Radiators can work in a pinch, but I’ve seen more than a few folks scorch their gloves or melt a bit of nylon if they’re not careful—especially with the older cast iron ones. Boot dryers are handy, but yeah, you run out of space fast after a big snow day. Hanging stuff near a vent or in front of a fan is probably the safest bet for most gear. I’ve even used the bathroom exhaust fan trick—hang gloves from the shower rod and let the fan do its thing overnight. Not glamorous, but it works.
I’ve even used the bathroom exhaust fan trick—hang gloves from the shower rod and let the fan do its thing overnight. Not glamorous, but it works.
That bathroom fan trick is a lifesaver. I’ve tried balancing gloves on radiators before—let’s just say I learned the hard way that “toasty” can turn into “crispy” real fast. If you’re really pinched, I’ve found that stuffing newspaper inside wet boots or gloves helps pull out moisture overnight. Costs nothing, and you don’t end up with melted gear (or a weird smell wafting through the house).
I’ve tried the newspaper trick too, but sometimes it just leaves my gloves feeling kind of stiff and weird the next day. Maybe I’m using the wrong kind of paper? The bathroom fan thing is solid, though—beats waking up to that burnt-plastic smell from leaving stuff too close to a space heater. Ever tried those little silica gel packs from shoe boxes? I tossed a handful in my boots once, but honestly not sure if it did much. Anyone actually had luck with those?
I’ve tried those silica gel packs too, but honestly didn’t notice much difference—maybe they work better in smaller spaces? I usually just stick my gloves on a boot dryer overnight. Anyone ever try rice in a sock for drying stuff out? Wondering if that’s any better.
Tried the rice-in-a-sock trick a couple winters ago when my old boot dryer died. Honestly, it worked okay for smaller stuff like gloves, but took forever with boots. I’d say it’s better than nothing if you’re in a pinch, but not as quick as a proper dryer. Silica packs never did much for me either—maybe they’re just too small for the job. I just hang my gear near a vent now and call it good.