Washing Bedroom Slippers: Is It Possible?

can I wash bedroom slippers

Slippers can be a haven for bacteria, dirt, and dead skin, so keeping them clean is important. The best method for washing bedroom slippers depends on their material composition. Cotton, terry cloth, and polyester fabric slippers can be washed in the machine or by hand. Suede slippers should not be washed in the machine or submerged in water. Leather slippers should be hand-washed with leather-safe soap. For slippers with faux fur lining, a mixture of water and laundry detergent can be applied with a damp cloth.

Characteristics Values
Wash in washing machine Yes, but use a gentle cycle, cold water, and a mild detergent. Air-dry completely before wearing them.
Hand wash Use warm, soapy water and a gentle cloth to scrub the inside lining. Rinse the slippers and remove excess water by pressing down on them. Air-dry or use a blow dryer on a warm setting.
Materials Cotton, suede, leather, wool, synthetic fabric, polyester, faux fur, fleece, sheepskin, rubber
Stains Pretreat with a stain removal product or laundry detergent. For grease stains, sprinkle with baking soda and leave for a couple of hours.
Odour Sprinkle baking soda inside the slippers and vacuum it up after a few hours. Alternatively, stuff the insides with balled-up newspaper.

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Washing cotton slippers

Cotton is one of the most common slipper materials and, just like cotton clothing, cotton slippers are washing machine safe. To wash your cotton slippers, follow these steps:

Machine Washing

  • Use warm (not hot) water to make sure your slippers don't shrink.
  • Use a gentle cycle that won't bang them out of shape.
  • If you want to toss them in with the regular wash, use a washing machine bag like you'd use for a sweater.
  • Use a low heat setting to dry. You can also let them air dry.

Hand Washing

  • Fill your sink with warm, soapy water.
  • Drop the slippers in and agitate them. Use your fingers or a gentle cloth to scrub the inside lining to penetrate the grime.
  • Let them sit for about ten minutes.
  • Rinse the slippers. Squish them as you rinse, like you would to get excess soap out of a sponge or luffa.
  • Remove the excess water by pressing down on them at several points. Don't wring them, as this can misshape them.
  • Let them air dry. You can also use a warm setting on a blowdryer to dry them out.

Removing Odours

To remove odours from your slippers, sprinkle the inside with baking soda and let it sit for several hours. Use the handheld extension of a vacuum to clean it up afterwards.

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Washing suede slippers

Suede is a soft and velvety type of leather, making it a popular material for slippers. However, its delicate nature means that cleaning suede slippers can be challenging, and incorrect cleaning methods can irreversibly damage them. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to wash your suede slippers without compromising their quality.

Firstly, it is important to never machine wash or hand wash suede slippers by submerging them in water. This will cause the suede to dry out, becoming stiff, uncomfortable, and prone to cracking. Instead, use a clean, dry towel to blot and wipe away any spills on the suede. If the suede is waterproof, a damp towel can be used.

For more stubborn stains, a suede cleaning kit can be used. These kits typically include a stain eraser and a small, stiff suede brush. Alternatively, a suede brush, nail file, or soft-textured sandpaper can be used to remove mud or scuff marks and restore the nap texture. For grease or oil stains, apply cornstarch to the affected areas and leave it overnight before brushing it out the next day. If the cornstarch does not remove the stain, use a cotton ball to apply a small amount of white vinegar, let it dry, and then brush the nap.

To clean the interior of suede slippers, use baby wipes to scrub the inside without wetting the suede. Baby wipes are low in moisture and contain a mild detergent. Alternatively, a mildly damp washcloth with a mild soap, such as wool detergent or baby shampoo, can be used. After cleaning, use a clean, damp washcloth to wipe out any leftover detergent. Allow the slippers to air dry completely before wearing them again. To speed up the drying process, stuff the insides with balled-up newspaper to absorb moisture.

To protect your suede slippers from stains and premature wear, use a suede protector spray. Ensure the suede is dry and clean before spraying, and test the spray on a small patch to check for any colour changes. If the colour remains unchanged, spray all suede-covered areas evenly, being careful not to oversaturate. Let the slippers air dry in a well-ventilated area.

Always check for any care instructions provided by the manufacturer before attempting to clean your suede slippers. By following these tips, you can effectively wash your suede slippers and maintain their quality and comfort.

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Washing leather slippers

Leather slippers should not be machine-washed, but they can be hand-cleaned with a leather-safe soap. This includes non-enzyme liquid soaps designed for leather products. You can use the same leather shoe cleaner you would use on other leather shoes to remove dirt and scuffs. After cleaning them with a leather cleaner, let them sit for approximately five minutes. Then shine the slippers with a clean, soft, cotton cloth.

