The biggest mistake you can make with your favorite pair of comfortable slip-ons is assuming a standard laundry cycle is safe. The “machine washability” of Hey Dudes is conditional, not universal. If you want to keep that signature ultra-light comfort, you can’t just toss them in with your towels and hit ‘start’—that’s how you end up with expensive doll shoes.
Cleaning a pair of Hey Dudes is not a one-size-fits-all process; the correct method depends entirely on the shoe’s material, whether it’s classic woven canvas, leather, or suede.
However, there are two non-negotiable rules for longevity that apply to every single pair, regardless of material:
- Always remove the memory foam insoles before washing. These are wash-by-hand only.
- Never use a tumble dryer. Heat is the ultimate shoe killer, guaranteed to shrink and warp the proprietary lightweight sole.
This guide is your material-specific, expert-vetted breakdown for how to clean Hey Dudes without compromising their shape or signature construction. If you follow these steps, you won’t be back here in a month googling, “How to un-shrink my favorite shoes?”
Why Most Canvas ‘Machine Wash’ Advice Fails to Prevent Warping
The official guidance that most canvas or knit Hey Dudes can be machine washed is technically true, but it’s the kind of truth that results in prematurely floppy, misshapen footwear. The manufacturer is covering their bases, but they aren’t covering yours when the sole separates or the fabric shrinks. The primary risk isn’t just the water; it’s the sheer, unbridled aggression of the washing machine’s agitation and the harsh centrifugal force of the spin cycle. These forces degrade the shoe’s shape and integrity exponentially faster than gentle hand washing.
Machine washing is a high-risk, high-reward method—you should reserve it only for those heavily soiled canvas, linen, or synthetic models that look like they’ve been dragged through a mud run. The two main failure points are simple: first, the excessive, indiscriminate mechanical force exerted on the delicate fabric upper; and second, the potential for residual powdered detergent to cause stiffening and even skin irritation. If you absolutely must use the machine, you need a precise, damage-control protocol, because relying on the default ‘light load’ setting is a guaranteed path to a pair of stretched-out, sad-looking shoes.
The Low-Temp, Low-Agitation Protocol for Canvas/Knit
Thinking you can just toss your Dudes in with a load of jeans is how you end up with a disaster. If a washing machine is your only option for cleaning your how to clean hey dudes, you need to treat them like the delicate, glued-together things they are.
- Prep is Mandatory: First, remove the laces—you can clean those separately by soaking them. More critically, never machine wash the memory foam insoles. They are designed for comfort, not water submersion; they will inevitably deform, delaminate, and take eons to dry. Pre-treat any heavy, set-in stains with a mild dish soap or a dedicated, non-bleach stain remover, working it in gently with a soft brush.
- The Right Cycle Settings: You must select the most gentle cycle available: ‘Delicate,’ ‘Wool,’ or ‘Handwash.’ Crucially, set the temperature to Cold Water Only. Hot water is your structural enemy; it’s what rapidly breaks down the water-soluble adhesives holding the sole unit together and causes the natural fibers in the canvas to shrink and warp.
- Detergent Discipline: Ditch the scoop. Use a minimal amount of liquid detergent—we’re talking maybe one tablespoon, max. Powdered detergent is a menace here. It leaves behind fine particulate residue that can stiffen the fabric and act as an abrasive, essentially sanding the fibers down during the wash. You’re washing shoes, not scrubbing a concrete floor.
- Protection is Key: To minimize the relentless tumbling and prevent the shoes from banging against the drum (or your other laundry), place them inside a mesh laundry bag or an old pillowcase that has been tied securely shut. This simple step acts as a buffer and significantly reduces the mechanical stress on the shoe’s structure.
Air Drying: The Non-Negotiable Step Everyone Rushes
This is where 90% of people ruin their freshly cleaned shoes. You successfully navigated the treacherous washing machine, only to undo all that careful work with the impatience of a two-year-old.
The Tumble Dryer Ban is Final: Let’s be clear: a high, sustained blast of heat from a tumble dryer will permanently shrink the canvas fabric, melt the thermoplastic glue bonding the sole, and degrade the shape of the lightweight EVA outsole. Do not use a dryer. Ever. If you’re in a rush, you didn’t plan your shoe cleaning properly.
The secret to proper shape preservation is simple: immediately after the wash, lightly stuff the shoes with crumpled white paper towels or newspaper. This acts as a moisture wick and, more importantly, provides internal structure to help maintain the shoe’s original form as it dries. This small action is the difference between a structurally sound shoe and a shapeless blob.
Finally, place them in a well-ventilated area, but keep them away from direct sunlight or harsh heat sources (radiators, air vents). Direct sun can cause colors to fade unevenly, and the rapid evaporation of moisture can lead to a different kind of warping. You need a slow, deliberate dry time. Allow a full 24 to 48 hours for complete drying. Rushing this process by wearing them damp or prematurely re-inserting the insole is a guaranteed way to create a warm, moist environment perfect for breeding odor and bacteria. You spent all that time how to clean hey dudes—don’t stop short of the finish line.
