White Crocs are undeniably comfortable and convenient footwear for all ages. However, their bright white color tends to show dirt, grime, and stains easily over time. If you’re considering a pair of white Crocs, it’s reasonable to wonder – do white Crocs get dirty?
The short answer is yes. Like any white shoe, white Crocs are prone to getting visibly dirty with regular wear. But with some extra care and cleaning, you can keep them looking fresh for a long time. Read on as we dive deeper into why white Crocs get dirty, how fast it happens, tips to keep them clean, and restore brightness when needed.
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Why White Crocs Get Dirty Easily?
White Crocs get dirty easily for a few key reasons related to their color, materials, and intended use:
- The nature of white color – White fabrics and materials readily show dirt, stains, and discoloration that can be less visible on darker colors. Over time, white fades and takes on a dull, yellowish tinge as it gets dirty.
- Porous croslite material – The signature croslite foam resin Crocs are made from has tiny holes throughout for ventilation. Debris, grime, and liquids can easily get lodged inside.
- Intended for casual, outdoor wear – Crocs are marketed as no-fuss shoes for running errands, walking the dog, garden work, boating, and more. Such activities expose them to dirt and spills more than typical sneakers or dress shoes.
- Grooved tread collects gunk – The distinct textured sole holds onto sticky substances like mud or tar. Tiny pebbles and particles also get stuck.
- Prone to scuffs and stains – The soft, malleable croslite mars and discolors more readily than leather or rubber with scrapes and spills.
With heavy, prolonged use outdoors, white Crocs will show grime build-up. But don’t let that stop you from purchasing them! With extra attention while wearing and frequent cleaning, you can maintain a fresh look much of the time.
How Fast Do White Crocs Get Dirty?
A brand new pair of bright white Crocs will stay clean and scuff-free for the first few weeks if you mostly wear them indoors or run quick errands. However, with more extended outdoor use, signs of dirt, stains, and fading will emerge.
On average, with careful use primarily inside and gentle, weekly cleanings, white Crocs should maintain decent cleanliness for 6 months to 1 year.
But intensive outdoor activities or messy environments will visibly dirty white Crocs much faster – in 2-3 months of regular wear. Extreme cases like wading through mud result in instant obvious stains and muck trapped in holes.
Kids tend to be harder on footwear, while playing sports or hiking, quickly making white Crocs dingy after 1-2 months.
The rate white Crocs get dirty also depends where and how often you wear them:
- Wearing frequently for garden work – Dirty within 2 weeks
- Taking your dog on daily walks – Noticeable stains in 1 month
- Running errands around town – Scuffs emerge after 2-3 months
- Wearing to the office – Stay clean for 4-6 months
No matter what, don’t toss your white Crocs just because they look dirty! With good care and cleaning habits, you can refresh them repeatedly to get more life out of your investment.
Tips to Keep White Crocs Clean
While white Crocs will inevitably get dirty at some point, you can prolong their clean appearance by following these pro tips:
1. Spray With Protectant Before First Wears
- When brand new out of the box, spray your white Crocs liberally with a protectant spray formulated for plastics and rubber
- Let the protectant soak in fully before wearing for the first time
- Waterproofing helps prevent immediate stains from dampness, mud, or spills
- Do periodic touch-up applications every 2-3 months
2. Add Insoles or Inserts
- Insoles create a barrier between your feet and the inside holes where gunk collects
- Disposable insoles easily refresh whenever dirty or worn out
- Comfy gel inserts likewise protect the raw foam and are removable to clean separately
3. Frequently Wipe Down After Wearing
- Whether indoors or out, gently wipe Crocs with a dry or barely damp microfiber cloth after each use
- This instantly whisks away dust, surface debris, and dampness before it sets in
- For thorough drying and debris removal after muddy or wet conditions, use an old toothbrush
4. Wash Every 1-2 Weeks
- Even with light wear mainly inside, wash white Crocs every week or two
- Use a mild laundry detergent and toothbrush to scrub gently
- More intensive outdoor use requires washing more often to prevent lasting stains
5. Avoid Bleach and Heat
- Bleach and other harsh chemicals can degrade or discolor the croslite material
- Air dry out of direct sun to prevent fading or warping – never put in the dryer!
6. Touch Up Scuffs
- Shallow surface scuffs and marks come out with magic eraser sponges
- For deeper gashes that expose the foam, apply white enamel paint or nail polish to camouflage
See also: Caring for the Inside of Your Leather Shoes
How To Clean Dirty White Crocs?
Over time, even well-cared for white Crocs will get grimy with wear and need a refresh. You’ll know it’s time to clean when:
- Visible dirt or debris is stuck on the surface or tread
- Stains have set in that don’t wipe away
- A yellowish tinge or water marks make them look dull
- Lingering odors develop
Avoid tossing dingy white Crocs! In most cases, you can restore them with simple cleaning methods using household ingredients.
