Meta: In this article, we’ll be looking at how you can clean your crocs properly, as well as how to deodorize and clean them if they are covered in fur.
Crocs are some of the most practical – and, dare we say it, to some people – most fashionable casual shoes that you can currently find on the market.
However, these indoor and outdoor shoes can gather a fair bit of muck and filth.
You might be wondering if you can use harsh cleaning products on your shoes. This stuff is made from durable plastic, but you might be worried about whether or not using the wrong material will cause your crocs to wear over time.
But what are the best ways to clean your crocs? What materials and tools are best for your needs? How much will it cost to clean these crocs by yourself?
Well, if you are looking for answers to these questions and more, we would suggest that you keep reading.
What Are Crocs?
These are a brand of foam clogs that were first manufactured in America. They are very useful for outdoor wear, being very comfortable, with holes perforating the outside that will allow your feet to breathe.
These shoes are made from resin, which makes them completely waterproof. This makes them great for outdoor use. Some users have described these shoes as basically indestructible.
These make them a great shoe for going from the land to the water. A lot of people wear these shoes when they are going to the beach.
These are also great boating shoes, they will not warp or discolor when exposed to sunlight for long periods of time.
But how can you clean your crocs if they are covered with dirt and grime? Well, firstly you’ll want to get rid of some of the gunk that can accumulate in the holes in your crocs.
Here are some of the tried and tested methods that we’ve come up with for cleaning your crocs effectively.
What Equipment Will You Need To Clean Your Crocs?
You won’t need that much equipment to clean your crocs you’ll be happy to know.
All you’ll really need to clean your crocs is a pair of rubber gloves that will keep your hands clean and dry.
You can also use a cleaning product if you are wanting to get in between the grooves of your crocs. This is important if you really want to get rid of some of the gunk that might have dried in the crevices of your crocs.
So how can you clean your crocs? Well, we’ll break it down in-depth, going from a light clean to a really heavy-duty clean. This will be very important if you have neglected cleaning your crocs for a longer period of time.
How To Give Your Crocs A Light Clean
One of the best methods of giving your crocs that light clean, usually at the end of the day or if you have just been walking a muddy path. All you’ll need for this type of cleaning is some hot and soapy water.
Here follows is a step-by-step guide that will help you get rid of the wet mud or even some light layers of dry mud.
Bowl of warm water – get a fairly decent-sized bowl of warm water. You can use hot water if your want, but it might be too hot for you to submerge your hands in.
Add some soap – take a small amount of soap and add it to your warm water. Swill it around a bit until you’ve worked up a nice lather.
Once you have plenty of suds, then dunk the whole of your crocs in. If you do not have enough room in your bowl, then do your crocs one at a time.
When you are scrubbing your crocs, make sure you get all the areas that have light staining. We would recommend using a small brush such as a toothbrush to get off all the areas of light dirt.
Make sure that you pay the most attention to the inner and outer sole of the shoe. This is the area that will build up the most dirt.
Get into the corners – if you have dirt on the inside of your sole, then we would suggest using a wide and flat brush to get into these narrow nooks. You can use the same brush that you might have to scrub the inside of a baby’s bottle.
Use a light cloth – if you only want to get rid of the top layer of dirt, then we would recommend using a wet cloth and light apply it over the surface of the shoe.
Get rid of the dirty water – if you are experiencing a lot of gunk or dirt on your shoe and you notice that the water has quickly become dirty, then you should get rid of this and replace it with fresh soapy water.
Once you have removed the dirt from your crocs to the standard that you want, then rinse off the excess suds and dirt with warm tap water.
Dry your crocs – if you are wanting that great air dry, then we would recommend leaving your crocs out in the sun.
This is the best way to clean your crocs using materials that you will have around the house. However, there are some other methods that you can use to clean your crocs. Keep reading to find out.
How To Clean Your Crocs Using Baking Soda And Vinegar
Sometimes if you haven’t cleaned your crocs for a long period of time, then there’ll be quite a lot of grime build-up and maybe even a bad smell. Odors will be hard to remove from your crocs, so you might have to use other materials to get rid of the smell.
This is where some other household condiments will come in handy to remove the smell from your crocs.
Using baking soda and vinegar is a tried and tested method of getting rid of the bad smell from your crocs. They are easily available in your house and are a quick and easy way of giving your crocs that extra deep clean. Here’s how to do it:
Prepare your baking soda – mix one part baking soda with one part white vinegar. Once you have put these together, mix them until they form a kind of thick paste.
Soft cloth – take a soft cloth and use it to apply the paste to your crocs. Make sure that you cover every inch of your crocs will this paste, as you’ll want to get rid of the smell across the entire shoe. Make sure that you get the inner and outer sole of your crocs too.
Holes – make sure you get in the holes. You can use either a toothbrush for this or you can even use some pipe cleaners. This will be a great method of getting rid of all the gunk that builds up in those hard-to-reach corners.
Allow the crocs to air out for a few minutes. This will allow the vinegar and baking soda mix to work their magic. We usually find that 5 – 10 minutes is the best length of time that you can use to get rid of all the foul odors on your crocs.
