Reef shoes starting to look grimy or smell… swampy?

Good news: they're easy to clean, and that odor from water and sweat can be kicked fast with a few simple steps. Whether yours are EVA, rubber, knit, canvas, or leather-strap styles, each just needs slightly different care.

In this guide, you'll learn quick cleans, deep cleans, odor removal, drying, and easy maintenance, plus how to use SneakERASERS for fast scuff and dirt touch-ups. Ready to revive your Reef shoes? Keep reading.

Understanding Your Reef Shoe Material

Check what your Reef shoes are made of before you clean them.

EVA foam sandals can handle simple soap and water.

Rubber outsoles like a good cleaning.

Knit or canvas uppers need gentle hand washing so the fabric does not stretch or fray.

Leather straps are the picky ones and should never be soaked, just wiped with a damp cloth and treated with care.

A quick look at your shoes now saves you from wrecking them later.

Each material takes in water and odor in its own way. Foam and fabric tend to soak things up faster, which means they can trap sweat and smell if you do not dry them well.

Rubber usually holds odor less, but grime can cling to the surface. Leather can stain or crack if it stays wet too long. Once you know what you are working with, you can clean smarter and keep smells from sticking around. For more insights on caring for different shoe materials, proper material identification is your first step.

Basic Cleaning Methods for Reef Shoes

Start with this basic cleaning method before you try anything fancy. It works for most Reef sandals and lifestyle shoes, as long as they do not have leather straps.

The goal is simple: get rid of sweat, sand, and grime without wrecking the materials. Mild soap is your friend. Strong cleaners and wild scrubbing are not. EVA foam, in particular, can get scratched or worn down if you scrub it too hard.

1. Brush off loose dirt with a soft brush or cloth.

2. Mix a small amount of mild soap with lukewarm water, not hot.

3. Gently swipe the footbed and straps, paying attention to dirty spots.

4. Rinse lightly so you remove soap, but do not soak materials that hold water.

5. Let your shoes air dry naturally; you will learn the right way in the drying section.

Skip bleach, harsh cleaners, and machine washing if you want your Reef shoes to actually survive. This gentle approach to cleaning Reef sandals protects the integrity of foam and fabric materials while removing daily buildup effectively.

Using SneakERASERS for Quick Cleaning

SneakERASERS are small cleaning pads that wipe away scuffs, marks, dried dirt, and surface buildup fast. They work especially well on EVA footbeds, rubber outsoles, and synthetic straps.

Think of them as a quick reset when your Reef shoes look tired but are not truly filthy yet. They do not replace a full wash, but they keep your shoes looking cleaner between deeper manual cleans.

1. Slightly dampen the SneakERASERS pad or follow the product instructions.

2. Rub gently on footbeds, toe marks, and rubber areas to lift dirt.

3. Use light pressure on knit or canvas parts and skip suede or leather straps.

4. Let the shoes dry in the air and keep going with your day.

For those wondering about effectiveness, check out how SneakERASERS compare to traditional soap and water methods for quick cleaning sessions.

Deep Cleaning Method: What's the Best Way?

Deep cleaning is for when your Reef shoes smell strong, have visible grime, sweat stains, or a white crust from saltwater. This method is best for foam and rubber-based styles, like EVA and full-rubber sandals.

Do not soak leather straps or knit uppers, since they can warp, stain, or get damaged. If your shoes look and smell rough even after a quick clean, it is time for this routine.

1. Fill a bowl or bucket with lukewarm water and a small amount of mild detergent.

2. Submerge EVA or full-rubber sandals only, and let them soak for a short time.

3. Use a soft brush to swipe footbeds, grooves, and textured areas.

4. Rinse thoroughly until all soap is gone.

5. Air dry completely in a shaded, ventilated spot.

Keep soaking time reasonable, since long soaks can weaken adhesives and shorten the life of your shoes. This thorough approach to cleaning Reef flip flops ensures you tackle stubborn odors and built-up grime without damaging the shoe structure.

When to Use the Machine Washing Method (Only for Specific Materials)

Only machine wash Reef shoes that are knit, mesh, or fabric-based. Do not machine wash leather, suede, EVA foam, or regular sandals. The heat, twisting, and water can warp these materials, loosen glue, and wreck the shape.

Machine washing should be rare and gentle, something you use when the shoes are truly loaded with dirt or odor, and hand washing is not enough.