1. Baking Soda and Vinegar Paste
The classic DIY cleaner, baking soda, and vinegar effectively breaks down organic matter while lifting stains gently.
- Make a paste of 2-3 tablespoons each baking soda and white vinegar plus water
- Using an old toothbrush, scrub entire surface with paste
- Let sit 5 minutes before rinsing – repeat if needed on tough stains
- Washes away odors too
2. Diluted Hydrogen Peroxide
The bubbly power of hydrogen peroxide whitens Crocs by chemically lifting stains out of the plastic.
- In a bowl, mix 1 part hydrogen peroxide to 4 parts water
- Submerge Crocs and let soak 10-20 minutes
- Scrub with toothbrush and rinse clean
- Avoid using higher concentration peroxide solutions as it could damage the material
3. Magic Eraser
The melamine foam construction of Magic Erasers makes them ideal for buffing scuffs off white Crocs with a gentle abrasive cleaning.
- Wet Magic Eraser then wring out excess moisture
- In a circular motion, buff stained or dull areas to remove top layer of grime
- Rinse foam residue after finishing
Pro Tip: For combination stains and buildup, try cleaning white Crocs in stages – bake soda paste, hydrogen peroxide soak, magic eraser buffing, and thorough rinse.
How To Whiten Yellowed White Crocs?
No matter how careful you are, after months or years of wear, white Crocs inevitably fade to an ugly yellowish tinge. All is not lost! Re-whitening them is simple and effective to make dingy Crocs look brand new.
1. Bleach Soak
When all else fails to lift stubborn stains, the oxidizing power of chlorine bleach makes it the go-to for whitening faded white fabrics. With some care, it works similarly to re-brighten Crocs.
- In bucket or basin, mix 2 tablespoons bleach per 1 cup of cool water
- Soak Crocs 15-30 minutes
- Check periodically to avoid over-bleaching
- Rinse extremely thoroughly after to remove all bleach residue
Caution: Prolonged bleach soaking or high concentrations can degrade croslite material. Spot test first.
2. Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda
For a gentler approach than bleach, this bubbly duo gives lackluster white Crocs their glow back.
- Combine hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and water to make a thick paste
- Apply paste to all surfaces with toothbrush
- Let sit 30+ minutes, then scrub and rinse
- Repeat as needed for severe yellowing
3. Whitening Toothpaste
The low-abrasion cleaning ingredients in whitening toothpaste remove superficial yellow staining safely.
- Squeeze toothpaste directly on Crocs surface
- Gently scrub all over with an old toothbrush
- Rinse thoroughly when finished
- Avoid gel toothpaste varieties for best results
With a little time and elbow grease, you can make dingy Crocs look close to new again using simple homemade whitening methods.
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Can You Put White Crocs In The Washing Machine?
It’s tempting to toss dirty white Crocs straight in the laundry to let the machine work its magic. However, putting Crocs of any color in a washing machine risks damage. The intense agitation and hot water can:
- Warp or misshape Crocs soles
- Cause decorative charms or Jibbitz to fall off
- Promote cracks or tears in the material
- Lead to excessive fading of colors
Play it safe by always hand washing Crocs instead of machine washing. If you’ve already machine washed them, carefully check Crocs over before wearing again to spot any issues. Stop putting them in the washer and hand wash from now on.
With extra gentle care, you can still machine dry Crocs in most cases without harm by using the delicates or air dry setting. But be cautious of high heat – air drying is best.
Can White Crocs Be Bleached Safely?
As we covered earlier, using some bleach is an effective way to remove stubborn stains and re-whiten dingy Crocs. But take care, as the oxidative chemicals can degrade croslite material when overused.
Here are some precautions when bleaching white Crocs:
- Spot test bleach solutions first
- Use moderate bleach concentrations – 2 tbsp per 1 cup water
- Limit soak times to 15-20 minutes
- Thoroughly rinse off all bleach residue
- Allow to fully air dry before wearing again
- Bleach no more than once every 4-6 months
With responsible occasional bleaching when desperately needed, you can safely restore white Crocs without damage. But more frequent or intense bleaching increases the risks. Evaluate the level of stains – for mild discoloration, try gentler hydrogen peroxide first.
Will White Crocs Stain My Feet?
Some new Crocs wearers worry that the foam material may rub off on bare skin, marking feet yellow. But fear not – while white Crocs inevitably will get dirty, that discoloration and grime will not stain feet.
The croslite foam is non-toxic, water-resistant, and non-absorbent. So soil and stains remain only on the shoe surface itself. No pigment, oils, or residue rub off onto your feet. Wearing and washing continuously dirty Crocs could potentially cause odor or germ transfer to foot skin over time. But you won’t end up with lasting discoloration or marks on your actual skin.
The ventilation holes do allow dirt particles and liquid through with heavy wear, which may temporarily soil feet. But a good washing eliminates the issue. White Crocs only threaten white socks in extreme cases of ground-in muck.
Will White Crocs Get Less Dirty Over Time?