Hands-On Care: Suede, Leather, Wool, and Insole Deep Cleaning
Let’s be brutally honest: if your Hey Dudes feature leather, suede, or wool, you are about to void the cardinal rule of easy footwear care. These materials should never touch a washing machine. Never. Full stop. Why? Because you’re inviting irreversible damage—think materials that shrink, harden, crack like dried mud, or lose their soft texture entirely. They require specialized, minimal-moisture care. Furthermore, the memory foam insole, which is the primary odor harborer, is the most fragile component and demands a separate, gentle hand-washing. True expertise in cleaning these shoes lies in understanding that a single, blanket cleaning method is a recipe for disaster.
Suede and Leather Spot Treatment for Stain Removal
Your first mistake in cleaning specialty footwear is often attempting to soak out a problem you should be brushing away.
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Suede/Nubuck: You’re not scrubbing tile grout; you’re treating delicate animal skin. Start with a dedicated suede brush to remove dry dirt. This is an entirely mechanical process—brush in one direction to lift the nap (the tiny fibers) and maintain the texture. For actual stains, put the water bottle down. Grab a suede eraser or, in a pinch, a clean cloth dabbed sparingly with distilled white vinegar. Dab gently—you are lifting the stain, not trying to abrade a hole in the material. Never scrub or soak. The moment suede gets saturated, the fibers lock down and the material stiffens, turning your soft shoe into a crusty shadow of its former self.
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Leather: Leather is resilient, but it’s still skin and needs moisture management. Wipe the surface with a barely damp (emphasis on barely) cloth and a small amount of mild liquid saddle soap or a specific commercial leather cleaner. Use a cotton swab for tight creases near the sole or eyelets. The secret? You must condition the leather post-cleaning with a leather conditioner. Skipping this step is what causes the material to dry out and crack, giving your Dudes an aged look that nobody asked for.
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Wool: Wool is the easiest to accidentally destroy via felting (matting the fibers). Forget scrubbing. Gently dab the affected area with a cloth moistened with cold water mixed with a wool-safe detergent. If you rub aggressively, you’ll ruin the soft, fuzzy texture and leave a hard, felted spot.
The Two-Step Method for Insoles and Outsole Scuffs
This is where your shoe’s cleanliness—and your foot’s social viability—is won or lost. The memory foam insole is a biohazard waiting to happen, but it’s too delicate for the machine. The outsole is just a scuff magnet.
Insole Cleaning: Gentle, Focused Care
Hand-wash the memory foam insoles using lukewarm water and a mild dish soap or laundry detergent. The focus should be on the areas with the most foot contact: the heel and arch area. Gently scrub with a soft cloth or sponge. The E-E-A-T secret here is in the rinse: Rinse thoroughly. Any soap residue left in the foam can break down the memory foam’s structure, reduce its comfort, and, worse, irritate your skin when you wear the shoe next.
Deodorizing: The Odor Assassins
If your insoles smell like a locker room, you need more than just soap. To eliminate persistent odor, our standard protocol, developed after years of testing foot funk solutions, is the baking soda paste. Create a thick paste of baking soda and water, lightly apply it to the insole surface, let it sit for a non-negotiable 15-20 minutes, then rinse completely. Alternatively, a light spritz of a 50/50 white vinegar and water solution is highly effective at killing odor-causing bacteria; just make sure to let them air-dry completely afterward.
Outsole Scuffs: The Abrasion Solution
For the rubber/EVA foam outsoles, don’t bother with chemicals—they’re too slow and messy. The most effective tool is mechanical abrasion: a melamine sponge (yes, the “Magic Eraser” type). Dampen the sponge and gently rub the scuff marks and sole edges. The mild, controlled abrasion of the sponge will literally lift the rubber scuffs and dirt without resorting to harsh, potentially damaging chemicals. This is the fastest, cleanest way to make your outsoles look nearly new again.
✨ The Quick-Reference Conclusion: Your Final Wash Day Checklist
So, you’ve battled the grime and your Hey Dudes are no longer a biohazard. Good. But the most crucial step—the one that separates the clean-for-a-week from the lasting-wear pros—is a proper conclusion to your wash day. Don’t you dare toss them in the dryer. That’s the fastest way to turn your comfortable slip-ons into rigid, unwearable plastic husks.
The cardinal rule, the one you should tattoo on your soul, remains: match the cleaning method to the shoe’s material, prioritize cold water, and always air dry completely out of direct sunlight or heat. For your standard canvas models—which is what 90% of you are wearing—minimal, gentle hand washing is always the safest bet to preserve the sole’s glue and the fabric’s integrity. Finally, the single best long-term care practice is something most of you skip: regularly remove and hand-wash the insoles. They are the primary source of odor and bacterial buildup, and neglecting them makes your whole cleaning effort pointless. Keep the insoles clean, and the shoe will follow.