How to Clean and Maintain Your Clogs for Longevity

Your clogs work hard for you—whether you're tending the garden, working a hospital shift, or simply enjoying a weekend walk. Proper cleaning and maintenance not only keeps them looking good but significantly extends their lifespan and maintains the comfort and support features you rely on. This guide covers everything you need to know about clog care, organised by material type and specific challenges.

Different clog materials require different care approaches. Using the wrong cleaning products or methods can damage your clogs, causing premature wear or degrading comfort features. Understanding your clogs' construction is the first step to proper maintenance.

Cleaning EVA Foam Clogs

EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate) foam clogs, including popular brands like Crocs, are among the easiest footwear to clean. Their non-porous material resists absorption of dirt and liquids, making maintenance straightforward.

Regular Cleaning

For routine cleaning, simply rinse your EVA clogs under lukewarm water to remove loose dirt. Use a soft brush or cloth with mild soap (dish soap works well) to scrub away stubborn grime. Pay attention to textured areas and ventilation holes where dirt tends to accumulate.

For deeper cleaning, create a solution of warm water with a small amount of mild detergent. Soak your clogs for five to ten minutes, then scrub with a soft-bristled brush. An old toothbrush works excellently for reaching textured areas and ventilation holes.

Removing Odours

Despite being non-porous, EVA clogs can develop odours from bacteria on the footbed surface. Combat this with a baking soda paste: mix baking soda with water to create a thick paste, apply to the footbed, leave for fifteen minutes, then scrub off and rinse thoroughly.

Alternatively, spray the footbed with a mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar after each wear. The vinegar smell dissipates quickly and kills odour-causing bacteria. Let the clogs air dry completely before wearing again.

Caring for Cork Footbed Clogs

Cork footbed clogs, such as Birkenstocks, require more careful maintenance than EVA. The natural cork and latex composition moulds to your foot over time but can be damaged by excessive moisture or harsh cleaning products.

Cleaning the Footbed

Clean cork footbeds with a damp cloth—never soak them. Use a small amount of mild soap if needed, but avoid saturating the cork. After cleaning, allow the footbed to dry completely at room temperature before wearing.

Periodically apply a cork sealant (available from the clog manufacturer or shoe care suppliers) to maintain the footbed's water resistance and prevent cracking. This is especially important in dry climates or if you wear your clogs without socks.

Cleaning Leather or Suede Uppers

If your cork footbed clogs have leather uppers, wipe them with a damp cloth and condition periodically with leather conditioner. Suede uppers require a suede brush to maintain the nap and a suede eraser for spot cleaning. Avoid water on suede whenever possible.

Maintaining Leather Clogs

Professional leather clogs require care similar to quality leather shoes. Proper maintenance preserves both appearance and structural integrity.

Routine Care

Wipe leather clogs with a slightly damp cloth after each wear to remove surface dirt and prevent buildup. Allow them to dry naturally—never use heat—before storing.

Weekly or bi-weekly, depending on use, apply a quality leather conditioner. This keeps the leather supple and prevents cracking. For smooth leather, use a cream conditioner; for full-grain leather, a wax-based product may be more appropriate.

Dealing with Stains

Address stains promptly. For water stains, dampen the entire upper evenly and let dry slowly—this prevents tide marks. Oil-based stains can be treated with talcum powder or cornstarch: apply generously, leave overnight to absorb the oil, then brush off.

Stubborn stains may require professional cleaning, especially on light-coloured leather. Attempting aggressive cleaning at home risks permanent damage or discolouration.

Managing Garden and Work Clogs

Garden clogs and heavy-use work clogs face particularly tough conditions. Mud, dirt, grass stains, and constant moisture exposure require a proactive approach.

Post-Use Cleaning

The key to maintaining garden clogs is cleaning them after each use—or at least at the end of each day. Don't let mud dry on the surface, as it can be harder to remove and may stain lighter colours.

Rinse garden clogs with a hose immediately after use. Use a stiff brush to remove caked mud from treads and crevices. For stubborn grass stains on lighter clogs, a paste of baking soda and water applied with a brush usually works well.

Dealing with Wet Conditions

If your clogs frequently get wet, ensure they dry completely between uses. Stuff with newspaper to absorb internal moisture, and store in a well-ventilated area. Persistently damp clogs develop odours and can degrade faster.

Consider rotating between two pairs of garden clogs if you use them daily—this gives each pair time to dry completely while the other is in use.

Restoring Tired Clogs

Even with good maintenance, clogs eventually show wear. Some issues can be addressed at home; others indicate it's time for replacement.

Refreshing Faded EVA

Sun exposure can fade coloured EVA clogs. While the colour can't be fully restored, applying a thin coat of silicone-based protectant (like Armor All) can enhance the remaining colour and add some UV protection against future fading. Apply sparingly and avoid the footbed to maintain grip.

Reviving Cork Footbeds

Compressed or worn cork footbeds cannot be restored—the customised shape that developed to your foot is part of what makes them comfortable. However, you can address surface issues: light sanding with fine-grit sandpaper (400 grit) removes minor surface discolouration, followed by cork sealant application.

When to Replace Rather Than Repair

Some damage indicates your clogs have reached end of life:

• Visible cracking or separation of sole from upper
• Significantly compressed cushioning that doesn't rebound
• Worn-through tread affecting slip resistance
• Structural deformation that affects fit
• Persistent odour that doesn't respond to cleaning

Preventive Care Strategies

The best maintenance is preventive. These strategies help your clogs last longer and perform better:

Proper Storage

• Store clogs at room temperature, away from direct sunlight
• Avoid storing near heat sources (radiators, hot water heaters)
• Don't stack heavy items on top of clogs
• Use shoe trees or stuff with newspaper to maintain shape during long storage

Usage Practices

• Rotate between multiple pairs to allow each to fully dry
• Use appropriate clogs for each activity (don't garden in your nursing clogs)
• Put clogs on and off properly—don't crush the heel backing
• Address minor issues (loose straps, minor tears) before they worsen

Material-Specific Quick Reference

Here's a quick summary of dos and don'ts by material:

EVA/Foam

Do: Rinse with water, use mild soap, air dry, clean ventilation holes. Don't: Machine wash, use heat to dry, use harsh chemicals, leave in hot cars.

Cork

Do: Damp cloth clean, seal periodically, store in moderate humidity. Don't: Soak in water, use harsh cleaners, store in extreme temperatures.

Leather

Do: Wipe clean, condition regularly, address stains promptly. Don't: Soak, use heat to dry, neglect conditioning, ignore early signs of cracking.

Rubber

Do: Wash thoroughly, use mild soap, dry completely. Don't: Use petroleum-based cleaners, store in direct sunlight, ignore persistent odours.