Are you considering drying your Hey Dudes in the dryer or looking to downsize your shoes?
There are several important details to keep in mind, but here’s the quick answer.
Cotton or canvas Hey Dudes won’t shrink in the dryer, but other materials like leather, socks, suede, and wool are not suited for the dryer, and the force may damage the shoe.
Will Hey Dudes Shrink In the Dryer?
Let’s dive into how to intentionally shrink your Hey Dudes if you want to downsize while also discussing how to dry them to avoid shrinking.
It’s clear you either want to shrink them deliberately or are looking to prevent any unintended shrinking.
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I will break this article into two main topics.
- Different techniques to intentionally shrink Hey Dudes
- How to dry Hey Dudes to avoid shrinking
Other Techniques to Shrink Hey Dudes:
If you’re aiming to intentionally shrink your Hey Dudes, here are a few methods to consider. Keep in mind that once you successfully shrink them, they may not be able to stretch back, leading to fitting issues.
While this may sound speculative, I’ve experienced it firsthand. I love my Hey Dudes and often wear them all day, which can feel a bit awkward sometimes. Nevertheless, the footwear is incredibly comfortable, with padded insoles that reduce fatigue. However, extended wear does stretch them out, so I’ve experimented with a few techniques that might be useful for you.
Here are some DIY hacks to shrink your Hey Dudes for a better fit.
Method 1: Hair Dryer for Shrinking Hey Dudes
Hey Dudes are true-to-size shoes, and if you find that excessive wear or washing has caused them to expand, applying heat can help. A hair dryer is an excellent source of heat; when you blow hot air directly onto the shoe material, the fibers contract, and you’ll see your shoes shrink almost instantly.
Dampen the area you want to shrink, such as the toe section, hold the dryer at a distance, and apply heat while dampening the area.
Be cautious with the heat, as excessive heat can damage the shoes, so proceed at your own risk. Too much heat might even melt the shoe material, rendering it unusable.
Method 2: Machine Wash for Shrinking Hey Dudes
A practical method for shrinking Hey Dudes is to wash them in a machine with some salt and chlorine, but this is only effective for specific materials like socks, suede, and canvas. Avoid putting wool or leather Hey Dudes in the washer, as they are too delicate.
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Leather and wool are sensitive to water, so consider other techniques for those types.
Method 3: Dryer for Shrinking Hey Dudes
You can place your shoes in a dryer along with some towels to protect them from damage. Let them run for about 20 minutes; this technique effectively tightens the fit. However, avoid using the dryer for leather or suede, as it may ruin those materials.
How to Shrink Different Hey Dude Materials?
To shrink leather, you can use a hair dryer or other heat sources (sunlight, microwave, fireplace, or heater) to dampen the area you wish to shrink and apply heat. However, leather dries quickly, and there’s a risk of cracks forming in certain areas that might not improve even with conditioner or polish.
For canvas shoes, you can either use a hair dryer or put them in the dryer with towels for about 20 minutes. This is an effective method for tightening them.
You could also place the shoes on a stove at low heat to warm the fibers, causing them to shrink, but be careful not to overheat, as it could melt the material.
How to Prevent Hey Dudes From Shrinking?
Now, let’s explore how to prevent your shoes from shrinking. Your Hey Dudes may get stained with mud, grease, grass, tar, blood, or ink. If it rains while you’re out, they can get wet, so you should dry them in a way that prevents expansion or stretching. Oversized shoes will not fit properly.
If you’re hesitant to wash your shoes or wear them outside, consider using Scotchgard to make them waterproof.
Washing Tips to Prevent Shoes from Shrinking
Washing Tips for Leather Hey Dudes:
Leather does not respond well to water; it dries out and develops cracks. Keeping leather moisturized with conditioner or polish is essential. For cleaning, use a soft cloth to wipe away stains, avoiding water washing, which helps prevent shrinkage. If you wear them outside, Scotchgard can waterproof them, ensuring water won’t harm them.
Washing Tips for Canvas Hey Dudes:
Canvas is highly stretchable and breathable but is only water-resistant, not waterproof. The Hey Dude brand does not use hydrophobic layers like Gore-Tex or PVC for waterproofing. You can use waterproof sprays available in stores for added protection.
If moisture causes odor or mud stains, you may need to wash them. Try removing mud with a toothpick or knife before placing them in the washer.
Use cold water and regular detergent, and set the washer on a low cycle to prevent twisting and scuffing.
Washing Tips for Suede Hey Dudes:
Suede is also stretchable, but washing can lead to shrinkage, so consider spray washing. If you need to disinfect or deodorize, you don’t need to submerge the shoe.
