Ultimate Cleaning Guide for Teva Sandals

Teva is a footwear company that specializes in sandals. It was founded in 1984 by Mark Thatcher, a rafting enthusiast, who decided to make his own shoes after noticing there was a lack of proper footwear for river activities.

It took some trial and error but he eventually created the first pair of sports sandals, which proved to be a huge success. After he put them on the market, he went on to sell more than 200 pairs in the first year.

Deodorizing & Caring For Teva Sandals and Shoes

Teva products are made with sports in mind, meaning they’re built for durability. Several models also feature a waterproof finish.

To ensure that they last, you must care for them properly. That means washing them every now to prevent dirt and mud from staining the fabric.

Materials Used by Teva

Most of their footwear, including their flip-flops, is made from synthetic materials. Here are some of the ones that they use:

Polyester

Polyester is a synthetic polymer that’s often used for sportswear including clothes and shoes. Not only is it more durable than traditional fabrics but it’s also capable of pulling sweat and moisture from your skin.

Couple that with the fact that it’s cheap to make, and it’s easy to see why it’s so popular.

Nylon

Nylon was originally made as a substitute for silk and is soft, lightweight, flexible, and durable, which makes it comfortable to wear.

Not only can it be used by itself but it can be blended with other fabrics for added elasticity and strength.

The Different Types of Teva Soles

Teva is known for its various soles, including:

Durabrasion Rubber Sole

Their Durabrasion Rubber soles feature a durable construction that provides performance without adding a lot of weight to the shoe.

They also provide great traction, which is exactly what you need when you’re out and about.

Float-Lite Midsole

Their Float-Lite midsole is feather-light and super durable. It also provides great traction and grip on various types of terrain.

EVA-Foam Midsole

EVA is a man-made material that’s often considered a type of foam. Not only does it provide comfort but it also provides stability. Given that it’s foam, it’s also lightweight, which means that it won’t add to the overall bulkiness of the shoe.

How to Wash Teva Sandals – Explained

There are a couple of ways to wash Teva sandals – you can either wash them by hand or put them in the washer.

Handwashing Your Teva Sandals

First things first, you want to remove any dirt or grit that might have built up on the soles. To do this, use a soft-bristled brush (e.g. old toothbrush, dish brush) and scrub gently.

Clapping the sandals together might also help to loosen some of the particles that are stuck on the fabric.

Once you’ve gotten rid of all the dirt, you can proceed to wash the sandals with water. The easiest way to go about doing this is to fill a basin or large sink with cool water.

Mix in a bit of ACTIVE Detergent, agitate the water, and you’ll have a soapy solution for the shoes. Keep in mind the materials, however.

For example, if your sandals are made of leather, you’ll want to use a leather-safe cleaner, instead of ACTIVE Detergent.

For this section, however, we’ll assume they’re made from man-made materials.

Once the detergent is dissolved, place your sandals in the mixture. Don’t hesitate to bend the shoes if necessary – that will help to open up the grooves, which will allow for better cleaning. Let them soak for at least 25 to 30 minutes, the longer the better.

From there, you want to rinse away the soap. There are two ways to do this; you can either drain away the sudsy water and refill the sink with clean water or you can hold the sandals under the faucet. Either way works as long as you rinse away all the soap residue.

Note: Some of their sandals are treated with a zinc product that prevents residue growth. To “reactivate” it, you’ll have to expose the shoes to sunlight – just 15 minutes or so will do.

Can You Put Teva Sandals Into the Washing Machine?

It’s not recommended that you put their sandals in the washing machine. However, you may be able to get away with it if you’re careful.

First things first, you want to get rid of the dirt and grit. To do that, clap the soles together or scrub them with a brush.

Once it’s free from debris, place it in a laundry bag – that is important as it’ll prevent it from being thrown around, which can damage the sandals. Not only that but it’ll also keep them together during the wash cycle.

Avoid washing the sandals with other items if possible.

Note: Certain sandals, such as those made from leather, should not be put in the washer as the materials are more delicate.

Place the sandals in and set the washing machine to a gentle or delicate setting – you want to minimize the amount of agitation.

Next, add a scoop of ACTIVE Detergent. Set the machine to a cold water setting and start the wash cycle.

Let it run fully before removing the laundry bag. Take out your sandals once it’s done washing and let them air dry.

Don’t put your sandals in the clothes dryer – the high heat can cause the straps and sole to warp.

How to Deodorize Teva Sandals

There are a few things you can do to deodorize your dirty sandals.

Using an Anti-Bacterial Mouthwash

Believe it or not, you can clean your Teva sandals with mouthwash.

Don’t use it at full strength, though – you want to dilute it with water first (approximately one cup mouthwash to two cups water).

Place your sandals in the mouthwash solution once it’s thoroughly mixed and let it soak for at least 15 minutes. The mouthwash will help to kill off any odor-causing bacteria that’s on the shoe.

After soaking the sandals, scrub the outer surface with a soft-bristled brush and let it air dry.

Using Baking Soda

Baking soda is super versatile. Not only is it great for baking but you can also use it as a deodorizer for your sandals as well.

Plus, it’s easy to use. Simply sprinkle a layer on the footbed.

Once you’ve done that, let the powder sit for at least 10 hours (overnight is recommended if your sandals are excessively smelly).

If necessary, you can strengthen the deodorizing effect by placing the sandals in a plastic bag and sealing it with baking soda inside.

Putting Them In The Freezer

Another way to get rid of the smell is to put them in the freezer. Before you do that, though, be sure to place the shoes in a plastic bag. That way, you won’t have to worry about contaminating your food.

Once the sandals are in the bag, place them in the freezer and allow them to freeze overnight. The cold temperature will help to neutralize the smell.

Cleaning Teva Sandals – FAQs

Can you put Teva sandals in the washing machine?

It’s best to wash your Teva sandals by hand. Having said that, you can put them in the washer, as long as you take proper precautions.

That means putting the sandals in a mesh laundry bag and washing them separately from your clothes. Using the right type of detergent is also important – we recommend ACTIVE Detergent as it contains enzymes that will break down dirt and residues.

And remember, always use a gentle or delicate cycle. Don’t use a normal cycle as it’ll be too harsh for the sandals.

Can you put Teva sandals in the dryer?

No, you should never put your sandals in the dryer. The high temperature will not only cause the material to deteriorate but it can also melt the glue, which is holding certain parts of the sandals together.

What’s the best way to clean leather Teva shoes?

Never put your leather shoes in the washing machine or wash them by hand in the sink. The water will permanently damage the leather material.

Use a specially designed leather cleaner instead.