Can I Put My Chacos In The Washing Machine?

Hand washing or machine washing: what is the best for Chacos? Chacos sandals are durable, versatile, and comfortable for outdoor enthusiasts. However, these sandals become dirty very quickly. If we don't wash them regularly, they look unhygienic and deteriorate with time. Well, many people think Chacos washing means tossing them in a machine, but this is not right!

If you want to wash your Chacos, you should prefer hand washing to maintain its durability. You can floss the sandal straps, clean its leather with a damp cloth, and rub its footbed gently for detailed cleaning. However, if you want to wash Chacos in the machine, use mild detergent, a gentle washing cycle, and colder water. Don't use bleach or a dryer!

You can read this guide till the end to understand more about Chacos washing. Here we have explained everything that is required for washing Chacos sandals.

A Guide For Washing Your Well-Loved Chacos

If you want to keep your chaos well-maintained and stylish, you need to clean them regularly. Regular cleaning practice can improve your Chacos performance and ensure limitless outdoor excursions. 

Here's a table mentioning the safe and unsafe conditions of your Chacos sandals wash:

Method 1: The Washing Machine Approach - Try In Rare Cases

Many Chaco enthusiasts wash their Chacos in the washing machine. Washing Chacos in the machine can put pressure and agitation on your sandal and can cause damage to footbeds and straps.

Well, if you want to wash your Chacos in the machine, you can try the given precautions to save your sandal life and health:

1: Choose The Gentle Cycle

You should choose the delicate washing cycle while washing Chacos in the machine. The gentle cycle doesn't create any harsh impact on the sandals. 

2: Use Mild Detergent

Typically, we add high chemical detergents in the machine but these detergents and bleach are harmful for Chacos. Therefore, you should use natural detergents to improve your Chacos life quality. The blend of baking soda and water is an inexpensive and helpful option to protect the integrity of the Chacos sandals. This mixture cleans your sandals, removes bacteria, and deodorizes the footbeds.

3: Remove Straps If Possible

You need to be very conscious while washing your Chacos because every step matters! While washing the sandals, you can remove its straps to protect them from tangling. 

4: Avoid Extreme Heat

Chacos are not heat-friendly, so you shouldn't put them in a dryer or under direct sunlight. We recommend you dry your Chacos sandals in natural air.

Method 2: Hand Washing - A Safe Washing Method

The right way to wash Chaco sandals is handwashing. Though it is an effort-taking process, it is the most controlled and efficient Chacos cleaning method.

Here's A Simple Guide To Hand Wash Your Chacos:

Step 1: Prepare A Gentle Cleaning Solution

You can create a mixture of water and mild detergent. Don't add harsh chemicals, as they can potentially damage the Chacos.

Step 2: Scrub With Care

Since it is hand washing, you need to wash your sandals moderately. Being very gentle will not give in-depth cleaning; similarly, harsh cleaning can affect its life. 

Always try to use a soft brush or cloth to gently scrub its parts - the footbed, straps, and outsole. You can use a soapy solution while cleaning, but make sure you clean every crevice and hard-to-reach area.

Floss Sandal Straps

• Damp your sandal straps in water.
• You can apply a small amount of fabric softener to the straps. It will detach the dust from them.
• You can rub your sandal straps or slide them back and forth through their channels. This sliding will also help to remove unwanted dust.

Deodorizing The Sandal

• First, you need to scrub the sandal's footbed with baking soda and water mixture. You can use the firm-bristled brush.
• Then air dry your sandal to make it dry and to remove its smell.

Treat The Leather Extra-Special

Some Chacos are made of leather, which makes them very sensitive. Thus, you need to wash them carefully to remove dust and debris. 

•  First, you need to completely wipe your Chacos using a wet cloth.
• Then dab the different areas of the sandal.
• In the end, air dries the Chacos to protect the leather from brittle or cracking.
• You can also use leather cleaner or conditioner to add shine.

Step 3: Rinse Thoroughly

After scrubbing the sandal, you can rinse off the sandal to remove soap residues.

Step 4: Air Dry

Once shoes are washed, you can dry your sandals naturally in the air. Direct sunlight or any heat source is not good for sandals. Hence, you shouldn't use air dry as it can put your shoes to irreparable harm.

Proper Maintenance Of Chacos For Longevity

If you want to keep your sandals in top condition, you can consider the following tips:

Inspect Wear And Tear

You should check the straps, buckles, and footbed regularly to find if there is any damage. You should quickly address the issue to avoid it from increasing.

Store Them Properly

When your sandals are not in use, store them in a dry and cool place, away from direct sunlight.

Avoid Harsh Conditions

Though Chacos are manufactured for rugged use; still, you should protect them from exposure to extreme heat, chemicals, and rough surfaces.

Our Summary

Chacos is one of the best regular footwear that keeps your feet comfortable, but due to excessive use, it collects dust and grime. So, its regular wash is necessary to protect the sandals from wear and tear. People often prefer machine washing due to ease, but an unchecked machine wash can reduce your Chacos lifespan. 

So, you can read this guide to explore the ideal steps to wash your Chacos in the machine. However, hand washing (the steps mentioned above) is the more recommended method to increase Chaco's life and to enjoy its exceptional performance.