Best Washing Tips for Sanuk Shoes & Sandals

Sanuk is a footwear company that specializes in sandals. Aside from that, they also sell flip flops, boots, slip-ons, and more. They even have a line that’s specifically designed for yoga! Not only do they offer women’s products, but they also sell ones for men and children.

More About Sanuk

Sanuk was founded by Jeff Kelley in 1997. Named after the Thai word for “fun”, the brand initially sold sandals made from inner tubes and carpet. Since then, the brand has grown tremendously. Nowadays, the company’s products are sold in nearly 70 countries worldwide including those in Australia, South America, Asia, and Europe. They’ve also collaborated with a number of professional athletes such as Chris Sharma, Matt Meal, and Jeremy Jones.

More About Sanuk Footwear

Sanuk is known for putting out some of the trendiest sandals and flip flops. If anything, their most popular product is the Sidewalk Surfer—it’s the world’s first sandal and shoe hybrid. Not only are they lightweight, but they’re comfortable as well.

Price-wise, you’re looking at around $70 to $90 for a pair, depending on the style and design. With that said, there are deals to be had. For one thing, they have a sale section on their site where you can grab some of their shoes for cheap. For instance, they have some that are marked down to $45 at the time of this writing.

Taking Care of Sanuk Sandals and Shoes

Sanuk shoes are durable but you still want to do your part to take good care of them. Walked through the mud? Then you’ll want to give them a rinse when you get home. The longer you wait, the deeper it’ll set into the fabric, which will make it more difficult to clean.

Sweat is a thing too. It can and will get onto the fabric, especially if you wear them without socks. Fortunately, you can wash the shoes easily. Just make sure to do it the right way, otherwise, you can wear them down prematurely, which will be a waste of the product!

Not sure how to wash Sanuk shoes? Need some tips? Then keep reading because that’s what we’ll be discussing below!

Materials Used By Sanuk Shoes

What are Sanuk shoes made of? What kind of fabrics do they use? We’re here to answer that question.

Yoga Mat

We’re not kidding—they literally have a collection that’s made from recycled yoga mats. Not only is it soft, but it also provides cushiony comfort for your feet. If anything, it’s completely different from traditional sandals. As for the straps, they’re made from recycled cloth straps. In other words, the whole shoe s made from recycled materials!

Hemp Fabric

Sanuk also sells shoes made from hemp fabric. Highly durable, the material is derived from the cannabis sativa plant, which also happens to be one of the fastest-growing plants in the world. This makes it a sustainable textile. Lightweight and absorbent, it’s often used for outdoor wear.

Canvas Material

The brand offers a variety of shoes made from canvas fabric (either made from cotton or linen). Light and versatile, it’s often used for footwear and bags. What’s more, is that it’s been treated with enzymes. In other words, the material is softer than normal. You’d definitely be able to feel the difference!

Fleece Material

Fleece is not only softer than wool, but it’s also more breathable and comfortable. Given that, it’s not surprising to know that they use it for a variety of their shoes—loafers, to be more specific. An excellent insulator, it’ll keep your feet warm even on the coldest of days. In addition to that, it’s very durable and can withstand wear and tear much better than other materials.

How to Wash Sanuk Sandals

While their sandals are comfortable, they do tend to get dirty easily. Fortunately, they’re easy to clean up. Here are a couple of ways that you can do that.

Can You Toss Sanuk Sandals Into the Washer?

Yes, their sandals are machine washable. In fact, that’s what they tell you to do on their official website. First things first—check to see if there’s any obvious mud or dirt stain on the sole. If there is, remove it by gently clapping the sandals together. That way, the washer will be able to clean them better.

The next step is to use a laundry bag—that is, you want to put the Sanuk sandals inside. That will protect them from the agitator, which can cause damage to the materials. It’ll also minimize friction if you decide to wash it with other items, though we don’t recommend it. With that said, it is a good idea to put in a few towels (ones that you don’t mind getting dirty). That will help to balance the washing machine during the cycle.