You can cover the shoe with baking soda, insert dryer sheets, or use vinegar, which will absorb odors and refresh your boots.
Avoid bleach, as it can damage your Hey Dudes. Another useful technique is freezing the shoe, which can cause shrinkage, so it’s best to avoid this method.
Washing Tips for Wool Hey Dudes:
Wool is delicate and should not be exposed to water, as it can shrink or stretch. Use spray wash or nail polish remover for stubborn stains, ensuring you don’t soak the shoe completely to avoid drying issues.
Drying Tips to Prevent the Shoe from Shrinking:
Drying Hey Dudes can be tricky; you may need to stuff newspaper or dry cloth inside to absorb excess water while maintaining the shoe’s shape. However, overstuffing can lead to stretching. If your shoes shrink during washing, you can try stuffing them or using a shoe stretcher to regain size unless heat was used previously.
How to Tighten Hey Dudes?
If your shoes have become slightly loose, try wearing double socks, adding extra insoles, or tightening the laces for a better fit.
Sometimes, shrinking to reduce shoe size might not be the best approach, so consider these techniques instead.
Tightening may have drawbacks, so it’s crucial to choose the correct shoe size. You can opt for half or full sizes based on your preference for snug, slender, or loose fits, which can also depend on whether your feet are narrow or wide.
Some Hey Dudes, like canvas and socks, are very stretchable due to their elasticated fabric, allowing them to adapt to your foot shape. You can stretch your shoes using a stretcher or by inserting something inside, but tightening or shrinking them is a different matter.
Instead of experimenting with tightening hacks, consider adjusting the laces. However, many people prefer not to tie their laces daily. The most convenient method is to tie a bow or weave the lace in and out of the eyelets to tighten the shoe.
How to Handle Laces of Hey Dudes?
You can wear Hey Dudes with tied laces, but this is only practical for stretchable varieties. For non-stretchable materials like leather or wool, pay attention to how you tie the laces to ensure proper arch support and comfort, especially if you have diabetes.
Many complaints have been raised about Hey Dude laces; extra length can look messy and increase the risk of tripping or stumbling. Properly adjusted length minimizes the risk of stepping on laces, while excessive length can accumulate dirt and complicate tightening.
If you have wide feet, longer laces can help you adjust for comfort, while narrower feet may require techniques like trimming, cutting, or lacing methods, or even replacing the laces altogether.
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Removing Laces:
Always remove the shoelaces before shortening or cleaning. Untie them, remove knot covers, untie knots, and lift the laces from the holes.
Shortening Laces:
Let’s go over how to shorten shoelaces without cutting them.
Cutting shoelaces is the quickest way to reduce their length, but you will lose the plastic caps (aglets) that prevent fraying. Without these caps, laces can unravel, becoming more troublesome.
To seal lace ends, use heat, but keep the flame at a distance to avoid burning. Alternatively, you can wrap the ends in tape or glue before heating to secure the ends, making them look seamless.
You can also employ techniques like double lacing, diamond lacing, lattice lacing, or tucking excess lace under the tongue or inside the shoe. Many knot types can help reduce lace length without cutting.
Knots can be beneficial if you might need extra length later. However, for some, like runners or climbers, laces need to remain secure without frequent adjustments. Improperly tied laces can lead to ankle or toe injuries.
Most shoelaces are made from materials like leather, cotton, hemp, and synthetics like nylon or polyester. Thus, not all shoelaces require cutting to tighten.
What Are Hey Dudes Shoes Made Of?
Many Hey Dudes shoes feature materials such as canvas, cotton, leather, or wool, and they come with different types of soles. Most use lightweight materials like Flex & Fold technology or Memory Foam soles for comfort.
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Different Materials of Hey Dudes
- Leather: Durable, adds class, and provides warmth.
- Canvas: Lightweight, breathable, and stretchable.
- Wool: Comfortable and lightweight.
- Synthetic materials: Soft and light.
Some types come with Memory Foam for maximum comfort and ease of wear.
Hey Dudes Washing Instructions
Hey Dudes can be machine washed using cold water and detergent on a low cycle. For canvas shoes, hang them out to dry away from direct sunlight, and do not put them in the dryer to avoid shrinkage.
Final Words :
Hey Dudes can shrink in the dryer, so the best approach to prevent shrinking is to wash them with a gentle method while using towels or letting them air dry.
If you’re looking to shrink them, consider the techniques mentioned above, but keep in mind that maintaining shoe size is crucial for comfort.
Using these methods can help maintain your Hey Dudes in their best condition, allowing for comfort and functionality.
