How To Shrink Crocs For Beginners, 3 Options

Crocs have a unique spot in popular culture. These shoes may not win any beauty contests. However, they are beloved for their comfortability. However, the fit of crocs can be a little bit of a challenge.

Have you ever wondered how to shrink Crocs?

Many people have found that their crocs no longer fit after using them for a while. Luckily, there is a solution. Today, we’re going to look at how to shrink crocs to create your perfect fit.

Why Do Crocs Change Size?

Crocs are well-known for their comfort. They are so comfortable that they have become a favorite of the healthcare community. So many nurses and doctors use crocs that, according to Business Wire, Crocs partnered with the National Healthcare Career Network.

The reason Crocs are so comfortable is the same reason that they change sizes so easily – the material that they are made from. While the exact properties of the material are not public knowledge, the basics are that Crocs are made from a rubber-like resin material.

This material gives Crocs their patented cushioned sole. It is also why they are non-slip. However, this material is also prone to changing under heat.

The polymers in rubber and resin are prone to expanding and contracting when exposed to different types of heat. Dry heat shrinks the polymers, so let’s focus on that method first.

Method One: Dryer

What You Need:

• Two wet towels
• A dryer with low heat options

Time: 10-12 minutes

The dryer is one of the most popular methods for shrinking Crocs. Most people have access to a dryer and some wet towels. Using a dryer also tends to have the most uniform results. It’s less likely to end up with one shoe shrunk more than another.

Step One: Prep

Gather your Crocs and wrap them in two wet towels. It also prevents the hot interior from damaging the Crocs. Secure the towel with string or another dryer-safe material.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. This is meant to be a dry heat method. You are correct. However, wrapping the towels around the shoes provides even heating and protection to the Crocs. 

When we are talking about using wet heat, we’re talking more about boiling water. A little steam is not going to ruin this process. 

Step Two: Dryer Set Up

Choose the lowest heat setting when you set up your dryer to shrink your Crocs. The likelihood of them melting is low, but not zero.

Additionally, using higher heat puts them at a higher risk of becoming disfigured during the drying process.

Step Three: Observation

Once your Crocs and towels are in the dryer, you can turn the dryer on. Let the Crocs tumble for 10-15 minutes. It is important, during this time, that you stay nearby to keep an eye on them.

This can be more of a challenge if your dryer door is not see-through. However, the more important thing is to be close enough to hear and smell if anything goes wrong.

Step Four: Enjoy

Once your Crocs are out of the dryer, check the fit by holding them close to your feet. We don’t advise stepping inside them right away. Instead, give them time to cool a little before slipping them on.

Pros: Safe, easy, relatively quick

Cons: It may be difficult to check the progress while the dryer is on, which can be a risk.

Method Two: Hairdryer

What You Need:

• Hairdryer with medium heat option
• 2 Damp towels

Time: 20-30 minutes

Step One: Prep

Preparing for this one is a little easier than the first method. You still want to wrap your Crocs in a couple of damp towels. However, you don’t have to worry about securing them since you’re using the hairdryer.

Additionally, you want to set your hairdryer to medium heat.

Step Two: Drying

Begin applying heat to the Crocs. You don’t want to press the hairdryer right up against the fabric of the towels. As mentioned before, too much heat can cause your Crocs to become deformed.

Instead, keep it at least eight inches away – similar to how you would dry your hair.

The most important thing about using this method is to apply heat evenly. Take the time to run the same amount of heat over each part of the Crocs to ensure both shrink.

This method may sound tedious, but the good news is that not every part of the Crocs has to be heated to the same degree.

Instead, you want to focus on the soles and the top shell. These are the parts that you want to shrink.

It is important to remember that uneven heating can completely ruin your Crocs, or they may not shrink at all. The average time for shrinking your Crocs this way is about 30 minutes.

Step Three: Let Them Cool

Once your Crocs are at an appropriate size, let them cool. Set them in a safe, shaded location, and do not wear them until they are at room temperature.

Pros: Great for people with access to a dryer

Cons: Much slower than other methods

Method Three: Sun

What You Need:

• Sunlight
• A flat surface

Time: 30-minutes

Step One: Place Crocs in Sunlight

When choosing a location to shrink your Crocs in the sun, we recommend placing them on a flat surface, sole-down.

