To clean Reef shoes, first check the exact model, material, and care label. Reef sandals vary widely, so gentle hand cleaning is the safest default. Remove loose dirt, use the approved method for that material, clear away soap residue, and air dry in shade at room temperature.

Model-specific care matters for Reef sandals, shoes, and sneakers. Pay close attention to cork, machine washing, stubborn odor, drying, and quick SneakERASERS touch-ups.

• ERASERS groups its shoe cleaner options by smooth soles and fabric or mesh, but cleaning Reef shoes still starts with the exact model and material, followed by approved soap-and-water care and shaded air drying.

• Keep cork footbeds out of standing water unless the maker allows immersion, then let them dry slowly away from direct heat.

• Treat odor by cleaning permitted surfaces, removing detergent residue, separating removable insoles when allowed, and letting every component dry completely before the next wear.

• REEF’s published footwear directions describe hand cleaning, so use that method unless the exact model label provides a different instruction.

Start with the material list on the product page or care label. REEF's current footwear guidance separates animal leather from vegan leather, rubber, plastic, and textiles, and it gives each group a different cleaning method.

• Animal leather: Remove loose dirt with a dry, soft brush or cloth. Use saddle soap or a leather cleaner and conditioner only as directed for that material.

• Vegan leather, rubber, plastic, and textiles: Remove dry dirt, then use a soft sponge with a small amount of clear laundry soap and warm water. Use a rinsed sponge to lift away detergent.

• EVA: Check the exact model before using water or soap. Soak the shoe only when its care instructions explicitly permit immersion.

• Knit or canvas: Default to gentle hand cleaning. Use a washer only when the exact model's care label permits it. Keep dry SneakERASERS sponges off these porous uppers.

• Cork: Begin with a dry brush or soft cloth. Keep the footbed out of standing water and use a lightly dampened mild-soap wipe only when the exact model permits it.

Material rules do not transfer cleanly between brands or models. For example, check the separate guidance for cleaning Teva sandals before borrowing a soak method. Our guide to caring for different shoe materials can help you sort out the broader differences.

A Reef shoe cleaning kit should cover dry debris, approved hand washing, residue removal, and material-specific touch-ups. Keep a soft brush or cloth, mild clear soap, a clean sponge, and a towel nearby. Add SneakERASERS for compatible smooth, non-porous areas when you want to remove surface dirt or scuffs without washing the whole shoe. The water-activated 10-pack suits at-home care, and pre-moistened singles fit a travel bag. Leave cork, leather, knit, mesh, and canvas to the care method approved for that exact Reef model.

Clean cork Reef sandals with a dry, soft brush or cloth first. If the exact model permits a lightly dampened, mild-soap cloth, keep water away from seams and bonded edges and remove any residue.

Never soak a cork footbed. Blot away any residue, then air dry the sandals in shade at room temperature. For more detail on cleaning cork-footbed sandals, use the same no-soak mindset and let the model's care label settle any uncertainty.

There isn't one cleaning method for every pair of Reef sandals. Use these steps only after confirming the material and the exact model's directions.

• Brush or wipe off loose sand and dirt while the shoes are dry.

• Mix a small amount of mild, clear soap with warm water when the care label permits it.

• Dip a soft sponge into the mixture and gently clean the affected areas.

• Rinse the sponge, then use it to remove soap residue without flooding the shoe.

• Air dry the shoes in shade at room temperature.

This model-specific approach works for everyday buildup on many Reef sandals, but leather, cork, and porous uppers need their own limits. If rubber is the main material, our guide on how to clean rubber shoes walks through compatible surface care.

SneakERASERS work best for quick touch-ups on compatible, smooth, non-porous areas such as rubber outsoles and permitted synthetic surfaces. The same targeted approach helps with other smooth foam footwear that scuffs easily, like Yeezy slides.

A pre-moistened SneakERASERS pad is ready for an on-the-go touch-up. Follow the supplied directions and use short, gentle swipes instead of harder pressure.

• Use the white side on compatible non-porous areas to lift dirt and surface scuffs.

• Keep the white side off knit, mesh, canvas, suede, nubuck, and leather.

• If you're using a dry 10-pack sponge, generously moisten the white side before cleaning.

• Use the orange side to wipe away residue where the material permits it.

Choose shoe care products for the exact surface in front of you. For a closer look at where the sponge fits, see how SneakERASERS compare to traditional soap and water methods.

Deep cleaning is for visible grime, sweat buildup, or salt residue that a quick touch-up leaves behind. The exact model still controls the process. Never treat EVA, rubber, or textile construction as automatic permission to submerge the whole shoe.

• Check the care label for material limits and immersion guidance.

• Remove loose dirt with a dry, soft brush or cloth.

• Use mild soap and warm water only on the areas approved for that method.

• Clean gently with a soft sponge, then remove all detergent residue.

• Air dry every part in shade at room temperature.

Only submerge the shoe when the label explicitly permits immersion. Otherwise, keep it above the water and work section by section. That caution matters when cleaning Reef flip flops with glued layers, mixed materials, leather, or cork.

