We all love Hey Dude shoes; they are lightweight, comfortable, and super stylish. We can wear these sneakers to most places, and they are very easy to match with your summer outfits. And, when we love shoes that much, we want to care for them so well that they can last many years. So, the first thing you must be wondering is how to clean your pair. Now, can you put Hey Dudes in the washer?
Yes, you can wash Hey Dude shoes in the washing machine. But you can only do so in a gentle cycle to prevent damaging your shoes. In addition, you can only air dry them after cleaning. If you worry you could damage your shoes, you can also hand wash them. Not sure which way to go? We will tell you how to clean Hey Dudes' shoes in the washing machine and by hand.
But first:
How Are Hey Dude Shoes Made?
The Hey Dude shoes we all love were first made in 2008 by an Italian designer, Alessandro Rosano. He designed the shoes after searching for lightweight shoes for everyday wear. When he couldn't find a good pair, he conceived a design that replaced heavy, stiff, and outdated materials in classic shoes with lightweight, flexible, and sustainable materials.
The new lightweight shoes attracted the fancy of many customers, and in 2021, Hey Dude was bought by Crocs, another footwear giant that makes lightweight lounging shoes. Ultimately, we can all agree that we will keep enjoying the best Hey Dude shoes, and our main responsibility will be maintaining our pairs in good condition.
Before we dive into the topic of cleaning Hey Dudes, check out our article that address whether or not Converse shoes can be safely washed in the machine.
Method 1: How to Machine Wash Hey Dudes Shoes
You can machine wash Hey Dude shoes, but only on a gentle wash with gentle detergents. Here are the supplies you will need for your cleaning process;
- A washing machine
- Mild liquid detergent
- Mesh laundry bag
- Cold water
Here are the cleaning steps to follow;
Step 1: Before throwing your Hey Dudes into the machine, remove any extra dirt, like mud or debris, that could be stuck in the outsoles and upper fabric.
Step 2: Then remove the insoles and loosen or remove the shoe laces. Since the insoles are made with memory foam, you could damage them by washing them in the machine, so it is always best to handwash them.
Step 3: Add your mild liquid detergent to the washing machine. If you have white Hey Dude shoes, you can add a gentle bleaching solution or vinegar to remove any tough stains.
With this cleaning method, you should avoid using powdered detergent as it is hard to rinse off and could leave nasty stains on your shoes' uppers. Powdered detergent is more abrasive than liquid detergent, which could quickly wear down your shoes' uppers.
In addition, you will only need to use a small amount of liquid laundry detergent. In most cases, a tablespoon or 15ml is enough for most washing machines. However, you can use less than 15ml if using a High-Efficiency washer.
Step 4: Place your shoes in the mesh laundry bag and throw them into the washing machine. The mesh bag is your best option to protect the shoes from wrinkling and getting any damage when tumbling in the machine. If you do not have the bag, you can also throw the shoes into the machine without it, then throw a towel inside to prevent the shoes from banging around the washer.
Step 5: Select a delicate cycle and start washing with cold water. As you know, Hey Dudes are made with lightweight, thus delicate materials, especially for the uppers. As such, you will want to use cold water to prevent damaging the fabric. Remember, you cannot machine wash suede, leather, or wool Hey Dude shoes. The company only recommends machine washing their canvas shoes.
Step 6: When the cycle completes, check to see if the shoes are clean and well-rinsed. If not, repeat the cycle. Once the shoes are clean, take them out of the machine, and air-dry them. Again, you don't want to use the dryer as it can shrink or warp the canvas uppers. When air drying, place the shoes in a cool, airy place, not in direct sunlight, which could also damage the uppers.
If you want the Hey Dude shoes to maintain their shape, you can also stuff them with a dry microfiber towel as they dry. The towel will absorb the moisture to hasten the drying process and expand the fabric to its previous shape.
Step 7: As the shoes dry, wash the shoe laces and insoles and dry them alongside the shoes. All parts should dry in a few hours, after which you can rock your clean and dry Hey Dude shoes.
Method 2: How to Hand Wash Hey Dude Shoes
While it is faster to machine wash your Hey Dude shoes, it is definitely safer to hand wash them. When hand washing, you'll be gentler to the shoes and will easily remove all stains and dirt. Does this sound like your best method? Here is what you will need;
- Lukewarm water
- Mild liquid detergent
- Soft bristle brush
- A basin or sink
- Microfiber cloth
After you gather all the supplies, remove the insoles and shoe laces, then follow, here are these steps when cleaning your pair;
Step 1: Wipe off any excess dirt or debris. You will need to use a soft towel or rug to avoid a brush, as it could damage the already-hardened shoe uppers. However, if your shoes are not that dirty, you can skip this step.
Step 2: Fill your basin, bucket, or sink half full with lukewarm water, then add a few drops of mild detergent. Again, ensure you use a gentler liquid detergent on shoe uppers. Swish the mixture with your hand until you create soapy bubbles.
Step 3: Let the shoes soak for about 20 minutes if they are too dirty. You might not need to dip them into the water if they are not very dirty.
Step 4: If you did not soak the shoes, use a soft cloth to clean the uppers without dipping the shoe into the water. Instead, dip the cloth in the soapy water and blot your Hey Dude shoes with it. If you notice some spots that are too dirty, be a bit more aggressive when rubbing the cloth against the uppers. After you clean the uppers, you can use a soft brush to clean the outsoles. However, ensure you do not transfer the dirt to the clean uppers.
If you have soaked the shoes, meaning they were very dirty, you can use a gentle, soft-bristled brush to clean the uppers. Do so because a cloth will more likely spread the loosened dirt all over the shoe, thus making cleaning a bit harder. Still, you will need to be very gentle with the brush to prevent tearing the upper fabric.
Scrub all shoe areas, including the outsoles, to remove any stains or dirt.
Step 5: When the shoes look clean, you can start rinsing them. You will rinse the shoes the same way you washed them. So, if you did not dip the shoes into the water, use another clean cloth, dip it in clean water, and blot the shoes to rinse. However, if you soak your shoes, dip them into a container with clean, lukewarm, or cold water to rinse them.
Step 6: As mentioned above, you will need to air dry your Hey Dude shoes in a cool place shielded from direct sunlight. But, before you leave them to dry, stuff them with clean, dry microfiber cloths to help them retain good shape while absorbing most of the moisture.
Step 7: Remember to clean and dry the insoles and shoelaces.
Featured Image Credits: walmart.com
