How Do You Clean Your Crocs at Home?

If you own Crocs, you may be someone who appreciates convenience and simplicity in a shoe. You may appreciate that in your cleaning too, and not for no reason: cleaning is always a task best done quickly in clothing and apparel to avoid staining and long-term damage to coloration.

Thankfully, there are some straight-forward and simple ways to clean your Crocs that don’t require purchasing expensive products online or looking for them in shops.

Many cleaning agents that you will need to clean your Crocs are things you will have in your cupboards or around the house. Not only are they convenient, but more environmentally-friendly too: if you are looking to cut down on your plastic waste or the release of toxic or corrosive chemicals into the environment, many of these choices will be ideal.

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What are Crocs?

Crocs have a unique history as a shoe. Created in 2002, they are a “clog” made of foam.

The design was acquired from Foam Creations, Inc. and was originally developed as a boating shoe. The company Crocs, Inc. acquired the design and operated from Colorado to create these foam clogs in a variety of colors.

The design is notable for being functional, with a clog design that has holes for breathability in the toes of the shoe. The boating design as an originator is clear in that the shoes is fully waterproof, and the breathability of the toes prevents a build up of mold from this.

A stiff strap can be moved to the front or back of the shoe, with the back providing a tighter fit and the front allowing the shoes to be slipped on or off like a traditional house slipper.

Like their logo, Crocs are like crocodiles in that they are comfortable on land and in water as well. Named by Time as one of humanity’s “worst inventions”, Croc have an unabashed reputation for being ugly.

Much of the trend of wearing Crocs has an association for their unusual appearance: they are known for being unattractive but comfortable, and their distinctively odd appearance has its own place in fashion as a sort of ugly-couture.

Accentuating this was Crocs Inc.’s acquisition of Jibbitz, a brand that sold charms that are attachable to the top of the shoe through the distinctive Croc-holes. Although Crocs are a new invention from 2002, they have a retro appeal to many late millennials or Gen-Z who may have worn them when they were young.

Manufactured by Crocs, Inc. in Colorado, they are foam clogs known for their comfort, breathability and uniquely unusual look. Once noted for being utilitarian and unattractive, attachable Jibbitz mean even casually simple Crocs designs can have a more unique look.

Jibbitz charms come in multi-packs and are relatively affordable, and range in design from retro burgers and fries, letters to customize, animals, as well as popular brands like Disney releasing characters and logos.

What are Crocs made of?

Although Crocs’ official slogan is “Come as you are”, cleaning them can be more complicated than that on the day to day.

They aim for absolute comfort and accessibility, but their composition is actually a highly secretive patent that is not known exactly to the general public. So what are they made of?

The foam forms itself to the feet of the wearer, which the brand and some podiatrists claim offers medical benefits to those who need sensitive care for their feet or work on their feet often. As the foam forms itself to the feet over time, many workers prefer the shoes for their wearability.

Most unusual is that the brand, Crocs, Inc. owns a patent obtained from Foam Creations for a proprietary foam resin called Croslite. This is the notoriously comfy foam used in the creation of the shoes that molds to the feet of people wearing them.

It has been reported that this is an EVA (Ethylene vinyl acetate) foam used in an injection mold.

The patent for this creation method is held under the title “Breathable work shoes and the methods for manufacturing such”, with three additional design aspects that cover the ornamental aspects of the shoe as opposed to the technology.

The design also includes a no-skid design on the bottom with a highly textured form that means that the foam used, potentially slippery, provides grip on a multitude of surfaces.

How should I clean my Crocs?

Advice on how to clean your Crocs varies wildly, and thanks to their waterproof design they are a lot more forgiving on cleaning than many available shoes. However, there are some major errors that can damage or even shrink your Crocs, so be sure to clean them carefully.

The advice for Crocs varies greatly if dealing with the Fuzzy Crocs range, which have fur and fluff linings. These will require more careful cleaning, so examine instructions carefully to be sure they are suitable for your specific shoe.

Can I put my Crocs in the washing machine?

Although some wearers put their Crocs in the washing machine, these present the possibility of Crocs shrinking due to a prolonged exposure to heat and water. Due to the foam used, exposing Crocs to heat for long periods of time may well make them shrink.

To avoid this, it is best to avoid washing your Crocs in the washing machine or in the dishwasher. If you are confident about using cold water in your washing machine, Crocs may be washed on cold on a gentle wash, avoiding any harsh spin cycles.

If in doubt, put Crocs in a pillowcase or a bag designed for washing delicates.

Avoid washing your Crocs in the washing machine too frequently, as the exposure to knocks, bangs and pressure will serve to wear out your Crocs further than if you washed them by hand.

If you wash your Crocs, be sure to air dry the Crocs afterwards. Putting them in the sun will help to keep them bacteria-free.

Can I put my Crocs in the dishwasher?

Some wearers regularly place their Crocs in the dishwasher for cleaning. Although some may have had success with this method, it opens the door to a very likely case of the Crocs shrinking due to a prolonged exposure to heat.