A quick touch-up is better when dirt sits on a compatible smooth surface and the rest of the shoe is clean. Use SneakERASERS for surface scuffs on approved rubber, plastic, or smooth synthetic areas. Choose a pre-moistened single away from home, or wet the white side of a dry sponge for at-home care. Wipe residue with the orange side where the material permits it. Move to model-approved hand cleaning when grime reaches porous fabric, seams, footbeds, or removable insoles.

REEF's published footwear care instructions describe hand cleaning for shoes and sandals, including textile styles. Use that method unless the exact model label provides a different instruction.

If the label is missing or unclear, use the hand-cleaning method for the material. Do not guess based on another Reef model. For footwear outside this brand, learn how to wash different shoe materials safely before choosing a washer.

• If Reef flip flops smell after getting wet, clean them with the model-approved method and let every component dry completely before wearing them again. Skip universal vinegar or baking-soda recipes, remove all detergent residue, and improve airflow while the shoes dry.

• Clean surface buildup with a soft sponge, mild soap, and warm water only where the care instructions permit it.

• Remove insoles only if they are designed to come out, then clean them separately as directed.

• Use a compatible SneakERASERS product on approved non-porous areas, using gentle swipes.

• Remove detergent residue with a rinsed sponge or the model's approved rinse method.

• Separate removable parts while drying and place everything in a ventilated, shaded area.

Do not reassemble or wear the shoes until every component is dry. If the odor remains, repeat the approved surface-cleaning steps and improve airflow around the inside of shoes where odor breeds.

• Air dry Reef shoes in shade at room temperature, as REEF directs. Keep them away from radiators, clothes dryers, and other direct heat sources, especially when cork or EVA is present.

• Blot excess water with a clean towel rather than twisting the shoe.

• Open straps, tongues, or permitted removable parts to improve airflow.

• Let every component dry fully before putting the shoes back together or wearing them.

Drying time changes with the material, construction, humidity, and how wet the shoes became. Use touch and inspection instead of a fixed countdown.

Keep Reef shoes fresh with light, regular care.

Rinse water-friendly sandals with clean water after beach trips when the exact model permits it, then remove sand and let them dry in shade. Spot-clean sweat marks when they appear so they don't build into dark, sticky patches.

Use SneakERASERS between deeper cleans on compatible non-porous areas. Store shoes in an open, breathable space instead of a hot car or damp bag.

Regular care helps prevent grime and odor buildup and supports making your shoes last longer with proper maintenance.

For the time between wears, follow best practices for storing shoes to maintain freshness and give damp footwear enough airflow.

The mistakes below can damage Reef shoes. Avoid them to protect the materials and finish.

• Using bleach or a strong detergent that can affect color or finish

• Using hot water without approval from the model's care label

• Applying excessive pressure or rough tools to EVA, fabric, or finished surfaces

• Machine washing a model without explicit permission on its care label

• Drying in direct sunlight or near concentrated heat

• Soaking leather, cork, or mixed-material sandals

Keep the method gentle and model-specific. The same caution applies when cleaning Crocs and foam footwear, where construction and material still decide what is appropriate.

Use these answers for common Reef cleaning questions, but let the exact model label settle any conflict.

REEF's published footwear instructions describe hand cleaning, so use that method unless the exact model label provides a different instruction.

Check the exact Neptune model and its material list first, since the collection includes different constructions. Follow that model's label and default to gentle hand cleaning with soft tools, mild soap where permitted, and shaded air drying.

Some Reef sandals are sold as water-friendly, but that does not cover every model or material. Check the product details before soaking them, and never assume leather or cork construction can stay wet.

Start with a dry, soft brush or cloth. Use a lightly dampened mild-soap wipe only if the exact model permits it, never soak the cork, and air dry it in shade at room temperature.

Remove surface buildup with the approved cleaning method, clear away residue, and dry every component fully. Better airflow between wears helps prevent that damp smell from settling back in.

Drying time varies by Reef model, material, construction, and conditions. Wait until the straps, footbed, seams, and any removable parts feel completely dry before wearing or reassembling the shoes.

Knowing how to clean Reef shoes comes down to one habit. Match the method to the exact model and material. Gentle hand cleaning, full residue removal, and shaded air drying are the safest defaults for Reef sandals, cork styles, and sneakers.

Scuffs on a smooth Reef sole should not force a full wash. A compatible spot-cleaning tool can be more practical than soaking the whole shoe. Match any cleaner to the material and follow its directions.

Use SneakERASERS cleaning products for compatible touch-ups, then choose deeper care only when the shoe's directions allow it. For more help, explore our guides to cleaning white mesh shoes, removing scuff marks effectively, and cleaning shoe soles thoroughly.

REEF. Care Instructions.

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

BIRKENSTOCK. “Care Tips.” BIRKENSTOCK, https://www.birkenstock.com/ca/us-service-caretips.html. Accessed 23 Oct. 2026.

National Health Service. “Smelly Feet.” NHS, https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/smelly-feet/. Accessed 23 Oct. 2026.