Learning how to clean waterproof sandals takes about two minutes, because the whole point of waterproof footwear is that water is the cleaning product: rinse, wipe, air-dry, done. The catch is that only shoes actually built for full submersion — molded, strap-flat, one-material designs — can be cleaned this aggressively without falling apart.
This guide covers the three cleaning methods that work, which shoes can handle each one, and why Okabashi — an American maker of waterproof comfort shoes — designs its sandals and flats to survive treatment that would destroy a fabric sneaker.
Why waterproof sandals get grimy in the first place
Flip-flops and slides live the hardest life in your closet: beach sand, pool chlorine, boardwalk grime, bare feet in summer heat. On absorbent materials that mix becomes odor and staining. On a fully waterproof shoe, it all sits on the surface — which is exactly why cleaning them is so easy.
Construction matters here. Okabashi's designs use straps that lie flat against your feet to prevent chafing, with a soft matte finish and a contoured footbed with arch support, a heel cup, and massage beads. No fabric lining, no glued layers of foam, no stitching channels for gunk to hide in — the shoe is the material.
Method 1: The 60-second rinse (every wear)
For routine sand and dust, you barely need instructions:
- Hold the shoes under a faucet, hose, or outdoor shower.
- Rub the footbed with your thumb where the massage beads sit — that's where sand collects.
- Shake off and air-dry in the shade. Waterproof material doesn't absorb anything, so drying takes minutes, not days.
This is the everyday reset, and for shoes described as water-friendly and easy to clean — like Okabashi's Theresa flip-flop, which the brand pitches as easy to clean and comfortable — it's usually all you need.
Method 2: Soap and a soft brush (weekly in summer)
When a rinse isn't enough — sunscreen film, footprint marks on the footbed — step up to dish soap:
- Fill a basin with warm water and a squeeze of mild dish soap.
- Soak the shoes for a few minutes. Fully waterproof shoes can be submerged without worry.
- Scrub the footbed and straps with a soft brush or old toothbrush, working around charms or adornments gently.
- Rinse thoroughly and air-dry away from direct sun.
On decorated pairs — Okabashi's Oka-B line includes styles with metal sea-turtle charms, crystal-covered starfish, and buckles — do the scrubbing around the hardware rather than over it, and let the rinse do the rest.
Method 3: The dishwasher and washing machine (yes, really)
Here's the one that surprises people: some molded shoes are rated for actual machines. Okabashi says its Mary Jane ballet flats are dishwasher — yes, dishwasher — or washing machine safe, on top of being completely waterproof and ready for rain anytime.
A few common-sense rules if you go the machine route:
- Only machine-wash shoes the maker explicitly rates for it. "Waterproof" alone doesn't mean heat-and-agitation-proof.
- Top rack, no heated dry in the dishwasher; skip the dryer entirely and air-dry instead.
- Wash shoes with shoes, not with your dinner plates or delicates.
For shoes that see daily wear — school runs, garden work, dog walks — this is a genuine hygiene upgrade over spot-cleaning. It's part of why we included washable pairs in our guide to the most comfortable washable flip-flops and slip-ons.
What makes a shoe survive this treatment
Not all rubbery-looking sandals are equal, and the difference shows up after ten wash cycles. Okabashi's material story is unusually specific: the shoes are 100% recyclable (plastic symbol #3) and made from a blend of used shoes, scrap material, and the brand's own proprietary bio-based material, which contains 45% soy by weight and is BPA, latex, rubber, and phthalate-free.
Two other details from the brand are worth knowing. First, everything is made in the USA — the company's Instagram bio leads with "Proudly 100% Made in the USA with USA Materials," and the Mary Jane is handmade in Buford, Georgia. Second, the shoes are designed as comfort footwear, not just pool gear: reflexology-inspired designs with premium arch support and a heel cup for stability, which the brand backs with 5,000+ 5-star reviews. Our full Okabashi Shoes review digs into the comfort side in detail.
When a pair is finally worn out, Okabashi's product pages invite you to send your well-loved shoes back — the recyclable material loops back into new production. You can browse the current waterproof lineup at Okabashi.
Cleaning by style: quick reference
- Flip-flops (Millie, Theresa, Livie): rinse after beach days; soap-soak weekly. Straps that lie flat against the foot leave no crevices to scrub.
- Slides (Ruby, Monty): same as flip-flops; the open design means the footbed gets everything, so focus the brush there. The Ruby is pitched as a spa shoe for good reason — it cleans up like one.
- T-strap sandals (Morgan, Neptune, Marnie): rinse around buckles and charms; dry buckle-open.
- Ballet flats (Mary Jane, Taylor): rinse for quick resets; dishwasher or washing machine when rated, as the Mary Jane is.
- Wedges (Kylie, Alexa, Dylan): soap and brush; the solid 2.5-inch wedge is one molded piece, so there's nothing to delaminate.
Choosing between these styles in the first place? Our guide to the best Okabashi flip-flops, sandals, and flats matches each silhouette to the occasion.
What to avoid: the three ways people ruin washable shoes
Molded waterproof shoes are nearly indestructible in normal use, but three habits will still shorten their life:
- Harsh solvents. Acetone, bleach, and aggressive degreasers can dull a matte finish and attack decorative charms. Dish soap handles everything a sandal actually encounters — sunscreen, salt, sand, chlorine — without collateral damage.
- High heat. Radiators, dashboards in summer, and clothes dryers are the enemy of any molded shoe. Heat is what warps footbeds, and a warped footbed defeats the whole reason you bought a contoured shoe — Okabashi's designs stake their comfort on that arch support and heel cup geometry staying true.
- Abrasive scrubbing. Steel wool and stiff wire brushes scratch a matte surface permanently. The texture that comes off never comes back; a soft brush and patience do the same job invisibly.
The reward for treating them right is a long service life with almost zero maintenance cost — no polish, no waterproofing sprays, no cobbler. And because the massage-bead footbed is molded in rather than glued on, there is no insole to peel loose after repeated soakings, which is the failure mode that kills most cheap sandals long before the straps go.
Waterproof shoe care FAQ
How do I get odor out of flip-flops?
On waterproof, non-absorbent material, odor is surface bacteria — the soap-soak method removes it completely. This is a structural advantage of molded shoes: there's no fabric or foam for smell to soak into. A machine cycle on rated pairs like the Mary Jane is the nuclear option.
Can I leave waterproof sandals in the sun to dry?
Shade-dry instead. They dry fast anyway, and skipping direct sun and heat is the gentlest routine for any molded shoe you want to keep for years.
Are recycled-material shoes less durable?
Not in this case — durability comes from the design, not the feedstock. Okabashi's blend of used shoes, scrap, and soy-based material produces a flexible shoe designed for all-day comfort that also happens to be fully recyclable at end of life. If sustainability drives the purchase, pairs like these let you have the easy-clean lifestyle without the landfill guilt — see the range at Okabashi.