How To Wash My Hey Dudes | The Machine Mistake Most People

Tossing your Hey Dudes into the washing machine on a regular cycle feels like a time-saver. Within one spin, the lightweight fabric can shrink, the shape can warp, and the soft insole may lose its cushioning. That comfortable fit you love? Gone.

Most Hey Dude styles are machine washable, but only with the right settings. Cold water, a delicate cycle, and a small amount of liquid detergent protect the materials. Leather and suede pairs need a hand-wash approach to avoid lasting damage. This article walks through which method fits your shoes and the steps to do it right.

Prepare The Shoes The Right Way

Before the shoes ever touch water, remove the laces and insoles. The official Hey Dude care instructions emphasize this first step. Laces can snag or tangle in the machine, and insoles need separate cleaning.

Use a small amount of liquid detergent — never powder or bleach. Powder can leave residue inside the fabric, and bleach weakens the fibers. A teaspoon or two of liquid detergent is plenty for a single pair.

Check the care tag inside each shoe. Most fabric styles are machine-safe, but leather or suede will have a warning. If the tag says “hand wash only,” follow that guidance strictly.

Why The Wrong Cycle Ruins The Fit

Running Hey Dudes through a normal or heavy-duty cycle can damage the shoe’s structure. The high spin speed and warm water cause the foam midsole to lose shape, the fabric to shrink, and the colors to fade. Here are the most common machine-washing mistakes and what they do.

• Shrinking the upper fabric: Warm or hot water causes the knit or canvas to contract, making the shoe tighter than before.
• Warping the sole: High-speed spinning can deform the lightweight EVA outsole, leading to an uneven walking surface.
• Separating the sole from the upper: Aggressive agitation weakens the glue bond, especially on older shoes.
• Fading colors: Warm water and harsh detergents pull dye out of the fabric, leaving them looking patchy.
• Damaging the insole cushioning: Even if you forget to remove the insoles, the machine can compress the foam permanently.

All of these issues are avoidable by sticking to a gentle cycle with cold water. The brand itself advises this setting, and it preserves the original fit and comfort of the shoes.

Step-By-Step Machine Washing

Once you’ve removed the laces and insoles, place the shoes in a mesh laundry bag to protect them from abrasion. The official Hey Dude cleaning guide recommends a gentle cycle cold water setting for all fabric styles.

Set the machine to the delicate or gentle cycle. Add the shoes and a small amount of liquid detergent. Do not use fabric softener — it coats the fibers and reduces breathability. Run the cycle with cold water only; warm or hot water risks shrinkage.

When the cycle finishes, remove the shoes immediately. Stuff them with clean towels to help them hold their shape as they dry. Never put Hey Dudes in a dryer — the heat destroys the foam midsole and shrinks the fabric beyond repair.

Once the wash cycle ends, the drying process is just as important. A rushed drying step can undo all the care you put into washing.

When To Hand Wash Instead

Machine washing works for most Hey Dude styles, but leather and suede versions require a completely different approach. The Spruce’s cleaning guide notes that these materials can be damaged by water submersion and machine agitation. Hand washing keeps them looking their best.

1. Identify the material: Check the care tag or product description. If it says leather, suede, or nubuck, do not machine wash.
2. Spot clean first: Use a soft brush or cloth with a small amount of mild soap and cold water. Gently scrub the soiled area.
3. Rinse with a damp cloth: Wipe away soap residue with a clean, damp cloth. Avoid soaking the shoe.
4. Air dry away from heat: Stuff with paper towels and let them dry at room temperature. Never use a hair dryer.
5. Condition leather if needed: After drying, apply a leather conditioner to restore softness.

Hand washing takes a bit more time, but it preserves the natural texture and prevents peeling or cracking. For fabric styles that need a deeper clean, stick to the machine method instead.

Getting The Drying Step Right

Air drying is the only safe method for Hey Dude shoes. The official care instructions emphasize this point. For leather and suede styles, The Spruce’s leather suede hand wash guide emphasizes air drying as the final step after spot cleaning.

Remove the shoes from the washer or hand-wash basin. Gently squeeze out excess water without twisting or wringing. Stuff the shoes with clean, dry towels or paper towels to absorb moisture and help them hold their shape.

Place the shoes in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Drying can take 12 to 24 hours. Resist the urge to speed things up with a dryer, radiator, or hair dryer — those methods cause irreversible damage.

The Bottom Line

Washing your Hey Dudes correctly comes down to two key choices: use cold water on a gentle cycle for fabric styles, and hand wash leather or suede. Always remove laces and insoles first. Never use a dryer, and always air dry with the shoes stuffed to preserve their shape. These simple steps keep the fit and comfort intact over time.

If you’re unsure about your shoe’s material or have a stubborn stain, check the official care page or ask a shoe repair professional for advice specific to your pair.