How to Clean OluKai Sandals by Material

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Identify leather, water-friendly, or fabric construction

Find the product name inside the sandal or in the order record and check its OluKai description. Smooth leather, nubuck or suede, synthetic straps, woven fabric, and mixed-material styles have different moisture limits. When materials are mixed, follow the strictest rule and keep cleaner confined to the surface for which it is intended.

Step 2: Remove dry sand and grit

Let mud dry, then tap the sandals sole to sole outdoors. Brush the upper, footbed grooves, welt, and outsole with a dry soft brush. Grit becomes abrasive when rubbed into damp leather or fabric, so remove it before adding any moisture. Use a dry cloth around logos and decorative stitching.

Step 3: Test the chosen product

Test a small hidden area and let it dry before treating the whole sandal. Leather can darken, fabric can spread dye, and some footbeds can show rings. Never apply bleach, harsh solvent, or an all-purpose spray simply because the outsole is rubber. Do not put OluKai sandals in a washer or dryer unless the exact product instructions explicitly allow it.

Step 4: Hand-wash a water-friendly synthetic model

For a model OluKai identifies as water-friendly, mix a small amount of mild detergent with cold water. Use a soft brush or cloth to clean straps, the footbed, sidewalls, and outsole. Work gently in footbed texture rather than flooding the sandal. Rinse or wipe away all soap according to the model guidance; residue attracts dirt and can feel slippery.

Step 5: Clean smooth leather with controlled moisture

Wipe smooth leather with a barely damp cloth, then use a compatible leather cleaner sparingly if needed. Apply cleaner to the cloth, not directly in a puddle on the sandal. Keep water out of layered edges and adhesive seams. Follow with the approved conditioner only after the leather is clean and dry enough for that product.

Step 6: Treat nubuck or suede as a separate surface

Use a dry suede or nubuck brush and material-specific cleaner only if OluKai's exact care instructions allow it. Do not use smooth-leather conditioner on a napped finish; it can darken and flatten the texture. Brush in a consistent direction after drying. Deep oil stains may require professional shoe care rather than repeated wet treatment.

Step 7: Keep restricted fabric styles from soaking

Some OluKai fabric guidance directs owners not to wet the fabric. For those models, brush dry soil away and use a tightly controlled cloth only where the official instruction permits. Do not saturate woven straps to chase a water mark. Clean exposed synthetic outsole separately so runoff does not migrate into the fabric.

Step 8: Address footbed odor without perfume buildup

Clean only within the footbed material's limits and remove all detergent. Repeated fragrance spray can combine with body oil rather than remove it. Allow sandals to dry between wears and avoid storing them in a sealed gym bag. If odor persists in leather or mixed-material footbeds, ask OluKai which product is compatible before soaking.

Step 9: Reshape and air-dry slowly

Blot water with a clean towel and loosely stuff leather straps if they need support. Set sandals in moving air at room temperature, away from direct sun, a heater, dryer, or hot car. Do not bend wet leather or place a weight on straps. Confirm the area between the footbed and straps is fully dry.

Step 10: Finish and inspect

Brush napped materials, buff smooth leather lightly, and remove any dried soap film from synthetic tread. Check separated edges, cracked straps, and a worn slippery outsole before wearing. Cleaning cannot repair structural damage. Record the exact method that worked so a leather-care product is never accidentally used on a water-friendly or woven pair.