Rinse – once you have done this, then we would recommend that you rinse it off thoroughly. If you leave some of the paste on your crocs, then don’t worry as it will not corrode your mixture.
Dry – allow your crocs to air out in a well-ventilated space. We would recommend leaving it out in the direct sunlight.
This is the best method of getting rid of both bad smells and bacteria. These are the two things that could ruin the longevity of your crocs.
However, you might not have the time to indulge in these quicker cleaning methods. So here is a method of cleaning your crocs quickly and efficiently.
How To Clean Your Crocs With A Magic Eraser
But what is a magic eraser? This dura foam cleaning cloth is something that has been advertised as getting rid of grime and dirt in one single swipe. You can get a whole host of stains with this cloth, including beet juice and wine stains.
Now we’ll go into the details of how to clean your crocs using this handy cleaning tool.
Firstly, you’ll need to prepare another bowl of hot water.
Taking the Magic Eraser, submerge it entirely into your bowl of water until it is saturated.
Take the wet eraser cloth and run it across the whole of your crocs. Once this is done, then the stains will be completely removed.
Once you have cleaned your crocs then you should place them under a hot tap until all of the suds are rinsed off completely.
Once you have done this, you can either leave them to air dry or you can tap them down with a paper towel.
If you have brightly colored crocs, then using this magic eraser method will be ideal for getting them sparkling and clean again.
But what if you want to get that top level of cleaning that will be sure to remove all the unsightly blemishes and leave your crocs looking as if they were brand new? Well, then you’ll have to bring out the serious chemicals.
How To Clean Your Crocs With Bleach
If you have a pair of crocs that have yellowing stains or hardened dirt that you just can’t get rid of. If you soak your crocs in bleach, then you can be sure that you’ll have a pair that comes back clean and sparkling.
However, when you are handling caustic materials like this, then you’ll need to make sure that the area has been prepped a little bit more. This is because bleach is not only very corrosive, but it will also leave a very toxic smell.
Here’s how you go about cleaning your crocs with bleach:
Fill a bowl with lukewarm water – again, you’ll want to avoid using the hot stuff, as this will scald your hands and make cleaning your crocs that little bit more difficult.
Make sure you wear rubber gloves – if you apply bleach directly to your skin, then you might experience some burning and a rash. Under no circumstances should you handle bleach without some sort of glove.
Add a small cap of bleach – you won’t want to add too much bleach, a sit might damage the constitution of your crocs and be too overpowering for you to handle.
Submerge your crocs in the bleach – make sure that one or both crocs are completely submerged in the water. Leave them in there for a few seconds at a time. You can also wipe them with a dishcloth to remove any dry dirt and mud.
Once you have done this, you can rinse off the dirt with hot water. Make sure you have removed most of the muck before you leave them out to dry.
You can also use a toothbrush to scrub off any hard-to-remove dirt. Although make sure you do not use this brush for anything else afterward!
Once your crocs look completely clean, then you should leave them to air dry.
Once you have air-dried them, then you might want to rinse them one more time, especially if there is a chemical smell to them.
Make sure that the formula of bleach that you are using is quite weak. If you do not want to use regular bleach, then we would suggest an eco-friendly version or something like formula 409, which will be naturally weaker.
But what about if you are wearing your crocs out and you need to give them a quick clean. You won’t always have access to a bowl, so it is important to know what you can use when you are cleaning on the go.
How To Clean Your Crocs On The Go
The best method of cleaning your crocs is by taking wipes with you. Having a handy pack of wipes in your handbag or backpack will be great for wiping down your crocs.
These wipes are very easy to carry and will usually be very light, so they won’t weigh down your handbag too much.
This is probably the most practical way to clean your crocs, although you might not be able able to get into some of the nooks and crannies of your crocs. This is great for getting rid of superficial stains and smears. If you have thicker mud, then you’ll want to employ some of the deep cleaning strategies above.
But how can you best clean the strap on your crocs? This is one of the areas that will accumulate dirt and grim and actually impede the functionality of your crocs. You’ll need to employ decent tactics when cleaning this part of your shoes.
How Can You Clean The Strap On Your Crocs?
If you are cleaning your crocs in a rush, then you might neglect the strap that goes over the top of your foot. This will keep your foot secured when you are walking in the heart outdoors or otherwise.
If you are not cleaning your crocs under this strap, then you might experience some difficulty in getting your crocs on in the first place and they might even become uncomfortable to wear.
You can often miss some the gunk that gets trapped under the surface of your strap. It can become clogged underneath, leading to the overall deterioration of your crocs.
All you have to do is make sure that all of the dry dirt is excavated from the hinge. If this hinge becomes blocked, then it will certainly become uncomfortable.
We would recommend getting into these grooves with a toothbrush, as the dirt will often get trapped in there. Make sure to use warm and soapy water when you do this.
What Is Croc Shine?
This is a specially formulated polish that is designed to remove dirt and grime from the surface of your crocs. You can get this at most DIY or supermarket. We would recommend trying Walmart or Amazon for this polish.
