How to Shrink Crocs

Co-authored by Hannah Madden

Last Updated: December 12, 2022

Did you get a new pair of Crocs, only to find that they’re just a bit too big? Returning and exchanging for a new size can be a hassle—fortunately, Crocs are made of a material that shrinks easily in the heat. In this article, we’ll give you 4 different ways you can shrink your Crocs to get the perfect fit in just a few minutes.

Things You Should Know

Boil your Crocs in water for 5 minutes to shrink them, or leave them out in the hot sun for 20 minutes.
Use a household appliance like a dryer or a hair dryer to heat them for 10 minutes.
Let your crocs fully cool before you try them on.

1

Boil the Crocs in water for 5 minutes.

Boiling water shrinks Crocs quickly without causing damage. Fill a large pot with water about 3/4 of the way full, then put it on high heat and wait until it boils. Place your Crocs into the water for 5 minutes, then use a pair of tongs to take them out.^{[1]
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- Use your tongs to gently stir the Crocs in the water so that both shoes get even coverage.
- If your Crocs can’t both fit into the pot at the same time, boil them one at a time.

2

Throw your Crocs in the dryer for 10 minutes.

Set your dryer to medium heat to shrink Crocs without warping them. Put your Crocs in the dryer for 10 minutes, then check to see how shrunken they are. If they’re still too big, put them back in the dryer for another 10 minutes.^{[2]
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3

Point a hair dryer at your Crocs for 10 minutes.

Place both of your Crocs on a flat table or countertop. Then, point the blow dryer at them and turn it on high heat. Slowly move the hair dryer back and forth over your Crocs for even coverage.^{[3]
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- This is a great method to use if you need to shrink the strap on your Crocs, too. Direct the hair dryer directly at the strap to target it.

4

Leave the Crocs in the sun for 20 minutes.

Wait for a sunny day and place your Crocs in the direct sunlight. Check them out after about 20 minutes to see how much they’ve shrunk. Direct sunlight usually makes Crocs shrink super fast, so don't forget about them.^{[4]
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- If you’re pressed for time or need your Crocs to shrink a lot, try leaving them in a hot car with the windows rolled up. Crocs shrink very quickly in a hot car, so be sure to check on them every 20 minutes or so.

5

Let your Crocs cool before trying them on.

Wait for about 5 minutes to avoid hurting your feet. Once you feel like your Crocs have shrunk enough, let them cool down and then try them on. If you need to shrink them more, don’t worry—it's possible! You can:
- Place the Crocs in boiling water for another 5 minutes.
- Throw the Crocs back in the dryer for 5 minutes.
- Heat the Crocs with your blow dryer for another 10 minutes.
- Put the shoes in direct sunlight for another 20 minutes.