How to wash Hey Dude shoes (canvas, knit and leather)

Step by step: how to wash hey dude shoes

1. 1

   Check the material and the label

   Look at the tongue label or product page for your pair. Canvas, chambray, linen, stretch jersey and knit styles can usually be washed. Leather, suede and nubuck styles should not get a wash; skip to the leather section below.

2. 2

   Take out the laces and insoles

   Pull out the elastic or tie laces if they come out easily, and lift out the insole if it is removable. Wash laces in the mesh bag with the shoes. Insoles are cleaned separately by hand, because the washer can warp the foam.

3. 3

   Brush off dry dirt

   Knock the soles together outside, then brush loose dirt off the upper and the sidewalls with a dry soft brush. Brushing first means you wash away grime instead of grinding it into the fabric.

4. 4

   Pretreat stains

   Mix a drop of mild detergent in a cup of cool water, dip a toothbrush in it and work it into stains with small circles. Let it sit for 10 minutes. For scuffs on the white foam sole, a damp cloth with a little detergent or baking soda paste usually lifts them.

5. 5

   Wash by hand or on a cold gentle cycle

   By hand: scrub the whole shoe with the soapy brush, then rinse with a cloth dipped in clean water. By machine: put the shoes in a mesh bag or pillowcase, add a couple of old towels to balance the load, and wash on a cold, gentle cycle with a small amount of liquid detergent and no bleach or softener.

6. 6

   Clean the insoles by hand

   Scrub the insoles with the soapy toothbrush, wipe them with a clean damp cloth and press out the water with a towel. Sprinkle a little baking soda on them once they are dry if they smell, and shake it off before you put them back.

7. 7

   Air dry for about a day

   Stuff the shoes with newspaper or paper towels to soak up water and hold their shape, and stand them in a shaded, airy spot. Change the paper after a few hours. Keep them out of the dryer and away from heaters, which can shrink the upper and warp the sole.

Should you wash Hey Dudes in the washing machine or by hand?

Hand washing is gentler and is the safer default; a cold, gentle machine cycle in a bag is fine for many fabric Hey Dudes if the label allows it. The washer saves effort but wears shoes out faster.

Shoe brands differ on this. Nike does not recommend washing its shoes in the machine at all and suggests a soft brush with a mild cleaning solution and air drying, noting that bulky shoes can also damage the washer. Brands that do allow it, like Allbirds for most of its shoes, give the same routine you would use for fabric Hey Dudes: remove insoles and laces, use a delicates bag or pillowcase, choose a gentle cycle with cold water and a small amount of mild detergent, skip bleach and fabric softener, and air dry.

For the general method for any sneaker, see our guide to washing shoes in the washing machine.

How to clean Hey Dudes by material

Fabric uppers can be washed, leather gets a damp wipe and conditioner, and suede gets only a dry brush.

For leather and suede pairs, follow our leather shoe guide or suede shoe guide.

How to dry Hey Dudes and get rid of the smell

Dry them stuffed with paper at room temperature, and deal with odor by washing the insoles and drying the shoes fully between wears.

Nike’s drying guide explains that dryer heat can shrink shoes and the tumbling beats them up, and recommends stuffing them with newspaper, which soaks up water and reaches into the toe. Because Hey Dudes are often worn without socks, sweat soaks into the insole and the lining. Washing the insoles, letting the shoes dry completely, and rotating between two pairs does more for odor than any spray. A little baking soda left in dry shoes overnight absorbs what is left.

Mistakes to avoid

• Putting leather or suede Hey Dudes in the washing machine.
• Washing in hot water, which can shrink fabric uppers and loosen glue.
• Running them through the dryer instead of air drying.
• Washing them without a mesh bag or pillowcase, so they bang around the drum.
• Using bleach on colored canvas or chambray, which leaves pale blotches.
• Putting damp insoles back in, which brings the smell right back.