The other day, The Wall Street Journal published how crocs have been the hot fashion item for colleges across America. Crocs are composed of a substance known as “croslite,” a form of closed-cell resin resembling rubber and plastic. They do not, however, have the qualities of rubber or plastic. One factor in the success of Crocs is how they can be easily slipped on and off. The combination of a lightweight, a non-absorbent feature, and a comfortable fit have made Crocs a fashion favorite. Another significant factor in the success of Crocs is their durability.
However, since crocs are so large and comfy, individuals occasionally make the mistake of choosing loose-fitting crocs for the sake of comfort. These loose-fitting crocs can cause you agony since they will easily fall off your feet when walking. So, the question is can you shrink your favorite pair of crocs?
What Are Crocs?
Crocs are a type of shoe that was initially designed to be worn in wading pools. However, they have since been marketed for general use and have gained a strong fanbase. The shoes have an unusual appearance due to their bright colors and visible seams. They can also come in various styles, such as sandals, clogs, or flip-flops. As a result, they are considered quirky and may even be considered fashionable in some circles. The crocs are comfortable, have a unique look, are warm, and are easy to clean. They are also water-resistant. They have even been praised for being environmentally friendly because they soak up any excess moisture surrounding the foot when the wearer walks through the wet. However, although crocs were designed to be functional, their major draw has been their appearance. As a result, crocs have been a hit with people of all ages.
3 Methods To Shrink Crocs
As previously stated, the croslite material is resistant to various problem-causing variables, including odor, perspiration, bacterial development, and so on. There is one issue, though, that might provide a slight concern for this particular material. That is heat. The reason that crocs shrink is that the material shrinks when exposed to heat. You may quickly shrink them by following a few simple steps. In reality, you won’t need any professional assistance to do the task.There are three effective ways to shrink your crocs. Crocs can only be shrunk using heat, which can come from a variety of sources. So, here are a few methods for shrinking your crocs using heat. Let’s get started on the step-by-step procedure straight away.
Method 1: 5 Simple Steps To Shrink Crocs With A Dryer
This is a simple tutorial on how to shrink down the size of your Crocs with a clothes dryer.
Step 1: Set the Dryer’s Timer.
First and foremost, you’ll need to program the dryer’s settings and timer. The essential thing to remember is to keep track of the time. Also, keep in mind that increasing the settings too much can harm the crocs’ materials, so keep that in mind. After you’ve taken all of these considerations into account, it’s time to configure the settings and timings. Set the dryer’s heat to the lowest setting and the timer to 10–15 minutes for best results. To avoid damaging the crocs’ material when shrinking them, keep the heat low and constant.
Step 2: Set Down the Crocs and the Wet Towels in the Dryer
The next step is to put your crocs and the wet towel in the dryer. During this step, you will be putting your crocs and the wet towel inside the dryer after setting it for 10 minutes. Make sure the crocs are dry before starting this process. Keep in mind that putting wet crocs inside the dryer can cause damage to the material. In the meantime, prepare a pair of clean socks for this step.
Step 3: Start the Dryer’s Cycle & Observe the Process
It would be best if you also kept an eye on the crocs throughout the drying process. This allows you to see how they are shrinking with time. Once the procedure has started, you must maintain a close eye on it at all times. This is only to ensure that the heat is just sufficient to aid in the shrinking process. As previously stated, if the heat within the dryer gets excessive, it might cause the material of the crocs to become irreversibly damaged.
Step 4: Check the Crocs’ Sizes When the Cycle has Finished
Once the timer has finished, it is now time to check whether or not you have shrunk your crocs down properly. Check the crocs after being in the dryer for 4-5 minutes after the procedure is complete.
Step 5: Remove from Dryer and Cool
To remove the crocs, pull them out of the dryer. Let them cool down until you can handle them. When you’re able to touch the crocs without the risk of burning your fingers, it’s now time to check whether or not your crocs have appropriately been shrunken. After you check them, if your crocs are smaller than they were before the procedure began, you have successfully shrunk them down. This means that they will fit much more comfortably on your feet now. If it turns out that you don’t have shrunk your crocs down to the proper sizes, you can repeat the procedure. However, ensure that the crocs are completely dry before starting this procedure for a second time.
Method 2: 4 Simple Steps To Shrink Crocs With a Hair Dryer
This is another simple tutorial on how to shrink down the size of your Crocs with a hairdryer. A hairdryer works similarly to a drier, and you can adjust where the heat is applied to shrink the crocs.
Step 1: Wet the Two Towels
If you don’t squeeze out the extra water, the heat will dry the towels instead of the crocs. The damp towel guarantees that the heat is not delivered directly to the crocs’ material, causing harm!
Step 2: Wrap Towels Around Crocs
Wrap one of the towels around each of the shoes. There is no need to fasten the towels since you can hold the crocs in your palm, and they will not move.
