How to Clean Crocs (Hand Wash, Machine Wash, White & Fuzzy)

To clean Crocs, rinse off loose dirt, then hand-wash the Croslite foam with mild soap and cold or lukewarm water. Scrub inside and out with a soft brush, rinse well, and air-dry in the shade away from heaters. Classic foam pairs can also go on a cold gentle machine cycle with mild detergent; never use a heat dryer. White pairs brighten with a baking-soda paste, and overnight baking soda inside helps with odor. Remove Jibbitz charms first. Below: hand wash, machine wash, white Crocs, fuzzy liners, and smell fixes.

What you will need

• Soft brush or old toothbrush
• Mild dish soap or gentle laundry detergent
• Cold or lukewarm water (not hot)
• Baking soda for white pairs and odor
• Clean towel for blotting; shady spot (or a fan) to air-dry

How to hand-wash Crocs (best default)

1. Pop out Jibbitz charms and shake out grit from the holes and footbed.
2. Rinse under cold or lukewarm water to loosen mud and sand.
3. Add a drop of mild dish soap to water, or work a little soap onto a damp cloth.
4. Scrub the outside, tread, and inside footbed with a soft brush. Pay attention to the heel cup and strap where sweat builds up.
5. Rinse until the water runs clear and no soap film remains.
6. Blot with a towel. Air-dry completely in the shade. A circulating fan speeds drying; skip direct sun, radiators, and hot cars.

Can you wash Crocs in the washing machine?

Yes, for classic clogs, slides, and other styles made only of Croslite foam. Crocs lists a delicate or gentle cycle with gentle laundry detergent as an approved option. Hand washing is still the safest everyday method if the pair is lightly soiled.

1. Remove charms. Empty pockets of sand.
2. Use cold water and a gentle/delicate cycle. A small amount of mild detergent is enough.
3. Wash alone or with towels so the clogs do not bang against zippers or hard hardware.
4. Never put Crocs in the dryer. Heat warps and shrinks Croslite. Air-dry only, same as after a hand wash.

Skip the machine for heavily glued styles, leather, suede, or anything the care label warns against. When in doubt, hand-wash.

How to clean white Crocs

1. Remove charms. Rinse with cool water.
2. Mix mild dish soap into cool or lukewarm water in a bucket or sink.
3. Soak 10 to 30 minutes. Do not use hot water.
4. Scrub crevices and the tread with a toothbrush.
5. For dull gray spots, dampen a cloth, dip it in baking soda, and rub until the foam lightens.
6. Rinse thoroughly. Air-dry in the shade so the white does not yellow from heat.

Baking soda paste for stains

1. Brush off dry dirt first so you are not grinding grit into the foam.
2. Mix baking soda with a little water into a thick paste.
3. Work the paste into stains. Wait a few minutes, then scrub gently.
4. Rinse thoroughly and air-dry.

A magic eraser can lift light scuffs after a small spot test. Do not grind hard or you will dull the surface. Skip acetone, bleach baths on colored pairs, boiling water, and dishwasher heat-dry.

How to clean the inside of Crocs (and fix odor)

1. Wash the exterior and footbed as in the hand-wash steps above.
2. Sprinkle baking soda inside. Leave overnight, then shake out outdoors.
3. For stubborn smell, wipe the footbed with a cloth dampened in a little diluted white vinegar, follow with a clean water wipe, then air-dry fully.
4. Let pairs dry completely between wears. Residual moisture in the heel cup is what keeps odor around.

Fuzzy, lined, and fur-lined Crocs

Lined linings usually are not removable. Spot-clean the foam shell with a damp soapy cloth rather than soaking the liner. Gently clean the fuzz with warm water and mild soap on a cloth, then blot. Stuff lightly with dry towels and air-dry completely. Do not use a heat dryer on fleece or faux fur. Some fleece styles tolerate a gentle cold machine cycle; if you try it, use minimal detergent and air-dry only.

Do you need a special Crocs cleaner?

Mild soap and water cover most everyday dirt. Crocs also sells a Shine sponge polish for restoring surface gloss on foam styles after cleaning. It is optional, not required. Avoid solvent cleaners and harsh chemicals that can damage the foam or adhesives.

Frequently asked questions

Can I put Crocs in the dishwasher?
No. Heat and harsh detergent risk warping. Hand-wash or use a cold gentle laundry cycle instead.

Is bleach OK on white Crocs?
Skip chlorine bleach as a routine whitener. It can degrade foam and leave residue that irritates skin. Prefer mild soap, baking soda, and shade drying.

How do I clean Jibbitz charms?
Wipe with mild soapy water, rinse, and dry fully before snapping them back in.

Why did my Crocs shrink or warp?
Heat. Dryers, hot water, dishwashers, dashboards, and direct sun can deform Croslite. Stick to cool water and air-drying.

Final cautions

• No heat dryer, no hot water soaks, no dishwasher
• Remove charms before washing
• Air-dry fuzzy liners completely before the next wear
• Hand wash for light soil; cold gentle machine wash is fine for classic foam when needed

Crocs are a quick DIY clean; mud rooms and floors take more work. Pro Housekeepers’ regular cleaning and deep cleaning keep entryways and living areas in shape, and how to clean hats covers another heat-sensitive accessory.