How to dry shoes in a Beko tumble dryer

Many users believe that drying shoes in a Beko tumble dryer is prohibited. This is actually not true. It all depends on the material of the shoe. While leather boots won't dry in the machine, athletic sneakers are perfectly fine.

We'll explain how to properly dry shoes in modern Beko dryers. Which program should you choose? We'll also explore the main causes of shoe damage in dryers and explain how to avoid it.

Shoe drying device

Only one pair of shoes can be safely dried per cycle. This is very wasteful in terms of electricity consumption. The machine consumes a fair amount of kilowatts, so drying becomes quite expensive.

That's why many users recommend purchasing a separate electric shoe dryer. It can hold several pairs of shoes at once. However, not everyone has the luxury of purchasing a large device, and dryers are increasingly becoming a part of apartments.

Beko automatic dryers don't have a dedicated shoe drying program. However, users have found a solution. You can purchase a special rack, install it in the drum, and set it to a delicate cycle.

Before placing shoes in the dryer, you need to make sure that they are made of materials that are suitable for this type of treatment.

For example, a suede pair shouldn't be tumble dried at all. The same goes for leather items. These materials are prone to deformation, and machine drying can damage the shoes.

It's also important to inspect the items for decorative elements. Glued parts may come loose during the drying process. Poor-quality glue can melt and cause a fire.

Don't use the express program to dry your shoes. When you turn on the express program, the air in the drum heats up to 60 degrees Celsius. Such high temperatures can damage the adhesive layer, causing the sole to peel off.

You cannot run the high-temperature mode - this is one of the main rules. When drying shoes, it is important to choose a program with air heating no more than 40 degrees. Otherwise, there is a high risk of damage to the products.

It's also important to clean shoes before loading them into the dryer. For example, don't put sneakers in the dryer that are wet from running through puddles. Dust and dirt will end up in the machine and subsequently on the clean laundry being dried. Be sure to check the soles for any stuck stones—they shouldn't end up in your dryer either.

In fact, there aren't many recommendations. You need to evaluate the material the shoes are made of, pre-wash or clean them, and select a program with a temperature no higher than 40°C. Then the machine will do the job: dry your sneakers thoroughly.

We'll find a suitable program

Ordering a shoe rack for your dryer is very easy. Similar devices are readily available on all marketplaces at a fairly reasonable price. This usually doesn't present any difficulties.

Choosing the right drying mode is much more difficult. Users are afraid of using the wrong drying cycle and ruining their shoes. A description of all programs, including the maximum air heating temperature, is provided in the equipment instructions.

The program selection will vary depending on the Beko washing machine model. However, most of the algorithms are similar across units. Let's explore the modes available in this brand's devices and which are best suited for drying shoes.

• "Cotton Iron Dry." This mode is designed for cotton items that will be ironed (T-shirts, tablecloths, shirts, etc.). Items remain slightly damp. The machine runs for 150 minutes at a temperature of 40°C.
• Cotton Eco. This program dries all cotton items (pajamas, bedding, children's clothing, etc.). Linens are completely dry. The temperature in the washing chamber reaches 50-60°C. The cycle lasts 189 minutes.
• "Cotton Closet." This cycle is designed for enhanced care of heavy-duty items such as trousers, tracksuits, and pants. The machine's interior is heated to 60-70°C, and the cycle lasts 204 minutes.
• "Cotton Extra Dry." This cycle is perfect for drying heavy cotton items, such as towels, terrycloth robes, and so on. The cycle lasts 3.5 hours. The air temperature reaches 70°C, ensuring antibacterial treatment of the items.
• "Synthetics Iron Dry." This program is designed for drying synthetic items. Items remain slightly damp to facilitate ironing. The program runs for 55 minutes.
• "Synthetics Cupboard Dry." Suitable for all synthetic garments. Linens can be stored in the cupboard without ironing. The program runs for 75 minutes at a temperature of up to 40°C.
• "Gentle/Shirts." This algorithm provides a more gentle drying process. Items are wrinkle-free in the drum, making ironing easier. Program duration: 50 minutes.
• "Jeans." A drying algorithm for denim items. Program duration: 140 minutes. Air temperature reaches 60°C.
• "Sportswear." This setting is used for drying items made of synthetics, cotton, or mixed fabrics. It is also suitable for drying waterproof items, such as jackets and raincoats. Turn the garment inside out before placing it in the drum.
• Mix/Daily. A universal algorithm for all fabric types. The drum is heated to 40°C, and the cycle lasts 135 minutes.
• "Anti-Allergy." A high-temperature program for items requiring special hygiene. This mode is primarily used for drying children's clothes, towels, and cotton underwear. The cycle lasts 195 minutes, with a maximum heating temperature of 80°C.
• "Down." This program is designed for drying outerwear: coats, raincoats, and jackets with padding. It's important that such items be labeled as suitable for machine drying. It's recommended to turn items inside out before placing them in the drum. Cycle time: 100 minutes, temperature: 40°C.
• Express. This setting is designed for quick drying. The high temperature dries items in half an hour. The drum can hold no more than 0.5-1 kg of items, such as two shirts. Not suitable for delicate fabrics.
• "Refresh Cycle." When activated, the algorithm ventilates for 10 minutes without hot air. This program can be used to air out items that have been stored in a closet for a long time and have acquired a specific odor.

Modern Beko machines also feature a timed drying cycle. The cycle will run at low temperatures, down to 40 degrees Celsius. The timer can be set from 10 to 160 minutes.

When you select timed drying, the cycle will run for the set number of minutes, regardless of the dryness level of the items in the drum.

If you plan to load your favorite sneakers into the dryer, you should immediately avoid all high-temperature settings, such as "Cotton, Closet Dry," "Express," "Anti-Allergy," etc. It is necessary to choose gentle programs with delicate drying. The following algorithms are suitable:

• Mix/Daily;
• "Sports stuff";
• "Cotton Iron dry."

You can also select a timed program. Set the timer for an hour or an hour and a half. Afterward, check the condition of the shoes. If the shoes are fine but slightly damp, continue the cycle for another few dozen minutes.

Programs that are too short, such as "Gentle/Shirts," aren't suitable. The shoes simply won't have time to dry and will remain damp. Therefore, it's important to find a happy medium.

The shoe dryer starts as usual. You will need:

• install a special stand into the drum;
• put crosses on it;
• plug the machine into the power supply;
• select the desired mode or set the drying time;
• start the cycle.

The dryer will sound a signal when it's finished. You can then remove your clean and dry shoes from the drum. If your items are still slightly damp, return them to the dryer for another 30 minutes.

Reasons why shoes are damaged in a dryer

Many people avoid drying their shoes in the washing machine. They're afraid of irreparably damaging their items. Moreover, there's no information about this in the Beko washing machine's instructions.

Dryers significantly accelerate the evaporation of moisture. This can, indeed, have a negative impact on some shoe materials. High-heeled pumps should not be placed in the dryer. This will ruin the shoes and may also damage the washer's drum.

Patent leather sandals can crack. Leather or suede boots can shrink a couple of sizes. Your favorite sneakers can come apart in the heat.

Sometimes the rubber soles of sneakers crack. Soccer cleats with cushioning components lose their cushioning. To prevent this, use a shoe rack and select a delicate drying cycle.

Most often, shoes made from materials that cannot be dried automatically are damaged in washing machines.

Therefore, before tumble drying your items, it's important to assess whether they can withstand this treatment. Check the materials the shoe is made of. Check the quality of the sole's adhesive. Finally, select a setting that heats the air to no more than 40°C.

   

Readers' comments