How to Clean Crocs

To clean Crocs, brush off loose dirt, then wash them by hand with a soft brush or cloth and a little mild dish soap in cool or lukewarm water — not hot, since the Croslite foam can warp or shrink in heat. Scrub gently inside and out, rinse with clean water, and air dry in a shady spot away from direct heat or sunlight. For white Crocs, a baking soda paste helps brighten them; for odors, sprinkle baking soda inside overnight. Never machine dry them. Here’s the full guide, including fuzzy and fur-lined pairs.

What you’ll need to clean Crocs

Can Crocs go in the washing machine?

Hand washing in cool water is the safest method and what Crocs recommends — it’s gentle on the Croslite foam. You can machine wash them in a pinch, but repeated washing can warp them, and too much heat can shrink them, so it’s not the best routine choice.

If you do machine wash: use the gentlest cycle and cold water, add a little laundry detergent, and wash them on their own or with a few towels for cushioning. Never put Crocs in the dryer — air dry them in a warm, dry, shady place instead.

How to clean white Crocs

White Crocs show dirt quickly but clean up well. To restore that bright white, you’ll want to do a bit more than a basic wash.

Materials

• Cool or lukewarm water
• Dish soap
• Old toothbrush
• Towel
• Baking soda

Steps

Give them a quick rinse with cool water to release dust. Add dish soap to cool or lukewarm water in a bucket (not hot — heat can warp the foam). Soak the Crocs for at least ten minutes, but no more than thirty. Take them out and use an old toothbrush to clean inside the crevices. Rub a damp towel dipped in baking soda over the Crocs, repeating until they lighten. Wipe them down again with the damp cloth, then let them air dry.

How to clean Crocs with baking soda

Baking soda lifts dirt and stains well. First, brush off any loose dirt with a soft brush or cloth. In a small bowl, mix baking soda with enough water to form a paste. Work the paste into the stained areas with a cloth or brush, let it sit a few minutes, then scrub gently. Rinse the shoes thoroughly with clean water and air dry, or dry with a towel.

How to clean fuzzy Crocs

Crocs with the faux-fur lining aren’t much harder — just remember to clean the inside too. Mix a few tablespoons of laundry detergent into two cups of cool water. In a basin or tub, work it over the Crocs inside and out, scrubbing the inside fabric with a soft scrub brush. Rinse well and hang them up in a cool, shady spot to dry. Avoid heat, which can damage both the foam and the lining.

How to clean fur-lined Crocs without matting the fur

Real or sheepskin-style fur linings need a gentler, mostly dry approach. An absorbent powder that blends with the lining’s color works best. Dust the lining thoroughly with the powder, rotating the Crocs so it reaches every crevice. Let them sit with the powder for a few hours, then shake it out well. Fluff the fur with a soft brush, brushing in a single direction so the fur doesn’t curl. This refreshes the lining and keeps it soft and cozy without soaking it.

How to clean lined Crocs

Lined Crocs can hold onto stains and odors, so they take a little more care. Brush off loose dirt first. Mix a few drops of mild soap, like dish soap, into cool or lukewarm water in a bucket. Clean the shoes, going easy on the lining itself since it takes longer to dry and can retain odors if soaked. Scrub gently with a clean towel or brush, focusing on stains, then rinse out all the soap with clean water. Air dry, or towel dry, and take the insole out to dry separately. Once dry, a protectant spray or conditioner helps resist future stains, and a magic eraser handles any leftover scuffs.

How to clean Crocs that smell

Baking soda is the most effective deodorizer for Crocs. Sprinkle a layer inside each shoe, then seal them in a large zip-lock bag and wait 12 to 24 hours. Wipe out the baking soda with a paper towel and rinse with cool water to leave them fresh. For lined Crocs, make sure they’re fully dry afterward, since trapped moisture is what causes odors in the first place.

Can I soak my Crocs to clean them?

Yes — a short soak helps loosen dirt and stains. A few options:

• Soapy water: combine a little mild dish soap with cool or lukewarm water. Soak the Crocs a few minutes, scrub with a brush or cloth, and rinse thoroughly.
• White vinegar and water: mix white vinegar with water (diluted, not equal parts, to be safe on colors). Soak briefly, scrub, and rinse well. Good for odors.
• Baking soda and water: apply a baking soda paste to dirty areas, soak briefly in cool water, scrub, and rinse.
• Oxygen bleach: mix oxygen bleach with cool water per the package directions, soak briefly, scrub, and rinse. (Oxygen bleach is gentler than chlorine bleach.)

Keep all soaks in cool or lukewarm water and don’t soak longer than needed — prolonged soaking and heat are what risk warping the foam.

Soaking solutions compared

How do I make my Crocs look new again?

A thorough clean restores most of that like-new look:

• Brush off loose dirt and debris with a soft brush or cloth.
• Add a few drops of mild soap to cool or lukewarm water in a bucket.
• Soak the shoes and scrub gently with a towel or brush, focusing on stains.
• Rinse off all the soap with clean water.
• Air dry, or dry thoroughly with a towel, away from direct heat.
• Once dry, apply a protectant spray or conditioner to resist future dirt and stains.
• Use a magic eraser to lift any remaining scuffs.
• For a fresh look, you can even recolor faded Crocs with a paint made for synthetic/rubber materials.

Because Crocs are a synthetic foam, a magic eraser or paint can change their feel and look, so always test on a hidden spot first.