To clean Crocs, scrub classic clogs with mild soap, cold water and a soft brush, rinse, and let them air dry away from sun and heat. Fuzzy and fleece-lined Crocs get a damp rag with mild soap on the liner instead of a soak, and the liner has to dry completely before you wear them again. Crocs says all styles should be air dried only, because extreme heat can shrink or warp them.
SneakerSalt is not affiliated with Crocs.
What Crocs are made of
The Classic Clog is made of Croslite, Crocs' own foam material; Crocs notes that shoes made entirely of Croslite contain no latex. Lined clogs are a Croslite shell with a fuzzy liner inside. Crocs lists the kids' liner as 100% polyester and doesn't say what the adult one is.
Crocs also makes styles in canvas, vegan suede, nappa leather and patent, and those need their own care, covered further down. The cleaning that suits a Croslite shell is close to the opposite of what leather wants, so check which you have.
How to clean classic Crocs, step by step
- Take the charms out. Pop out any Jibbitz so you can clean the holes they sit in. Rinse the charms separately.
- Rinse off the loose dirt. Cold water from the tap, or knock dried mud off first.
- Mix mild soap into cold water. Crocs asks for "neutral detergents like clear soap or mild laundry powder."
- Brush the texture. A soft brush in small circles over the dimpled surface, the vent holes, the nubs inside the footbed and the tread underneath. A cloth glides over the texture; bristles get into it.
- Rinse in cold water until the suds are gone.
- Air dry. Shake out the water and leave them somewhere airy in the shade. Crocs' UK site says a fan can speed drying up, and to keep them away from direct sunlight and forced-air heaters.
That is the whole job for an ordinary dirty pair, and most of the time it takes about as long as reading this list. A deep clean is the same steps done twice, with more time on the brush.
How to clean fuzzy, fur-lined and fleece-lined Crocs
The liner changes the method. Crocs' instruction for fleece styles is to "clean with mild soap and a damp rag", with a machine's gentle cycle as the alternative.
- Clean the shell first, as above, holding the clog so water runs off the outside rather than into the liner.
- Dab the liner with a rag dampened in mild soapy water. Work it into the dirty areas, especially the heel and the footbed.
- Take the soap back out with a second rag dampened in plain water, so none is left in the fleece.
- Press out the moisture with a dry towel pushed into the toe and heel.
- Let the liner dry right through before wearing. It takes much longer than the shell.
We couldn't confirm from Crocs' current pages whether the liner is meant to come out, so don't force it. Our foam hasn't been tested on fleece or fuzzy liners, so we would use the damp rag here too.
Getting stains out of Crocs
- Ground-in dirt: another round with the soft brush and more time in the texture. Dirt sits in the dimples, so bristle beats sponge.
- Scuffs and black marks: a melamine sponge is the usual suggestion. It is a fine abrasive, so wet it, use light pressure, and test a hidden area first, as its maker advises. The same maker lists dark surfaces among those it isn't recommended for, which rules it out on black Crocs.
- Mud: let it dry, knock it off outside, then wash.
- Ink, marker and dye: Texas A&M's stain guide calls dye stains very difficult to remove, and we know of no reliable method for Croslite. Try soap first and accept that a mark may stay.
White pairs show all of this more, and yellowing comes into it; we cover white Crocs separately.
Leather, canvas and suede-look Crocs
- Nappa leather: Crocs' advice is to dust it off, wipe it with a damp rag, then apply a waxy shoe cream or wax.
- Patent: a wipe with a damp cloth; Crocs says to avoid alcohol and detergent.
- Canvas and vegan suede: Crocs warns against "enzyme-based or strong soaps, which can cause yellowing" on these styles. Mild soap only.
This is the one corner of the Crocs range where our foam belongs. SneakerSalt Shoe Cleaning Foam is rated excellent on canvas, on white leather and on patent, has no enzymes or bleach, and comes with a brush and a cloth. On coloured leather, test an inside spot first. Vegan suede is a synthetic, not suede, and isn't on our tested list.
Drying Crocs without shrinking them
Heat is the main risk to a Croslite clog. Crocs warns that "exposure to extreme heat can cause the shoes to shrink or warp", and lists hot cars and long, intense sun among the things to avoid. That rules out the tumble dryer, a radiator, a hair dryer and leaving them on a sunny windowsill to dry fast. Shade and a fan are as quick as it gets.
Can Crocs go in the washing machine or dishwasher?
Crocs' own sites disagree. The US site allows a gentle cycle for styles made only of Croslite, while the UK FAQ says Crocs should only be hand washed and that machine washing is at your own risk. We cover that conflict, and the settings, in a separate guide. For a pair that only needs a clean, a bowl and a brush is quicker than a wash cycle. Our washing machine guide covers what a drum does to shoes in general.
The dishwasher is a popular hack. We found no shoe maker that recommends it, and a dishwasher runs hot, which is the condition Crocs warns about.
Why Crocs smell, and what helps
The NHS puts smelly feet down to a build-up of sweat and bacteria on the feet, and fungal infections like athlete's foot. Classic clogs can simply be washed. Lined pairs are harder, because the liner holds sweat and takes a long time to dry. What helps:
- Dry them completely between wears, and don't wear the same pair two days in a row, as the NHS advises.
- Sprinkle baking soda into a dry liner, leave it a day, then shake it out.
- Clean the liner with the damp-rag method above, then dry it fully.
Cleaning removes the grime that holds the smell; it doesn't treat what causes it. The insoles and odour guide has more.
How to keep Crocs clean
- Rinse them under the tap after a muddy or sandy day, before the dirt dries into the texture.
- Store them out of the sun, and never in a car in summer; that is the heat Crocs warns about.
- For lined pairs, wear socks if you can, and let the liner air out overnight after every wear.
- Skip strong, enzyme-based detergents on any style. Crocs links them to yellowing on canvas and vegan suede, and mild soap is all a Croslite clog needs.
Questions people actually ask
Are Crocs easy to clean?
Classic ones are. Soap, cold water and a soft brush handle most dirt in a few minutes. Lined pairs take longer, mostly because of drying time.
Can I use Clorox wipes on Crocs?
Crocs' own care advice is neutral detergents such as clear soap or mild laundry powder. A soapy cloth does what a wipe does without guessing what is in the wipe.
Can I put my Crocs with fur in the dryer?
No. Crocs says all styles should be air dried only, and heat can shrink or warp the shell.
Can I wash fur-lined Crocs?
Yes, gently. Crocs' method for fleece styles is mild soap and a damp rag, or a gentle machine cycle with as little heat as possible. Either way, the liner must be completely dry before you wear them.
For the canvas and leather styles, and the sneakers next to your Crocs: SneakerSalt Shoe Cleaning Foam, $24, brush and cloth included, free shipping, and keep the bottle if it doesn't work.
