How to Make Your Own Shoe Dryer

Many people feel that they could never have too many shoes, so it stands to reason that there could never be too much shoe storage. Unfortunately, many types of shoe storage require shoes to be absolutely dry before putting them away. But if you have just pulled your favorite running shoes out of the washing machine, or pulled off a pair of galoshes after being caught in the rain, that doesn't mean you must leave them oozing water on the floor. Create a simple shoe drying rack to hang in your laundry room or entryway.

1/2-by-2 birch boards, 4
Sheet of plywood, 3 feet-by-3 feet
Drill with 3/8-inch bit
Measuring tape
3/8-inch wooden dowels, 3
Saw
Wood glue
Finishing nails
Hammer
Locking pin hinge kit
Metal drawer knobs, 4
Flathead screws, 4
Paint or stain

Instructions

- 1
  Cut two 1/2-by-2 birch boards as long as the width of the sheet plywood. Cut the other two 1/2-by-2 birch boards 6 inches shorter than the length of the sheet plywood.
- 2
  Drill three evenly spaced 3/8-inch holes along the 1/2-inch edge of the two shorter birch boards, so the two sets of holes are perfectly parallel when these two boards are placed next to each other.
- 3
  Piece together a frame from the four pieces of birch. Place the drilled pieces parallel on the left and right with the holes aligned. Position the other two pieces at the top and bottom.
- 4
  Measure the space between two side pieces. Shorten the 3/8-inch wooden dowels so they are approximately 1/4 inch longer than this measurement. Dry fit the dowels into the holes, one end in each side piece. Check that the dowels are horizontally straight to the side pieces. If not, make adjustments to the hole placement.
- 5
  Glue the top and bottom of the frame to one side piece. Remove the dowels, then glue them back into their holes.
- 6
  Glue on the remaining side piece to the top and bottom pieces. Add a finishing nail at each joint to secure the structure.
- 7
  Align the top of the frame with the top of the sheet plywood. Screw the frame to the plywood with a locking pin hinge about 2/3 of the way down each side. Attach one end of each hinge to the back side of the rack and the other to the outer edge of the plywood.
- 8
  Drill four evenly spaced flathead screws through the back of the plywood along the 6 inch-by-3 foot strip of plywood that is beneath the top of the frame. Screw a metal drawer knob onto each screw from the front.
- 9
  Paint or stain and finish your shoe drying rack as desired, and hang it with the flat side of the plywood against the wall. Hang tennis shoes by the heel over the knobs to dry and lower the rack into place to hold boots and heels for air-drying.

How Are Detergents Made?

How to Care for a Mohair Sharkskin Suit

Laundry