How to Clean Crocs – Ultimate Guide and FAQs

Crocs are a super popular shoe for both indoor and outdoor wear and dirt can build up on them pretty quickly, leaving many wondering how to clean Crocs.

It’s best to know know to properly clean your Crocs in a way that won’t damage them, which is why I have created this FAQ guide to cleaning Crocs as a long time fan and consumer of the brand. I’ve been wearing Crocs for years and have tried and tested many cleaning methods, the best of which I will share here…

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How to Clean Crocs

The best way to clean Crocs is to hand wash them with a mild soap and warm (not hot) water solution. Gently scrub tough stains with a soft scrub brush and allow to air dry after cleaning.

In addition to cleaning Crocs with mild soapy water there are a number of other cleaning methods to try (especially if your Crocs are super dirty or have very stubborn stains).

Here are the following methods I have used to clean my various types of Crocs that don’t damage or warp Croslite™, the closed-cell resin foam material Crocs are made with.

Prepare your rubber Crocs by shaking out any dirt and debris from the inner sole, and knock any dirt out from between the outer tread.

Remove any jibbitz by pushing them up and out of the Crocs holes from the inside of the shoe. I like to take a picture on my phone of my jibbitz arrangement before removing them so I can put them back in the order I like afterwards.

Grab a pair of rubber gloves to keep your hands safe whilst cleaning and prepare a space to clean your Crocs. I like to clean mine outdoors.

Soap and water solution

Ideal for a light clean.

Cleaning your Crocs with a soap and water solution is a really cheap yet effective way to remove dirt. It’s also the method most recommended by Crocs themselves.

Here’s how I clean my Crocs with soap and water:

1. Prepare a large bowl of warm water. Make sure the water isn’t hot, but instead lukewarm.
2. Add one teaspoon of mild soap or a gentle washing powder and mix the solution.
3. Submerge your Crocs in the water and gently scrub with a toothbrush or scrub brush, focusing on stained and built up areas.
4. Pay special attention to the inner sole and outer sole where dirt builds up the most. For the inner sole using a baby bottle brush helps to get right inside the shoe. Alternatively use a soft cloth or sponge if your Crocs only need a surface level clean.
5. Change your water and soap solution if your Crocs are excessively dirty.
6. Once clean, rinse your Crocs in cold water and allow to air dry away from direct sunlight and excessive heat.

Baking Soda and Vinegar

Ideal for a deep clean and odour removal.

If your Crocs are dirty and have a bad smell then you should consider using a baking soda and vinegar combination to deep clean them.

Baking soda and vinegar are excellent at cleaning and dissolving dirt and smells. Using these two everyday kitchen cupboard ingredients to clean Crocs is my personal favourite method, as they really work and are readily available.

Here’s how to clean Crocs with a baking soda and vinegar paste:

1. Mix one part baking soda, one part white vinegar and two parts water to form a thin paste.
2. Use a soft cloth, sponge or a folded paper towel to apply the paste to your Crocs. Make sure you cover every inch of them, inside and out including the outer sole.
3. Don’t forget to rub the paste into the Crocs holes. You could use a pipe cleaner or a toothbrush to work the paste into the holes and under the strap.
4. Leave the Crocs to sit for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing off the paste thoroughly with cold water.
5. Allow the Crocs to air dry in a well ventilated space.

Your Crocs should be odour and bacteria free.

Magic Eraser

Ideal for a quick clean.

One of the most effective ways of cleaning Crocs is to use a magic eraser. Here’s how I clean my Crocs with a magic eraser:

1. Soak the Magic Eraser sponge in a bowl of warm water until saturated.
2. Rub the Magic Eraser over the inside and outside of your Crocs to remove tough stains.
3. Use the corner of a magic eraser to clean in between the tread ridges on the outer soles of the Crocs.
4. Once done rinse the Crocs with cold water and dry with an undyed paper towel.

A magic eraser will work best on plain white crocs to remove dirt and stains.

Click here to view Magic Erasers on Amazon.

Tip: To clean inside the Crocs’ holes you’ll need to use a toothbrush or a pipe cleaner as the magic eraser won’t fit.

Bleach Soak

Ideal for an intense clean for white Crocs.

If your Crocs are very dirty, yellowing or stained then a bleach soak may be required to clean them fully. This method should only be used on white Crocs that have been cleaned prior with soapy water.

Make sure you have a well ventilated area or you are outdoors when using bleach to clean your Crocs.

Here is how to clean Crocs with a bleach solution:

1. Fill a large bowl with lukewarm water and add one small capful of bleach.
2. Whilst wearing rubber gloves submerge your Crocs in the solution and leave them for two hours to soak.
3. Remove the Crocs from the solution and rinse thoroughly with cold water.

The yellowing and stains should have lifted from your Crocs leaving them a nice fresh white.

If you want to avoid bleach try formula 409 spray for stubborn dirt and stains, and rub the product in with a soft cloth.

Quick Clean Wipes

Ideal for an on-the-go clean.