Fill the washer with cold water and add in a scoop if ACTIVE detergent. Do not use hot water—the recycled fabric used for the straps can shrink or stretch with heat, which will affect the fit of the sandal. From there, proceed to run it on a gentle cycle. Avoid using bleach.

Go ahead and take out the laundry bag once the wash cycle is finished. You want to do this as soon as possible, otherwise, residues can form on the fabric, which can lead to a pungent odor. In terms of drying, you want to let them dry naturally away from direct sunlight. Do not dry the sandals in the dryer; the heat can damage the strap and the sole.

Washing Sanuk Sandals By Hand

Sanuk sandals are also easy to wash by hand. As with machine washing, the first thing that you want to do is “brush off” any mud or dirt from the soles. Once you’ve done that, move to a sink and fill it approx. half full with cool water. Take out your bag of ACTIVE detergent and add in one scoop. Mix until all the detergent powder is fully dissolved.

Proceed to put your sandals in the sink. The sole and the upper should all be fully submerged in the soapy liquid. Like that, let it sit for at least 30 minutes. Afterward, rinse it clean with water. Continue to do so until there are no more signs of detergent. Take the sandal out of the sink and let it air dry away from direct sunlight.

Cleaning Tips for Sanuk Yoga Mat Flip Flops

Their yoga mat flip flops are a little different from their other shoes in that the footbed is porous. While this provides comfort, it also means that it has a tendency to soak in water. For this reason, you want to avoid soaking them. In other words, avoid putting them in the washing machine. Hand washing in the sink should also be avoided.

Instead, what you want to do is to spot clean the problem areas. Start by dissolving a bit of ACTIVE detergent in water. Saturate a sponge or brush with the soapy mixture and apply it onto the stains. For the best results, use gentle, circular motions. Always work from the outside toward the center—they’ll help prevent the stain from spreading further.

When you’re finished scrubbing, rinse the area thoroughly. The best way to do this is to saturate a clean cloth with water and apply it onto the flip flop. Continue wiping until there’s no more detergent and let it air dry.

How to Wash Sanuk Yoga Slings

Their Yoga Slings are similar to some of their flip flops in that they’re made from yoga mat material. Ultimately, what this means is that you can wash them the same way. Avoid putting them in the washer or washing them by hand in the sink. Instead, spot treat the area with a detergent and water mixture. When you’re finished, allow it to dry.

Washing Instructions for Sanuk Canvas Shoes

Their canvas shoes are probably the easiest to wash out of all their products. For one thing, all of them are machine washable.

Washing Sanuk Canvas Shoes in the Washer

Start by removing any debris from the sole. Once you’ve done that, place the canvas shoe in a laundry bag. Close the zipper and place it into the washer. That will prevent them from being tossed around during the wash and rinse cycle, which can damage the canvas fabric. Consider adding in a couple of towels to balance the weight.

Set the washing machine to a delicate cycle; make sure not to use hot water. Add a scoop of ACTIVE detergent to the soap drawer or drum, depending on the type of washer that you have, and run the cycle. Make sure not to use bleach or fabric softeners as those are not suitable for the canvas material.

Take the canvas shoes out afterward and place them in a well-ventilated area for drying. Do not attempt to dry them with the clothes dryer; the heat can shrink the fabric.

Washing Sanuk Canvas Shoes in the Sink

Their canvas shoes can also be soaked and washed in the sink. Start by filling it with cool water; make sure not to fill it too much, otherwise, the water can flow out once you put the shoes in. The next step is to mix in a scoop of ACTIVE detergent. Continuously swirl the water to dissolve the powder.

Put your canvas shoes into the sink full of water; all of the fabric, including the sole, should be completely submerged. Leave it like that for at least 20 to 30 minutes. Place the shoe under running water afterward to clean off the detergent. Continue to rinse until there are no more signs of soap and let them air dry.