Avoid putting your Crocs in the dishwasher. Hand wash instead or if there is a tough stain, keep reading to find an alternative method.

Can I hose down my Crocs?

If desired, you can hose down your Crocs. Avoid using too high a speed and too forceful a spray as this could damage your Crocs or dislodge the signature strap.

Can I put my Crocs in the drier?

No. There are many reports of people have severely shrunken Crocs from driers, as the heat will shrink the foam down to many sizes smaller.

They will be completely unwearable in this case: avoid putting them in the drier at all costs. Instead, allow them to air dry and if wanting to expedite the process, put a cold fan on the Crocs or dry them with a towel beforehand.

Can I clean my Crocs by taking them into the shower?

Although you can wear your Crocs in the shower if you so desire, avoid this. The hot water could cause problems. 

How to hand-wash my Crocs?

If you own a pair of Classic Clogs also known as Classic Crocs, it can be relieving to know that Crocs are among the easiest shoes to clean, with that patented Croslite material offering true waterproof durability and preventing many stains from seeping deeply into the material.

To clean your clogs, you need a dish soap (avoiding any additives like fragrance), a microfiber cloth, a toothbrush you use for cleaning (for obvious reasons), lukewarm water, and a sink, bucket, or plastic tub.

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Rinse the Crocs under a tap, hose or shower head to dislodge any loose dirt and make cleaning simpler. A good but reasonable amount of force should dislodge dirt from nooks and crannies from the shoe, making the job of cleaning the Crocs simpler.

Once you have sprayed the Crocs to your contentment, fill your tub, sink or bucket and add a teaspoon of mild dish soap, more if it is a large tub or sink. Use lukewarm water, avoiding hot water as it could contribute to shrinkage in the Crocs.

Then, soak your Crocs for ten minutes or more, turning them upside down to aid penetration into the shoe.

Once done, remove the Crocs, drain the water and spray the Crocs again, running under a tap if you have no spraying mechanism available. Utilize that specialized cleaning toothbrush to scrub gently at the tips of the shoe and other finicky places like the vent holes and the textured parts of the shoe.

Scrub the bottom and details, but avoid scrubbing heavily if there is any lining that is not made of Croslite material.

After you have removed debris and dirt with the toothbrush, rinse the Crocs once again. Shake them off to remove excess water and dry them with a microfiber cloth, rubbing in circles to catch all water and removing excess moisture.

Leave them out to air dry completely or put them in the sun to use the sun’s anti-microbial radiation to ensure your shoes are entirely clean.

How to make my white Crocs white again?

Many white Crocs are more likely to show visible stains of grass, dirt or sweat than other Crocs, as with many shoes. However, because of the signature Croslite material, it may be unwise to use bleach.

Some people advise using them in cleaning white Crocs. This is not advisable, as the bleach may damage the Croslite material.

If you choose to do it, use a very diluted amount of bleach in a large tub and soak your Crocs for no more than 30 minutes.

The more advisable method is to use baking soda, also known as bicarbonate of soda. Avoid applying this to any fur lining or fur accouterments that you may have attached to your shoe, particularly Jibbitz which should be removed before any cleaning.

Use the baking soda after cleaning with dish soap-y water. Sprinkle the baking soda on the Crocs themselves and a microfiber cleaning cloth, scrubbing by gently rubbing in circles on the Crocs to bring back a pure white color.

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How to clean Fuzzy Crocs?

Although it is not advisable to soak or wash the inside of your lined Crocs, some do allow this to be detached. If so, remove it before washing.

Otherwise, if you find the lining of your Crocs requires cleaning for odor or bacteria, sprinkle on some baking soda. Baking soda has odor and bacterially absorbent properties that should absorb any smell.

Leave it overnight, and then shake off the next day to remove any excess. If the smell is still not gone, add equal parts baking soda, baking powder and cornstarch to absorb smells and leave another night.

Leaving out to air and dry in the sunlight should help with smells and cleanliness, as the sun adds a natural bleaching component.

How to clean deep stains from Crocs?

If you find your Crocs are deeply-stained, you may be struggling with these methods as they are not adequate for severe spot stains. 

First, try to clean the Crocs with dish soap and a nylon bristle brush in circles to remove the stain. If it does not lift, there are two other options available if you find your Crocs stained.

A magic eraser, known for being lightly abrasive erasers, can be used on stains in Crocs and should remove a stain easily. Rub gently until the stain is gone and your Crocs are clean again.

If you have a particularly bad stain, particularly one that involves biological matter, a last-ditch approach can be used. Avoid using this if possible, but if your shoes require cleaning because of blood, a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide can be applied.

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This should be applied at the specific stain spot and should avoid any material that is not Croslite because of the potential for damage. If your Crocs are specifically colored, this may not be suitable.

Leave for up to a few hours, before rinsing and washing thoroughly. If the stain is still not gone, rub baking soda on the stain area afterwards and rub with a sponge to apply abrasive cleaning.