How to Clean Chaco Sandals and Floss the Straps
Classic non-leather Chaco Z sandals use continuous adjustable webbing that passes through channels in the footbed. Chaco permits a cold gentle laundry cycle with mild detergent or baking soda for many classic sandals, but prohibits bleach, corrosive cleaners, dishwashers, and dryers. A second procedure—strap flossing—works trapped grit from the internal webbing channels when straps become difficult to adjust. This guide does not cover leather Chacos, which should be cleaned by hand with a damp cloth and a leather cleaner or conditioner.
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Primary reference: Chaco: official sandal care, cleaning, and strap-flossing guide. Always check the manual for your exact model.
Quick reference
- Scope
- Classic non-leather Chacos; check the exact model before machine washing.
- Wash
- Cold gentle cycle with mild detergent or baking soda, or controlled hand washing.
- Floss
- Move wet straps through slots with a few drops of fabric softener, then rinse.
- Avoid
- Bleach, corrosive cleaner, dishwasher, tumble dryer, and machine-washing leather.
- Dry
- Loosen straps and air-dry completely in shade.
What you will need
- The exact Chaco model's material and care instructions
- A soft dry brush
- Mild laundry detergent or baking soda
- A washing machine with a cold gentle cycle, if permitted
- Optional mesh laundry bag
- Warm water for strap flossing
- A few drops of liquid fabric softener for stiff strap channels
- A soft toothbrush for tread
- Clean rinse water
- A shaded air-drying area
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1: Exclude leather and specialty models
Read the product materials. Chaco's machine-wash method is for many classic non-leather sandals with webbing and synthetic footbeds. Leather sandals should be hand-cleaned with a damp cloth and material-compatible leather product. Do not machine-wash a model with leather, delicate trim, or care instructions that say otherwise.
Step 2: Remove stones and surface mud
Let heavy mud dry enough to brush off, then remove pebbles from the outsole. Clear lint from buckles and strap openings. Do not force the adjustable webbing while dry grit is trapped inside the midsole channel; abrasion there can make adjustment harder and wear the strap.
Step 3: Choose machine or hand cleaning
For an eligible classic sandal, Chaco says it may be washed with a laundry load on a gentle cycle using cold water and mild detergent or baking soda. Use a mesh bag if it prevents buckles from striking the drum. A basin and soft brush can be used for a more controlled hand wash. Never use bleach or corrosive chemical cleaner.
Step 4: Wash the footbed, straps, and tread
Before or instead of the cycle, use a soft toothbrush with mild solution on footbed texture and rubber tread. Work around strap entry points without jamming dirt farther into them. Do not use a dishwasher: Chaco warns that high heat can damage the outsole, footbed, and webbing.
Step 5: Floss straps that no longer slide
If adjustment is stiff, wet the straps thoroughly. Chaco's flossing method calls for a few drops of liquid fabric softener in each strap slot, followed by repeatedly pulling the webbing back and forth through the footbed. The moving strap carries sand and grit out of the internal channels. Do not pour a large amount into the sandal.
Step 6: Rinse the strap channels completely
Flush clean water through every slot while continuing to move the strap. This is essential when fabric softener was used; residue should not remain against skin or attract new soil. Continue until runoff is clear and the webbing moves more freely. If it still binds, contact Chaco rather than yanking hard enough to damage the strap.
Step 7: Rinse after the wash cycle
Inspect the footbed and webbing for detergent or powder. Rinse by hand if any residue remains, especially around strap anchors and buckle folds. Baking soda is an allowed cleaning option in Chaco's guide, but visible grit should not be left to dry in the textured footbed.
Step 8: Air-dry without heat
Set the sandals in shade with the straps loosened and the buckle open. Chaco says to air-dry and never place sandals in a dryer. Do not use a radiator, campfire, dashboard, or direct high heat; it can affect sole compounds and webbing. Move the straps once while drying so hidden sections receive airflow.
Step 9: Refit and check the sandal
When fully dry, adjust the continuous strap system evenly for your foot. Inspect webbing at each entry point, buckle function, tread, and sole bonding. Chaco's ReChaco service can address qualifying strap, buckle, or outsole repairs; cleaning cannot reverse frayed webbing or structural separation.
Specific cleaning questions
Open a question for a concise answer about stains, odors, safety, frequency, and troubleshooting.