How to Clean and Wash Crocs (Hand, Machine, White and 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. Yes, you can wash Crocs in the washing machine too: classic foam pairs can go on a cold gentle cycle with mild detergent, but 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 is how to wash Crocs by hand or in the washing machine, how to clean white Crocs, how to dry fuzzy liners, and how to fix smells.
What you’ll 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, plus a shady spot (or a fan) to air-dry
How to wash Crocs by hand (best default)
- Pop out Jibbitz charms and shake out grit from the holes and footbed.
- Rinse under cold or lukewarm water to loosen mud and sand.
- Add a drop of mild dish soap to water, or work a little soap onto a damp cloth.
- Scrub the outside, tread, and inside footbed with a soft brush. Pay attention to the heel cup and strap where sweat builds up.
- Rinse until the water runs clear and no soap film remains.
- 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. You can put Crocs in the washing machine if they are classic clogs, slides, or Crocs sandals 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.
- Remove charms. Empty pockets of sand.
- Use cold water and a gentle/delicate cycle. A small amount of mild detergent is enough.
- Wash alone or with towels so the clogs don’t bang against zippers or hard hardware.
- 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
- Remove charms. Rinse with cool water.
- Mix mild dish soap into cool or lukewarm water in a bucket or sink.
- Soak 10 to 30 minutes. Don’t use hot water.
- Scrub crevices and the tread with a toothbrush.
- For dull gray spots, dampen a cloth, dip it in baking soda, and rub until the foam lightens.
- Rinse thoroughly. Air-dry in the shade so the white does not yellow from heat.
Baking soda paste for stains
- Brush off dry dirt first so you’re not grinding grit into the foam.
- Mix baking soda with a little water into a thick paste.
- Work the paste into stains. Wait a few minutes, then scrub gently.
- Rinse thoroughly and air-dry.
A magic eraser can lift light scuffs after a small spot test. Don’t grind hard or you’ll dull the surface. Skip acetone, bleach baths on colored pairs, boiling water, and dishwasher heat-dry.
How to clean the inside of Crocs that smell
- Wash the exterior and footbed as in the hand-wash steps above.
- Sprinkle baking soda inside. Leave overnight, then shake out outdoors.
- 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.
- Let pairs dry completely between wears. Residual moisture in the heel cup is what keeps odor around.
For sneakers and other pairs that still smell, see how to get rid of shoe odors.
Fuzzy, lined, and fur-lined Crocs
To clean fluffy Crocs, remember the 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. Some fleece styles tolerate a gentle cold machine cycle. If you try it, use minimal detergent and air-dry only.
How to dry fur lined Crocs: press out as much water as you can with a towel, then stuff each shoe loosely with dry towels or paper towels. Stand the pair in a well-ventilated spot at room temperature and swap the stuffing when it gets damp. Wait until the lining feels completely dry before the next wear, then brush the fuzz lightly to fluff it. Don’t use a heat dryer, hair dryer, or radiator on fleece or faux fur.
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’s optional, not required. Avoid solvent cleaners and harsh chemicals that can damage the foam or adhesives.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, if the pair is made only of Croslite foam, such as classic clogs, slides, and Crocs sandals. Remove the charms, use a cold gentle or delicate cycle with a little mild detergent, and air-dry. Skip the machine for leather, suede, or heavily glued styles, and never put Crocs in the dryer.
No. Heat and harsh detergent can warp them. Hand-wash or use a cold gentle laundry cycle instead.
No. Don’t use bleach as a routine whitener. Chlorine bleach can degrade foam and leave residue that irritates skin. Use mild soap, baking soda, and shade drying instead.
Wipe with mild soapy water, rinse, and dry fully before snapping them back in.
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’ deep cleaning covers deep vacuuming and mopping of floors, including tracked-in dirt at the entryway. Book a cleaning online. For another heat-sensitive accessory, see how to clean hats.