How to Shrink Crocs (And Un-Shrink!)

Welcome to my how to shrink Crocs guide.

Let me tell you about the time I bought a pair of Bistro Crocs. Like anyone with a half shoe size, I rounded up just like Crocs told me too.

Big mistake.

I couldn’t get my clogs to stay on for the life of me. It felt like wearing two giant paper bags on my feet around the office.

I was about to buy a new pair when a friend of mine told me you could actually shrink Crocs by leaving them in the sun for a while. That sounded A LOT better than spending $50 on a new pair.

So I did a ton of research, and it turns out there are 3 ways to shrink Crocs that work like a charm.

Ready? Let’s make shrunken heads out of those Crocs ASAP.

Wait, How Can Crocs Actually Shrink?

Good question.

Crocs are made of Croslite, a fancy material created by Crocs that makes them light, comfy, and impervious to oil and grease.

When heated, the cellular composition of this material is compromised (but not too much). This allows the wearer to mold the shoe slightly. So in this case, you can gain some wiggle room, and get your Crocs down a size (or up if you want!).

Read on…

1. Boil Your Crocs

It’s Croc stew time, baby.

Boil a big pot of water. If I have to tell you how to do that, you have bigger problems than shrinking your Crocs.

Put the pot on high heat and when the water is hot, toss them in for 5 minutes.

Gently stir with tongs. If I were you, I’d let them simmer in there for a few minutes more.

And for the love of god, let them cool off for at least 30 minutes before putting them on. What’s wrong with you?

2. Leave Your Crocs in the Hot Sun for an Hour

A bunch of people told me to leave my Crocs in the car for 20 minutes under the hot sun.

Yeah, if you live in Death Valley that’s cool, but for the rest of us, it’s going to take longer.

Wait for a sunny day, then throw them up on the dash for at least an hour. This should shrink them a tad. At the very least, it’ll make them more rigid and slightly more snug.

3. The Dryer and Wet Towel Method

Wrap your Crocs in some damp towels and toss them in the dryer. Make sure to throw in at least 2-3 towels to avoid damaging the dryer and avoid that awful clunking noise as they smash into the sides of the appliance.

Wait about 10 minutes, take them out, and try them on. If they don’t feel tight enough, repeat 2-3 more times until they’re more snug.

This is my favorite method, and the one I’ve found to be the most effective.

4. The Hair Dryer and Wet Towel Method

OK, I don’t recommend this method but I’ve heard good things.

It’s basically the same as the dryer method, just longer and less powerful or effective.

Put your Cocs in some damp towels and set your hair dryer to medium. Now, dry them off like you would your hair after taking a shower. You only need about 10-15 minutes to dry them off. Try them on and see if they fit. If not, repeat.

How to Unshrink Crocs?

This is perfect for anyone who’s shoes are too tight. Especially if you wear a half size and can’t find the right fit.

Here’s what to do…

Boil your Crocs for 1 minute only. Seriously, that’s all it takes.

Now, put on 2-3 pairs of socks so your foot is big and swollen.

Then, slap on your crocs and flex your foot around almost like you’re breaking in a pair of gloves. Press your toes to the bottom of your Cocs and lean back on the heels a bit. This will get you a bunch of extra wiggle room you didn’t have before.

Pretty cool, right?

Verdict - What’s the Best Way to Shrink Your Crocs?

All of these methods have proven to work in one way or another, but I highly recommend the dryer and damp towel method or just boiling them. In my experience, the dryer works the best because it’s the easiest to test and takes less time to cool than boiling them. And it comes with less risk of weird injuries.

Try them out and see what works! Let me know if it helps at all!

F.A.Q

Q: How do you shrink big Crocs?

A: Shrink big Crocs by boiling them for 5 minutes or sticking them in the dryer for 10-15 minutes wrapped in 2-3 damp towels. Try them on. If they are still loose, repeat the process.

Q: How long does it take for Crocs to shrink?

A: Crocs will naturally shrink after you wear them for a while, but they’ll shrink much faster in boiling water. You can usually shrink Crocs in 10-15 minutes this way.

Q: Can you put Crocs in the dryer to shrink them?

A: YES! You can put Crocs in the dryer to shrink them. I’ve done this a few times. BUT cover them in some clothing so they don't come in direct contact of the steel housing inside the dryer.

Q: Do Crocs shrink in the washing machine?

A: Yes, Cocs do shrink the washing machine or dishwasher because of the level of heat. However, I don’t recommend shrinking them this way for a few reasons. For one, it takes a long time. Two, the soap could damage your Crocs. I would definitely recommend using your drying machine instead. Crocs shrink in the dryer in about 15 minutes.

Q: Do Crocs get bigger as you wear them?

A: In general, no Crocs don’t get bigger as you wear them unless you are wearing a very tight fit. If you have a tight fitting Crocs, then it will begin to wear and tear a bit, making them fit looser than before. However, Crocs tend to be loose fitting anyway, so wearing them shouldn’t make them bigger. If anything, they should shrink a bit due to exposure.