This croc shine is designed to be used after you have applied the usual cleaning procedure. You’ll need to make sure that your crocs are semi-dry before you apply this shine. Make sure that you apply it as directed on the bottle.
How To Clean Crocs That Are Covered In Fur
Some crocs come with fur that is non-removable. The good news is that these crocs can also be cleaned fairly easily.
You’ll have to make sure that your crocs are rinsed well and that you have allowed them to dry completely as you might see the fur getting matted and ultimately damaged in the long run.
You’ll want to clean your crocs using the soap and water method that we’ve mentioned above. This way you can make sure that you won’t damage the fibers that are covering your crocs. Here is a step-by-step guide for cleaning your crocs with fur.
Fill a large bowl – make sure that the water is warm. As we have stated above, if the water is too hot, then you might have trouble putting your hands in.
Add some washing powder – add about a tablespoon of this time and swill it around until it has made a soapy lather.
Submerge your crocs – put the whole croc, fur and all, into the bowl, washing it gently over the whole area.
If your crocs are very dirty and you notice the water turning from white to grey or dark brown, then throw out the old water and replace it with clean warm water with soap.
Matted fur – if your fur is matted with dirt, then we would recommend that you massage the soap and water until the dirt has become loose. Try not to pull at the fur, otherwise, some of the fibers will come out.
Once your fir is clean, you’ll want to rinse it. You might want to repeat this process a few times until the fur is completely clean. You might even have to wait for it to try to inspect it before washing it again.
Dry with paper towels – once you have washed the crocs thoroughly, then you should pat down the area with a paper towel.
To dry the fur, place the crocs in a well-ventilated area where the fur can dry slowly. This way you can be sure that it will not shrink or damage the lining.
If you can, try not to leave the crocs in direct sunlight, as this will damage the lining and might discolor the fur. If you have a dehumidifier, then use this near your crocs to speed up the drying process.
Once you have done this, you should have gotten rid of the bacteria and the dirt that has accumulated in the fur of your crocs.
We would always recommend that you hand-wash your crocs, as putting them in the wash might lead them to become warped or distorted.
How To Wash Your Fur Crocs With Baking Soda
This is another great method of cleaning the fur on your crocs. Baking soda is a very non-caustic substance that will clean your fur thoroughly and even maintain the original color of your crocs.
Here’s our step-by-step guide for cleaning your crocs:
Mix – take some warm water in a bucket or basin and mix in the baking soda or white vinegar. Stir it around it it has formed a kind of paste.
Massage this paste into the fur – gently massage this paste into the fur of your crocs. Once again, make sure to do this gently so that the fibers of your crocs do not come out.
Once you are confident that your crocs are completely clean, then you should rinse this off with cold water. You can also submerge your crocs completely until they are completely free of baking soda.
Drying – once you have washed your crocs thoroughly, dry off the excess with a paper towel. Then once you have done this, leave them in a dry and cool area until the water has completely evaporated.
Do not put your furry crocs in a dryer – the high temperature of the dry is a surefire way of damaging the fibers of your shoes. Make sure that your crocs dry slowly.
You can also use baking soda to get rid of any foul smells that might be coming off your crocs. Heres’ how:
Take some dry baking powder and sprinkle it over the fur in your crocs. Make sure that you sprinkle it all evenly over the surface.
Leave it overnight.
Once it has completely gotten into the fibers of your crocs, then take a small vacuum cleaner and hoover up the excess baking soda.
Once this is done, then brush off the excess with a small brush, making sure it has all gotten out of the tiny gaps in the fibers.
Applying this method to your furry crocs is a great method of getting rid of smells. Because it is made from fibers, it will accumulate lingering odors a lot easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will My Crocs Clean In A Washing Machine?
Your crocs could be put in the washing machine, but it would cause them a lot of damage because of the high temperatures.
The plastic of your crocs will warp and if they are covered in fur, possible detaching the lining which secured the fur to the crocs. It is always better to wash your crocs slowly and by hand.
Can I Dry My Crocs Quicker In A Tumble Dryer?
Again, there’s nothing stopping you from putting your crocs in the hand-dryer, however, the heat will cause the plastic to distort and possibly even shrink.
A dryer will also scorch the furs on any crocs. This is important for preserving the overall longevity of your crocs.
Can I Restore My Crocs To Their Original Color?
The best method of getting your crocs back to their original color and texture is by applying one of the cleaning textures above.
Over time it is inevitable that crocs will accumulate bacteria, which will make them start to smell. The odor will often age a piece of clothing to the point where you might not want to wear them for much longer.
If you want to restore them as close to their original scent as possible, then you should use the baking soda or magic eraser method we have mentioned above.
Conclusion
We hope that this article has given you a better understanding on how to thoroughly clean your crocs, with and without fur lining.
Hi, my name is Jenna Reign and I have teamed up with my best friend, Sam, to deliver you all of the style secrets to help you stay ahead of the trends. We both met in fashion school and have been inseparable ever since!
Despite our deep love for fashion, even we found it difficult navigating our closets when trying to leave the house for the first time since the pandemic was announced. Were the trends still evolving, or did they get put on hold like the rest of the world?