You might think frequent dirtying and cleaning would make older white Crocs more stain resistant. However unfortunately, that’s not the case. With heavy usage spanning months or years:
- The porous foam material slowly breaks down
- More gaps and eroded spots trap gunk
- Fading and previous stains make new dirt more obvious
Soiled and damaged white Crocs actually become magnets for even more grime build-up compared to new ones straight out of the box. Keeping them regularly cleaned and conditioned with a protectant spray is key to help resist staining as long as possible.
But inevitably, heavily worn white Crocs will require replacement at some point when cleaning no longer restores an acceptable appearance. With gentle indoor use, most white Crocs stay respectable for up to 1 year before reaching that condition.
Credit: cleanerdigs.com
Do White Crocs Fit The Same As Classic Colors?
Crocs are unique in that the material has flexibility to mold comfortably around individual feet. So beyond standard US shoe sizes, Crocs adapt based on foot shape. This gives a “customized” fit.
Importantly, while certain style varieties do run small or large, the white croslite material used is identical in pliability, density, and sizing to classic black, navy or other colors.
So you can confidently order your typical Crocs size range in white, knowing the fit will be the same as other shades you’ve purchased. Try both your smaller and larger size if between sizes to determine ideal adjustability.
The snug heel backing may feel tighter on first wear of a brand new pair. But the toe box and base align to your foot contours the same as any color. White offers the same security, traction, and break-in period you’d expect from a bold primary color.
Over time, regular cleaning may gradually erode away micro layers of foam to make well-worn pairs feel a bit roomier. But the initial fit of white Crocs matches other colors for your foot.
Do White Crocs Stay White With Cleaning Over Time?
With consistent cleaning effort using the methods above, white Crocs generally maintain a decent white appearance for approximately 1 year of moderate wear. But inevitably, white Crocs slowly take on a faded, dingier look that cleaning struggles to fully reverse.
Visible dirt and scuffs come off easily in the first few months. But eventual ingrained yellowing and missing foam chunks resist whiting techniques. And abrasive scrubbing to lift stains slowly takes a physical toll.
Like other white fabrics and objects, keeping Crocs a perfect pearly white forever is challenging. Despite your best efforts, white Crocs worn frequently will exhibit:
- Faded white color
- Permanent stains in porous spots
- Scuff marks and tiny gashes on the surface
- Eroded tread and straps
- Warped shape that no longer fits right
At that point after 1-2 years, heavily used white Crocs are due for retirement! Chronically grimy and deteriorating pairs become unhygienic and unsafe. Enjoy a fresh new pair of bright white Crocs rather than battling unfixable damage.
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Writer’s Take: My White Crocs Journey
“As an avid gardener always on the hunt for flexible, wipeable shoes, my first pair of Crocs were white – and I fell in love! Cushy, lightweight, and breathable, they worked wonderfully digging in the dirt.
At first, I was meticulous keeping them clean after each wear, scrubbing vigorously with soap, brush, and hose. This kept dirt at bay those first few months. But with daily yardwork, those Crocs showed their battle scars quickly with ingrained soil, scratches, and yellowed foam.
About 6 months in, my once-sparkling Crocs were perpetually dingy no matter how much I scrubbed. Bleach helped but wore them down faster. I made it just over a year before holes and unfixable stains had me looking for a replacement.
I’ll stick with my Crocs always – but learned light colors just aren’t suited for my mud-caked line of work! Choosing black or navy pairs now which camouflage the grime better has been the ticket for longevity.”
FAQ – Common White Crocs Questions
How long do white Crocs stay white?
With very gentle indoor use, white Crocs can hold their color decently for 6 months to a year. But more typical moderate outdoor wear visibly fades and stains them within 3-6 months.
Can Magic Erasers clean white Crocs?
Yes, the melamine foam material of Magic Erasers lifts dirt from the textured surface gently without harming the croslite material. Great for periodic touch-ups!
Should white Crocs be bleached often to stay white?
No, frequent bleaching is too harsh and will degrade the foam over time, causing cracks and brittleness. Limit bleaching white Crocs to once every 4-6 months when facing major stains.
Is there such a thing as no-show white Crocs?
Yes! The slimmer, sleeker Crocs Literide model has a barely-there profile and comes in white for a crisp, inconspicuous look. The lightweight Literide Pacer and Literide Clog styles are perfect substitutes to keep white shoes in rotation.
Can I put charms or Jibbitz on white Crocs?
Absolutely! Decorating those signature holes with fun charms or Jibbitz is half the fun of Crocs. Opt for white or silver-toned accessories that will pop against bright white shoes rather than clashing colors.
The Takeaway On White Crocs Cleanliness
It’s clear after breaking down the realities – white Crocs will invariably get dirty. How quickly and severely depends on your usage. But a ritual of prompt post-wear wipe downs, weekly washings, and periodic deep cleaning can maintain a presentable appearance and usable condition for approximately one year.
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