While certain people swear they would never wear a pair of crocs they are undeniably popular despite their ability to divide opinion. Crocs are a popular style of footwear that has become increasingly popular over the last decade due to how comfortable and practical they are to wear.
Whether you wear them for gardening, at the beach, or simply out shopping, if you have a pair of Crocs you will be wanting to make sure they are clean and fresh at all times. If you usually simply wipe your Crocs down and are wondering if they can be washed in a machine, this article will help answer all of your questions.
We will also answer any questions you may have about drying your Crocs. It is important to follow the correct guidelines as you do not want to ruin your Crocs by applying too much water or heat.
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What are Crocs Made From?

Crocs are made from a closed-cell Croslite which is a closed-cell resin. Croslite is the name given by the brand for the foam resin materials it uses.
The foam resin is made up of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) which is a polymer. While Crocs may look like plastic or rubber, the Croslite is an elastic material that is designed to be more comfortable and you do not have to worry about moisture build-up.
Given the comfort levels and the fact that they are durable and will not be affected by UV radiation, it is easy to see why people adore Crocs so much.
While it is undeniable that Crocs have many benefits, there is one large downside to wearing this type of shoes and that is that they do not tolerate high temperatures and can be affected greatly by excess heat. If your Crocs are exposed to temperatures that are too high they can crack or shrink.
Washing Recommendations by Crocs

As Crocs are very popular, especially for use outdoors, they can get very dirty and you will therefore want to know how best to wash them. Before we take a look at the best ways to wash and dry your Crocs, we should take a look at the official advice from Crocs to see what the company advises.
If you stick with the manufacturers’ guidelines you will not risk running your Crocs and if anything does happen to your shoes you can raise it with the company as you are following the instructions they gave out. This is standard advice for any item of clothing, although it can become difficult if a label is missing on vintage or second-hand clothing.
There are two main types of Crocs on the market; the classic Croc and the Fuzzy Crocs, so we will look at how you can wash both shoes. There are many styles of Crocs, including clogs, slippers, and boots but for the below information, we are looking at those without a fur lining and those with linings.
Classic Crocs
For this article, we refer to classic Crocs as the clogs and other designs that are made from Croslite and do not have a lining. The design of Crocs means that the quickest and easiest way to clean Crocs is to wash them by hand with soap and water.
You can dip a cloth in soap and water and rub it over the Croc or you can handbag by submerging them in cold/cool water. You should do this in a way that you would with any delicate item of clothing that is not suitable for the washing machine.
[amazon box=”B0014C5S7S” template=”vertical”]Fuzzy Crocs
When it comes to fuzzy crocs and crocs with any sort of lining the washing procedure is a little trickier. The material on the inside of the Crocs is more susceptible to soaking up odors from your feet and will stain if they get muddy or sandy.
To add to the issue, the lining cannot be removed so it can be quite tricky to clean. Crocs, again, recommend that you wash this style of shoe by hand with cool/lukewarm water and soap.
The brand recommends that you air dry your Crocs and not put them in the dryer. Crocs also offer advice on how to clean leather Crocs and other products that they sell, such as canvas shoes and heels.
If you have read the washing instructions on the Crocs website and are still unsure of how you can clean your very dirty shoes, we take a look at the most frequently asked questions when it comes to machine washing or drying your shoes.
[amazon box=”B08X7M6BJ1″ template=”vertical”]Can you put crocs in the washing machine?
Most washing machines use hot water to clean your clothes and any heat can cause your Crocs to shrink, due to the EVA material it contains. The other varieties of Crocs, such as suede shoes, fuzzy Crocs, and leather shoes all require different methods of washing so, all in all, it is not advisable to machine your Crocs.
If, however, your Crocs are very dirty and no amount of cleaning them with soapy water will get them looking squeaky clean you may want to consider washing them in the machine.
If you do not want to wear your dirty Crocs and feel that the risk is worthwhile then you should aim to clean your Crocs at a washing machine temperature of no more than 30˚C/ 86˚F.
If you go any higher than this you risk ruining both your Crocs and your washing machine. For cloth shoes, such as suede and canvas you should put them at the lowest temperature possible.
You should check your washing machine for gentle settings which should wash your Crocs at a temperature between 15 and 30˚C. It is important to check if you have a spin dry setting on your washing machine and if so you should turn it off as the high-speed motion of the spin function can damage your Crocs.
This is the same with any steam function.

Protecting Your Shoes in the Washing Machine
Putting your shoes in a cotton bag or a pillow case can help protect them while they are in the washing machine. You should ensure the bag or pillow case is fully closed which can help protect your Crocs from harsh temperatures and damage from spinning.
Some people will also swear by lining the drum of the washing machine with towels to protect the Crocs banging against the hard metal drum.
Can you Put Crocs in a Dryer?
As mentioned in the instructions from Crocs itself, you should avoid putting your shoes in the dryer as the high temperatures can melt the plastic slightly, making it crinkly and out of shape.
Very high temperatures can melt the Croc and will also cause damage to your dryer. This advice should be followed even if your shoes are soaking wet and you are in a hurry to get them dry.

What Are the Advantages of Putting Crocs in the Dryer?
While the advice is to avoid putting Crocs in the dryer you may be tempted to put them in if you are in a hurry and your Crocs are taking too long to air dry.
If you are going to put your Crocs in the dryer you should do so with the knowledge that you are at risk of causing heat damage and it is not recommended by the brand so you will not be able to get a refund on your damaged shoes.
If you do want to take the risk, you should set your dryer to low, or medium if that is the only option and set them to dry for 5 minutes at a time. You should check on your Crocs to ensure they are not getting too hot and if they are you should take them out of the dryer.
If the Crocs are not getting too hot you can try putting them in for another five minutes and repeat the process until they are dry.
The Best Way to Dry Your Crocs?

Air drying your Crocs is the best way to dry them as this way you do not risk causing heat damage. You can leave them near a radiator or in a room that gets warm and allow them to fully dry before storing them away.
Be careful not to put wet Crocs near your other shoes as it will take longer for them to dry and they may get moldy.
Conclusion
If you have a pair of Crocs and you want to wash them after they get a bit grubby the best way to do so is to take a cloth and soapy water and wipe them down. If you cannot remove the dirt with soap and water you can put them in the washing machine on a gentled setting at a very low temperature.
To dry your Crocs you should air-dry them to prevent heat damage. Machine washing and machine drying are not advisable and doing so are at your own risk.
Farah Zeb is a mother of five, including two children with special needs. She shares practical parenting tips and resources to help other families navigate daily challenges and create supportive, nurturing environments.