Hey Dudes has graduated from being a staple in the teenage verbal repertoire to a well-loved shoe brand. The shoes are light-as-a-feather and only get stiff-as-a-board when you haven't washed them in months. If you're smelling that used-shoe funk we all know so well, it's time to learn how to wash your Hey Dudes to keep them smell and dirt-free.
How to Clean Your Hey Dudes
Hey Dudes have shoes for the whole family, and they come in casual materials like knits and dressier ones like suede and leather. Because they're so comfortable, you probably wear them nearly every day, which can lead to some serious funky buildup. If your Hey Dudes are overdue for a wash, check out these easy ways to clean them.
Machine Wash
On the Hey Dude's website, they recommend for their non-special shoes (anything but suede, leather, and wool) that you machine wash them. Just make sure before you toss them in the wash on a gentle/delicate cycle in cold water that you take out the insoles and the shoelaces, as they can get ruined in the machine.
Once they're finished, leave them out to air dry. Although sunny spots will dry them faster, they'll also damage the fabric, so best not to give them too much sun.
Use Suede Cleaners for Special Shoes
Say you own a pair of the Hey Dude Pauls. You can't machine wash them because they're suede trimmed, and leather lined. In this case, you'll need to wash them more carefully.
Materials You Need
- Suede brush
- Microfiber cloth
- Suede cleaner (or distilled white vinegar)
Instructions
- Rub out dirt and debris using a suede brush.
- Pour a small dot of suede cleaner (or distilled white vinegar) on a dry microfiber cloth.
- Rub the cleaner into the shoe, making sure you cover it (but not soak it).
- Once finished, leave it to dry.
Clean the Soles With a Magic Eraser
The soles of a pair of shoes get the most wear and tear and will look grimy after only a few weeks of wearing them. With Hey Dudes, you can take a magic eraser to the soles to get them looking bright white again.
Hand Wash Your Foot Inserts
Foot inserts and shoelaces should never be washed in a washing machine. Instead, you can handwash your Hey Dude insoles with a mild detergent in a tub or sink filled with water. Make sure to rinse them thoroughly and then set flat to dry. Make sure they're completely dry before you put them back in the shoes.
Spot Clean Between Washes
Sometimes, you just get rid of a small stain on your shoe, which doesn't warrant you putting them through an entire wash cycle. Instead, you can spot clean your Hey Dudes with a damp cloth and some mild laundry detergent. As always, press out the moisture with a towel and set out to air dry.
How to Keep Your Hey Dudes From Stinking Up Your House
Because most people don't wear Hey Dudes with socks, they can get smelly real quick. There are a few things you can do to keep them from getting to that noxious smell zone:
- Leave dryer sheets in them when you're not wearing them.
- Cover the insole with a no-show sock to absorb any sweat.
- Sprinkle your feet with baby powder to keep them from sweating too much.
- Store shoes in cool areas to avoid colonizing the bacteria and increasing the smell.
Invest in a Shoe Cleaning Routine
Unlike clothes or bodies, shoes aren't something we think about washing every week. Yet, if you take care of your shoes, they'll take care of you and last for much longer. So, put a little effort into your investment by consistently cleaning your Hey Dudes from the jump.