Step 3: Turn on the Hairdryer on Medium Heat and Start Heating the Crocs
Hold the hairdryer perpendicular to the crocs. The heat will cause the fibers in the material to contract, allowing you to shrink your crocs down. As the hairdryer is in your hands, you can adjust the distance of the heat being delivered to the crocs.
Step 4: Check Crocs
Unwrap the towels in between to see whether the crocs have shrunk, then continue heating till the desired outcome. Once you check the crocs, if they appear to be as small as you want them to be, then you should congratulate yourself for shrinking your Crocs!
Method 3: Shrink Down Your Crocs In Natural Sunlight
This is yet another simple tutorial on how to shrink down the size of your Crocs with natural sunlight. If you don’t have access to a dryer, you may hang them out to dry in the sun for a few minutes. This is particularly effective on a hot, bright day when the sun is at its highest point. You should make sure that the crocs are placed on some horizontal surface. This ensures that they do not fall over or become damaged while being shrunk in the sun. You should then place the crocs outside in direct sunlight for 8–12 hours. However, this technique may be time demanding, and you may need to repeat it for many days to get the desired effects.
How Much can You Shrink Crocs?
Yes, you can shrink your crocs, but how much can you reduce them? The answer to this question is that it is dependent on the situation. Crocs can be shrunk using a dryer and moist towels, but the sun’s heat may also shrink them. It’s important to remember that the longer you expose your crocs to heat, the smaller they’ll get in size.
Is it Possible to Shrink Crocs in Hot Water?
When washed in hot water, they will not shrink. Hot water has the exact opposite effect as dry heat. This is because the heat will damage the material of the Crocs, causing irreparable harm to their shape and size. Hot water will loosen the crocs’ material, stretch them out, and make them loose-fitting. Unfortunately, hot water may also loosen the crocs’ material, causing them to lose their elasticity.
Do Crocs Shrink in the Washing Machine?
When placed through a washing machine, they will still stay the same size and shape and will not shrink at all. Furthermore, washing the crocs in a washing machine will cause them to become damaged and start falling apart.
FAQS
Do Crocs Outstretch When You Wear them?
Yes, crocs tend to stretch out. These shoes tend to make your feet feel as if they are floating on the surface. However, this effect will wear off as you wear them more often and they stretch out more. Furthermore, crocs tend to lose their elasticity as you wear them often, which leads to the shoe stretching out even more. This is especially true if you go for Crocs that are bigger than your standard size. If your shoes are too big for you, your feet will always be at risk of sliding out of them.
How to un-shrink Crocs Shoes That Have Shrunk?
Some factors that may have caused your crocs to shrink include exposure to too much sunlight, leaving them in a hot vehicle, or washing them in a dishwasher. To un-shrink your crocs, you’ll need to follow the reverse process that you used to shrink them. This means that you need to leave the crocs in a hot environment for a few hours and allow them to dry out. Additionally, you can place them in warm water and allow the fabric to loosen up. Both of these methods will reverse the effects of shrinking and unshrinking your crocs.
How to Stretch Crocs?
If you genuinely need to stretch your crocs, you may need to use certain tricks to assist you in getting the correct fit in a short amount of time, as shown below.
Method 1: Soak in Boiling Water
This procedure requires boiling water in a pot. Then soak your shrink crocs in hot water for one minute. After a few days, the crocs should stretch and suit your feet.
Method 2: Using a Hairdryer to Heat
Use a decent-quality hairdryer and blow it as hard as you need. Wrap a towel around your crocs, so the heat is evenly dispersed. For three minutes, place the wrapped dryer into the shoes, keeping an eye on the materials. Stop heating the shoes and immediately put on socks and wear them. Keep them on their feet for 5-10 minutes. This should help your crocs.
Method 3: Wearing them with Thick Socks (The Simplest but Long-term Process)
This procedure requires no extra effort. Just grab 4-5 pairs of thick socks. Then you wear your new crocs or crocs shoes with these thick socks for a few days.
How Long do Crocs last?
Depending on how often you wear the crocs and how well you take care of them, they can last for up to five years. However, the average is about two years based on my research and experience with crocs. This is something that you should be aware of if you’re planning on buying crocs. The time it takes to break down wearing crocs does not consider the other factors that could be causing the crocs to break.
How Do I Clean my Crocs?
Usually, Crocs are very easy to clean. Simply use mild soap and a damp cloth on a regular basis to wipe off dirt and dust from them. Then let them air dry before using them again. It is recommended that you wash your Crocs with a gentle detergent or soap. If you leave your Crocs without cleaning up for too long, they will eventually lose their elasticity and become loose-fitting. The best way to ensure that the crocs last for longer is by allowing them to air out or dry up naturally.
How Do I Prevent my Crocs from Getting Dirty When I Wear them?
To keep your Crocs clean when you wear them, ensure that the environment is dry and clean. If you’re in a rush or just can’t manage to get home to shower, you should have some tissue paper with you. This will help you clean your shoes before getting home.