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? 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 h...