To keep leather slippers soft and moisturized, apply a leather shoe conditioner after cleaning. The leather will absorb a natural conditioner more easily than a synthetic one. Apply the conditioner as directed to help them age better.

If the insides of the slippers are fleece-lined, use the same process as with fleece-lined suede slippers. Namely, baby wipes, which are low in moisture and contain a mild detergent. Use a couple of baby wipes to scrub out the inside of each slipper until the wipe is no longer discolouring from the grime.

You can alternatively use a mildly damp washcloth with just one or two drops of wool detergent or baby shampoo to scrub out the insides of the slippers. This method requires using a second damp washcloth to remove any excess soap afterward.

You don’t want to apply heat to leather slippers. You will need to give them time to air dry. As with suede slippers, you can use a wad of newspaper inside the slipper to help draw the excess moisture out of the lining, which will hasten the drying process a bit.

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Machine vs hand washing

Machine Washing Slippers

In some cases, you can wash cloth slippers in a washing machine using a warm regular cycle. If you are machine-washing fabric slippers, add them to a load of similar colours and fabrics. A load of towels usually works well. Wash in warm water with your regular detergent on a regular cycle.

You can also machine wash cotton slippers. Cotton is one of the most common slipper materials and, just like cotton clothing, all cotton slippers will be washing machine safe. Use warm (not hot) water to make sure you don't shrink the slippers. Use a gentle cycle that won't bang them out of shape. If you want to put them in with the regular wash, use a washing machine bag like you'd use for a sweater.

Hand Washing Slippers

Fabric slippers can also be hand-washed in a sink in warm water with about one teaspoon of heavy-duty detergent. Add the slippers to the soapy water and allow them to soak for at least 30 minutes to lift the soil. Gently squeeze the solution through the slippers and then drain away the soapy water. Fill the sink with fresh water and rinse the slippers until no more soap bubbles appear. Gently press out the excess water. Roll the slippers in a thick towel to help absorb the water.

If you don't want to risk machine washing your slippers, you can hand wash cotton slippers. Use a stopper and fill your sink with warm, soapy water. A small dose of a mild laundry detergent will do. Drop the slippers in and agitate them. You want to make sure that the soapy water saturates the material. Use your fingers or a gentle cloth to scrub the inside lining to penetrate the grime. Let them sit. The soap solution won’t hurt the cotton. Give the slippers a good ten minutes to soak after you give them the mild scrub. Then rinse the slippers. After they have soaked, let the water out of the sink. Turn the faucet to about the same warm setting and give the slippers a thorough rinse. Squish the slippers as you rinse, like you would to get excess soap out of a sponge or loofah.

Suede slippers cannot be machine washed or hand washed by submerging them. If you spill something on the suede, use a clean towel to blot and wipe at the spill. If the suede is waterproof, then you can use a damp towel to wipe at the spill. If not, stick to a dry towel.

Leather slippers should not be machine washed, but they can be hand-cleaned. Wipe leather slippers down with a slightly damp cloth or baby wipes (wring them out to remove excess moisture) to remove loose soil.

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Drying washable fabric slippers

Whether you machine wash or hand wash your fabric slippers, they should always be air-dried. Here are some ways to dry washable fabric slippers:

Reshape and Air-Dry

If you want to reshape your slippers, stuff them lightly with paper towels or white tissue paper. Do not use newspaper as it can leave ink stains on your slippers. Change the paper towels frequently as they absorb moisture.

Avoid the Clothes Dryer

Never place slippers in an automatic dryer as the high heat can cause the soles to become distorted and can dissolve the glue, causing the sole to separate from the slipper.

Use a Blow Dryer

You can also use a blow dryer on a low setting to dry the interior of your slippers. Use your fingers to work the fur to make it fluffy again.

Frequently asked questions

It depends on the material of your slippers. Cloth fabric, cotton, and knitted wool slippers can be washed in the machine on a gentle cycle with cold or warm water. However, suede, leather, and wool slippers should not be machine-washed.

You can spot clean non-machine-washable slippers by using a damp cloth to rub stains in a gentle, circular motion. For greasy stains, sprinkle baking soda on the stain and let it sit for a couple of hours before brushing it off.

It is best to air-dry your slippers after washing them. Do not put them in an automatic dryer as the high heat can cause the soles to become distorted and can dissolve the glue, causing the sole to separate from the slipper.

Written by
  • Lara Beck
  • Lara Beck
    Author Home Renovation Professional
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