Crocs Shrink in the Sun: Here’s How to Unshrink Them
Crocs are some of the most popular footwear choices, especially for travel and leisure during the summer. But, do Crocs shrink in the sun or heat?
Crocs can shrink or warp when exposed to heat, sun, washing machines, or hot cars.
After cleaning, Crocs should only be air-dried.
To unshrink Crocs, place them in boiling water for 45 seconds. Then, immediately wear them until they cool down. Boiling water softens the material and putting them on will immediately stretch the Crocs.
If you’ve left your Crocs in the sun and they’ve shrunk, this post will teach you how to unshrink them.
Do Crocs shrink in the sun and heat?
Crocs has placed a warning at the bottom of their “how to care for your Crocs” page, even though it’s not at the top. The warning goes like this:
After cleaning, all styles should be air dried only. Exposure to extreme heat, sun, dishwashers, washing machines, or hot cars can cause the shoes to shrink or warp.
Crocs, American Footwear Brand
Crocs can shrink in less than 30 minutes when exposed to high temperatures.
Here are some images of Crocs that have shrunk after being left out in the sun:
New Crocs were left in the attic for 3 years. Left Croc should be as big as the right one. Image posted by u/2inchtip1inchshaft on Reddit.
Crocs are susceptible to shrinking when exposed to the sun and extreme heat. Leaving Crocs in a hot car or a dishwasher can cause them to shrink quickly.
While Crocs are durable, they can’t withstand high heat.
Sometimes they shrink, sometimes they don’t
Leaving Crocs out in the sun can be unpredictable; they might shrink or they might not. Many people leave their Crocs in the sun or hot cars without experiencing any shrinkage.
It may be because different pairs of Crocs are made from different batches of material, and any slight change in the formulation could affect their ability to shrink.
Wearing Crocs in the sun or extreme heat can also affect their size. However, when you wear Crocs, your feet can help maintain their shape and prevent shrinkage.
How to “unshrink” your Crocs
By far, the most effective method to unshrink Crocs is to put them inside a pot of boiling water for 45 seconds. Then, take them out and immediately wear them.
Boiling water softens the Crocs’ material, and wearing them right after helps stretch them out.
You can also put your Crocs inside a clothes dryer or apply heat from a hairdryer.
If you’ve bought Crocs that are too small, you can use these methods.
If you have the graphic tie-dye version of Crocs, be careful as the paint might bleed.
Here are the 3 methods to unshrink Crocs, explained further:
1. Wash them over hot, boiling water
For this method, you are going to need:
- Basin (to put the Crocs in)
- Thick socks
- Boiling water
Once you have everything ready, boil a pot of water, enough to submerge the Crocs inside the basin. Pour the boiling water into the basin and then submerge the Crocs in it.
Ensure the Crocs are fully submerged by pressing them down. Flip them around so each part of the Crocs gets exposed to the boiling water.
After about 45 seconds, take the Crocs out and immediately wear them. If you’re wearing socks, they will protect your feet from the heat and help stretch the Crocs.
It’s important to keep your feet inside the Crocs until they cool down. Keep wearing the Crocs to maintain their shape. You can also walk around to stretch them further.
You can repeat the entire process until you achieve your desired results.
Based on our experience, we’ve seen the best results after repeating the process 4 times.
2. Put them inside a clothes dryer
This method, like the boiling water technique, uses high heat to reshape the Crocs.
To start, set the clothes dryer on medium-low heat and set the timer for 10 minutes. Place the Crocs inside the dryer with two wet towels, and start the cycle.
The wet towels moisten the Crocs’ material, making them more pliable. It’s a good idea to stand by while the Crocs are drying to ensure that the heat is not too high.
After about 5 minutes in the dryer, take the Crocs out and immediately wear them. If you’re wearing socks, they will protect your feet from the heat and help stretch the Crocs.
Keep wearing the Crocs to maintain their shape.
It’s important to keep your feet inside the Crocs until they cool down. You can also walk around to stretch them further.
3. Use a hair dryer
If you want to try the safest approach, you can use a hairdryer to unshrink your Crocs.
Unlike boiling water or a clothes dryer, a hairdryer provides a gentler heat to your Crocs.
This method is very simple. Simply use a hairdryer on your shrunken Crocs for several minutes. Move it around to evenly distribute the heat.
Once the Crocs are thoroughly warm, wear them immediately with thick socks. Thick socks serve two purposes: they protect your feet from the heat and help stretch the Crocs.
However, you may want to repeat the hairdryer method numerous times because the heat is not as extreme as boiling water or inside a clothes dryer.
Bottom Line
Now you know that Crocs can shrink in the sun and extreme heat.
In extreme heat, Crocs can sometimes shrink in just 30 minutes.
If you own Crocs, taking precautions is better than facing issues later. Keep your Crocs in cool, shady places when you’re not wearing them.
Remember, Crocs are supposed to be roomy, not overly tight.
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