If you aren’t able to deep clean your Crocs and need a quick on the go solution consider using a rubber safe wipe to clean up your Crocs.

Wipes are a great way to remove surface level dirt and they can be scrunched to fit between the Crocs’ holes.

You will struggle to achieve a deep clean with wipes if your Crocs are really dirty, but they’ll do a good job to keep them fresh on vacation.

Cleaning the Strap

When cleaning your Crocs you’ll need to pay special attention to your straps. Dirt can build up underneath the strap mechanism that will need to be scrubbed out with a toothbrush and soapy water, or a baking soda paste.

Dirt build up will harbour bacteria underneath the strap that often goes unseen. Making sure you get the straps clean will help them to last longer without becoming stiff.

Additional Tips

• Once your Crocs are clean it’s best to let them air dry in a well ventilated space. Avoid exposing them to the heat of a dryer or a hairdryer. Here’s what the FAQ section on the Crocs website has to say about drying Crocs:

“After cleaning, all styles should be air dried only. Exposure to extreme heat, sun, dishwashers, washing machines, or hot cars can cause the shoes to shrink or warp.”

– crocs.co.uk (source)

• Using Crocs Shine polish (or Crocsbutter, an oil-like polish) is a great way to restore the original polish to your Crocs. It’s a polish especially formulated for Crocs that will add shine and help them look new again. After you have cleaned your Crocs following the above methods consider polishing them with Crocs Shine to finish the job.

Click here to view the current price of Crocs Shine on Amazon. I personally really like applying Crocs Shine to my Crocs after cleaning them as it really elevates the final result. Mine look as good as new afterwards.

How To Clean Crocs With Fur

The best way to clean Crocs with fur is to use mild soap and warm water, according to the FAQ section of the Crocs website. The fur linings are not removable, so will need to be gently hand washed inside the Crocs. Rinse well and allow to air dry in a well ventilated area. Do not put them in the dryer or expose them to excessive heat.

Soapy Water

Here’s a step by step breakdown of how to clean Crocs with fur with soapy water:

1. Take a large bowl and fill it with warm water.
2. Add one to two teaspoons of mild detergent or a gentle washing powder and mix into the warm water to make a solution.
3. Submerge your Crocs into the bowl and begin to gently massage the fur lining.
4. If your water becomes excessively dirty, pour it out and make a fresh bowl with the same solution measurements. Repeat if needed.
5. Keep massaging the fur lining to remove all dirt and debris. Be careful not to scrub or pull too hard at the lining.
6. Once clean rinse the Crocs and lining well with cold water until all of the soapy solution is removed.
7. Blot the insides of your Crocs with a high quality paper towel to remove excess water. It’s best to use a high quality undyed paper towel over a cheaper alternative that may leave paper residue or dye on the lining of your Crocs.
8. Place the Crocs to dry in a well ventilated area away from direct sunlight. If you own a dehumidifier place the Crocs near it to speed up the process.

Once your Crocs are dry they should be clean and odour free. It’s best to hand wash fur lined Crocs like this as opposed to putting them in the washing machine, where the high heat may damage and warp your Crocs.

Baking Soda

An alternative way to clean the fur lining inside the Crocs is to use a baking soda paste. Baking soda will get rid of any unwanted odours that can build up in the fur lining.

In my personal experience using baking soda is a highly effective way to clean fur lined shoes, and is my go-to method of deodorising my own pair of Crocs.

Here’s how I clean Crocs with fur using baking soda:

1. Prepare a baking soda paste with one part baking soda and one part white vinegar and two parts water.
2. Gently massage the paste into the fur linings of your Crocs for one minute.
3. Rinse very well with cold water. Alternatively submerge the Crocs in clean cold water for 10 minutes and gently massage the baking soda paste out.
4. Once you have fully rinsed the paste out of the fur lining press a high quality paper towel to the inner lining of the Crocs to remove excess water. Then allow the Crocs to dry in a well ventilated place.

It’s always best to avoid drying Crocs in a dryer or with a hairdryer as exposure to high heat can shrink your crocs.

You can also use baking soda dry as a quick way of deodorising your Crocs. Here’s how:

1. Simply sprinkle a thin layer of dry baking soda onto the fur lining of your Crocs and leave overnight.
2. The next morning use a vacuum cleaner to extract the dry baking soda from the fur lining.
3. At this point your can use a wide toothed comb or brush to gently fluff up the fur and restore it to it’s original glory.

The fur lining should be odour free and ready to wear.

FAQs

Can you put Crocs in the washing machine?

Crocs should not be put in the washing machine as the temperature is too hot. Prolonged exposure to hot temperatures may cause Crocs to shrink, as Crocs are made with Croslite™ (a closed cell resin material/ EVA foam) that may warp and reduce when exposed to heat.

Croslite™ isn’t quite plastic or rubber, but it’s of the same family meaning it will become misshapen when exposed to high temperatures. If you have ever put a plastic spoon in boiling water you may understand the effect!

