before washing them.

A simple way to decide is:

Mostly wet → dry them well
Muddy or dirty → check the care instructions before washing

Should You Wash Sneakers After They Get Soaked in the Rain?

Before washing anything, look at how dirty the shoes actually are.

If they are wet from rain but still fairly clean, drying them may be enough.

If you stepped into muddy puddles or dirt got inside the shoes, cleaning makes more sense.

The important thing is not to assume that every pair of sneakers can be washed the same way.

Sneakers can be made from mesh, synthetic fabric, leather, suede, or a mix of several materials. Even shoes that look similar may have different care instructions.

If you are thinking about washing the whole shoe, check the care label or the manufacturer's website first.

That quick check is especially worthwhile if the sneakers are expensive, light-colored, or a pair you wear often.

Comparison of wet clean sneakers and muddy sneakers before washing

What to Do First With Soaking Wet Shoes

When you get home, do not leave soaking wet shoes sitting untouched in the entrance.

If the insoles are removable, take them out so the inside can dry more easily. You can also loosen or remove the laces if they are holding the shoe tightly closed.

Next, use a dry towel or cloth to press out moisture from the outside and inside of the shoes.

You do not need to scrub hard. Just press the towel against the wet areas and let it absorb as much water as possible.

Then open the shoes up and place them somewhere shaded with good airflow.

If you are drying them indoors, a fan or air circulator can help move room-temperature air around the shoes.

Before wearing them again, check the toe area and underneath the removable insole. The outside may feel dry while moisture is still trapped inside.

Wet sneakers set up indoors to dry with insoles removed and good airflow

No Newspaper at Home? That's Fine

Growing up, I remember hearing that wet shoes should be stuffed with newspaper.

But living in Japan now, I rarely have a stack of newspapers sitting around the house.

You do not actually need newspaper for this.

Clean white paper or a dry cloth can be placed loosely inside the shoes to help absorb moisture and support their shape.

Replace the paper or cloth when it becomes very damp.

For white or light-colored sneakers, plain white paper is a better choice than heavily printed paper because wet ink may transfer.

The point is not the newspaper itself.

It is simply to remove moisture from inside the shoe while still letting air move around it.

Can You Dry Wet Sneakers With a Hair Dryer?

If you need the same shoes the next morning, using a hair dryer can seem like the fastest solution.

But blasting wet sneakers with hot air is not a good shortcut.

ASICS advises against forced drying with a hair dryer and recommends drying shoes in a well-ventilated, shaded place instead.

Strong heat can affect the shape or materials of footwear.

For the same reason, avoid placing wet sneakers right next to a heater or stove just to make them dry faster.

A better rule is:

Think airflow rather than heat.

Remove as much water as you can first, open the shoes up, and give them time to dry properly.

What If the Sneakers Really Do Need Washing?

If your sneakers are muddy or dirty enough that drying alone will not solve the problem, check whether that particular pair can be washed.

Do not rely only on how the shoes look.

Two pairs of sneakers can look almost identical while using very different materials.

If the manufacturer says the shoes can be washed, follow those care instructions. If you use a cleaning product, rinse it out properly and remove excess water before drying.

Then let the shoes dry completely in a shaded, well-ventilated place.

If the care instructions are unclear, it is better to check the manufacturer's website than to assume the whole shoe can be soaked in water.

It only takes a minute, and it may prevent unnecessary damage.

What I'll Do Next Time My Shoes Get Soaked

My first reaction when I saw my soaked sneakers was, “Do I have to wash these now?”

Now I have a simpler way to think about it.

If the shoes are mostly clean and just wet, I will remove the moisture and dry them thoroughly.

If they are muddy or dirty, I will check the material and care instructions before washing them.

And if I need them again soon, I will resist the temptation to use strong heat and focus on airflow instead.

Getting caught in sudden heavy rain is a normal part of life in Japan, especially during the rainy season, typhoon season, and those weeks when the weather changes quickly.

Next time it happens, I will know what to do: check how dirty the shoes are first, remove as much water as possible, and give them enough airflow and time to dry completely.