This method of shrinking Crocs works best on a warm day. Remember, Crocs are very sensitive to heat, so the warmer the weather that day, the shorter a time it will take for them to shrink.

Sun shrinking is one of our favorite methods because it is the least likely to lead to damaging your Crocs. Because the sun heats the material so slowly, there is less chance for the Crocs to melt or change sizes unevenly.

There are still risks. You do not want to place your Crocs on a metal surface. Doing so can lead to the Crocs overheating at the sole, which can then lead to melting or other types of damage.

Another big no-no when sun-shrinking Crocs is placing anything else on top of them.

The Crocs material is very soft during the shrinking process, and the shoes getting squished by something heavier puts them at risk of being ruined.

The last big risk for your Crocs in this method is that you run the risk of forgetting them. Make sure you set a timer for yourself to avoid leaving your Crocs in the sun and over-shrinking them.

While sun-shrinking may be the safest way to change the size of your Crocs, it is not universally loved. Many Crocs-wearers report that this is the most unreliable method for shrinking Crocs.

Some have found their Crocs shrunk at a normal rate. Others have found their Crocs shrunk very slowly or not at all.

One of the biggest mistakes we see with this method is people putting the Crocs on while the shoes are still warm from the sun.

While Crocs will shrink in dry heat, if you step into them while they are still warm, the polymers in the rubber can then expand. This generally ruins all your shrinking within a few wears.

Instead, bring your Crocs into a shaded location to cool before putting them back on.

Pros: Anyone with access to the sun can use this method, reducing the rate of damaging the material of the Crocs.

Cons: If you forget about them, you run the risk of really over-shrinking the Crocs.

FAQs

Why Do Crocs Get Bigger?

As mentioned above, it’s all down to heat. As you wear your Crocs, the moisture and heat from your feet slowly start to make the polymers in the material expand.

Things that can contribute to this include:

• Warmer weather
• Longer wear-times
• Exposure to warm water regularly

Can I Stop My Crocs From Getting Bigger?

Yes and no. Over time, wearing your Crocs regularly will cause them to expand. However, if you purchase the correct size of Crocs originally, this can be less of a struggle.

It’s generally advised to size down in Crocs because of the reason that they expand over time. This is especially true if you are on the cusp of two sizes or have a foot smaller than the other.

Additionally, limiting your shoe’s exposure to high heat can help to ensure that they don’t change sizes unexpectedly. Storing them in a shaded, cool closet whenever possible is the easiest way to do this.

What if I Over-Shrink My Crocs?

Just like dry heat shrinks Crocs, wet heat helps them to expand. This means that it’s easy to resize your Crocs if you make them too small.

The easiest method for doing this is to boil Crocs. Place them in a boiling pot of water for no more than 10 minutes. Take them out and let them cool to the heat you are comfortable with. You do not want them entirely cold, or enlarging them won’t work.

Once the Crocs are safe for you to place on your feet, do so and walk around for a few minutes, locking in your perfect size.

How Often Can I Shrink My Crocs?

So, here’s the deal, there’s no one answer to this. Crocs can be shrunk and enlarged for as long as their material holds up. However, the more you do this, the faster they will wear out.

Normal Croc material is smooth When it becomes too damaged, the material starts to wrinkle. Depending on how hot your shoes are getting, that can happen after one size change – or even four.

How To Shrink Crocs, Closing Thoughts

There is a reason that, despite their tendency to get bigger, so many people adore their Crocs. These are the ultimate low-maintenance shoes. Their rubber-resin material can be washed with water while still being extremely comfortable.

It’s easy to understand why so many people would be willing to go to any lengths to keep these versatile shoes in the right size.

Luckily, shrinking Crocs is a relatively easy thing to do. No matter what your situation is, you have this guide on how to make Crocs smaller.

However, it’s important to remember that with each size Crocs grows and shrinks, you run the risk of damaging them beyond repair.

Take the time to protect your Crocs. Store them carefully, do research to ensure you purchase the correct size, and most of all, avoid tossing them into any high-heat situation.