Here’s what the Crocs FAQ section on their website has to say about Croslite™ and heat exposure:

“Heat: do not expose your Crocs™ shoes to extreme heat or intense sunlight for an extended period of time. Due to the unique nature of the Crocs™ PCCR material, high temperatures may cause them to warp.”

– crocs.co.uk (source)

Can you put Crocs in the dryer?

Crocs should not be put in the dryer as the temperature is too high for the material Crocs are made with to withstand. Prolonged exposure to hot temperatures may cause Crocs to shrink or become misshapen, as Crocs are made with a closed cell resin material/ EVA foam that should not be exposed to high heat.

Do not put Crocs in the dryer for the same reason you shouldn’t put them in a washing machine – they may reduce and become unwearable.

It’s also best not to leave them in exposed patches of sunlight to dry off when the temperature is high outside, especially behind glass. The glass may magnify the sunlight and react with the Croslite™ material Crocs are made with, warping the design of the shoes.

Instead it’s best to dry off your Crocs with a nice quality paper towel that won’t leave residue or fluff on your Crocs.

How do you make Crocs look new again?

The quickest way to make Crocs look new again is to use a magic eraser on the inside and outside of your Crocs to remove stubborn dirt stains. It’s best to only use a magic eraser on white Crocs.

Here’s a step by step breakdown of how to make Crocs look new again with a magic eraser:

1. Prepare a bowl of warm water and submerge the magic eraser sponge in the water until saturated.
2. Remove the magic eraser from the water and gently rub over your Crocs to remove dirt and stains.
3. After using the magic eraser take a fresh bowl of warm water and add a little dish soap. Use an old toothbrush to scrub the soapy water into your Crocs to remove any final dirt.
4. Finally allow your Crocs to dry away from direct sunlight and heat.

Click here to view Magic Erasers on Amazon.

Check out this easy video tutorial for more help using a magic eraser on white shoes:

How do you get stains out of Crocs?

The easiest way to get stains out of Crocs is to use a magic eraser on your Crocs (white Crocs only) or to scrub them with soapy water and an old toothbrush.

How do I stop my Crocs from smelling?

The best way to stop Crocs from smelling is to deodorize the Crocs with baking soda. Simply apply a layer of baking soda to the inside of your Crocs and seal them in a large zip locked bag to prevent fallout. Leave the Crocs for 12 – 24 hours before rinsing off the baking soda with warm water and drying your Crocs with a paper towel.

Whilst Croslite™ is Anti microbial material, Crocs can still end up smelling after a period of prolonged use. Dirt and dead skin can build up inside the Crocs to create a layer of funky smelling debris that will need to be removed every month or so for best results.

Baking soda is an excellent way of deodorising your Crocs as it will dissolve dead skin and dirt, removing the nasty smells from your Crocs. It’s also relatively cheap, and available widely in stores.

Can you use baking soda to clean Crocs?

You can use baking soda to clean Crocs as it does not react with Croslite™ (the closed cell resin material Crocs are made with). Using baking soda is one of the easiest and cheapest methods for cleaning the inside and outside of Crocs. It’s a highly effective way to remove dirt, debris and bad odours.

Simply sprinkle a layer of baking soda inside and outside of your Crocs and leave overnight to deodorise them.

If you would like to achieve a deeper clean with baking soda, here’s how:

1. Make a baking soda paste by mixing three parts white vinegar and one part baking soda in a bowl.
2. Once mixed spread the paste over your Crocs and leave for 5 to 10 minutes.
3. Rinse the crocs thoroughly in cold water until the paste is completely removed.
4. Take an old toothbrush and scrub the Crocs to remove any stubborn stains. Rinse the Crocs again.
5. Dry the Crocs with paper towel and you are done.

How often should you clean Crocs?

For best results you should clean your Crocs once a month. Keep your Crocs in good condition and odour free by washing them with mild soapy water every 4 weeks, or less if your Crocs become dirty often.

If you stay on top of caring for your Crocs you shouldn’t have any issue with debris build up and poor smelling soles.

How do you clean dual comfort Crocs?

The best way to clean Dual Comfort Crocs is to gently clean them with mild soap and warm water. The lining cannot be removed, so it will need to be cleaned inside the crocs. Massage mild soap and warm water into the lining by hand, rinse and allow to dry in a well ventilated space. Do not put them in the washing machine or dryer.

How to clean your Crocs jibbitz

The best way to clean Crocs jibbitz is to remove them from your Crocs and soak them in warm soapy water for 5 minutes. Then take an old toothbrush and gently scrub away dirt and debris. Rinse and allow to dry.

Be careful not to put them in very hot water, or in the washing machine or dryer. Mild dish soap and lukewarm water will be sufficient enough to clean the jibbitz without damaging them.

A note

I hope you found this guide to ‘how to clean Crocs’ helpful and you now feel confident to clean your own pair. Personally I find using baking soda to be the most effective method of cleaning my own Crocs, but there are plenty of alternative cleaning methods listed in this article if you do not have baking soda to hand.

For more Crocs content check out…

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