1. Remove insoles and laces if your shoes have them.

2. Place the shoes in a mesh laundry bag so they do not slam around.

3. Use cold water with a gentle cycle and mild detergent.

4. Air dry only, away from direct heat. Never use the dryer.

Using the machine too often can break down foam, fabrics, and adhesives, so save this method for when you really need it. If you're dealing with other footwear types, learn how to wash different shoe materials safely to avoid common washing mistakes.

How to Remove the Odor from Your Reef Shoes

Odor in Reef shoes comes from sweat, bacteria, and moisture trapped in the footbeds. If your shoes smell like a forgotten beach towel, you are not stuck with them that way. You just need simple odor fixes that work fast and do not wreck the materials.

Try these proven methods:

• Sprinkle baking soda inside the shoes and leave it overnight, then shake it out.

• Lightly mist the inside with a white vinegar and water mix, then let them air out.

• Leave shoes in an open-air, shaded outdoor area to let moisture escape.

• Wash off sweat and salt with mild soap and water on the footbeds.

• Use a SneakERASERS pad to clean surface buildup that holds odor.

Always let your Reef shoes dry completely after each wear so the smells do not come back. Tackling the inside of shoes where odor breeds is crucial for long-term freshness.

How Do You Dry Reef Shoes Properly?

Always air-dry Reef shoes. Skip direct sunlight, heaters, dryers, and radiators because they can warp EVA foam, shrink fabric, and weaken glue.

Heat might feel like a shortcut, but it often ruins the shape and shortens the life of your shoes. Think slow, cool drying, not a blast furnace.

1. Pat your shoes or sandals with a towel to remove extra water.

2. For closed shoes, stuff them loosely with plain paper to pull moisture out.

3. Place them in a shaded, breezy spot outdoors or near a window, and let them dry fully before you wear them again.

Proper drying technique is essential when learning how to wash Reef shoes correctly, as moisture retention leads to both material damage and persistent odor issues.

Some Easy Tips to Keep Reef Shoes Smelling and Looking Fresh

Keep your Reef shoes fresh by treating them like gear, not decorations.

Rinse sandals with clean water after beach trips to remove salt and sand. Spot-clean sweat marks once a week so they do not build into dark, sticky patches.

Use SneakERASERS between deeper washes to wipe off scuffs and surface grime before it turns into odor. Store your shoes in open, breathable spaces, not in hot, closed cars or damp bags.

These small habits work quietly in the background. Regular light cleaning stops odor before it starts, keeps materials from breaking down, and helps your Reef shoes last longer instead of turning into crunchy, smelly fossils. Discover more strategies for making your shoes last longer with proper maintenance routines.

For proper storage between wears, follow best practices for storing shoes to maintain freshness and prevent odor buildup.

Some Common Mistakes to Avoid with Your Reef Shoes

Most ruined Reef shoes have the same villains. Avoid these, and you are already winning:

• Using bleach or a strong detergent that burns through colors and materials

• Using hot water that warps foam and weakens glue

• Scrubbing so hard that you scratch EVA and wear down the fabric

• Machine washing sandals that are not meant for the spin cycle

• Drying in direct sunlight or near heat that cooks the shoes

• Soaking leather straps that then stain, stretch, or crack

Keep this list in your head when you clean, and your Reef shoes will last a lot longer. Similar to cleaning Crocs and foam footwear, gentle methods always win over aggressive approaches.

Keep Your Reef Shoes Like New: Final Rundown

Before, your Reef shoes might have felt like a smelly mystery, easy to rinse, but tough to really freshen up.

Now you know they're simple to care for as long as you match the cleaning method to the material, whether it's EVA, rubber, knit, canvas, or leather straps.

Combine quick touch-ups with SneakERASERS cleaning products and regular deep cleans, then always dry them properly to stop odor before it starts. Start your next wear with shoes that look good and smell clean.

For comprehensive shoe care beyond just cleaning Reef sandals, explore guides on cleaning white mesh shoes, removing scuff marks effectively, and cleaning shoe soles thoroughly.

References

"How to Keep Nursing Shoes Clean." NurseJournal.org, nursejournal.org/articles/how-to-keep-nursing-shoes-clean/.

"Making Montessori: Shoe Cleaning." American Montessori Society, www.montessori.org/making-montessori-shoe-cleaning/.