Slipper Care Guide

Slippers feel most comfortable when they've been broken in, but there's a big difference between broken in and dirty. Knowing how to properly care for your slippers will help keep them both comfortable and clean, which means your favorite slippers will be hugging your feet for years to come.

Cleaning Slippers are generally made from four different materials: cotton, suede, leather, and sheepskin. Most cotton or sheepskin slippers can be gently hand washed if necessary. Suede and leather slippers will require more particular treatment. Here are a few tips on how to best treat each material: Cotton Cotton slippers are normally hand or machine washable, so dealing with dirt and stains should be simple. If you own animal slippers and want to keep them looking as fluffy and cuddly as you can, try treating them with an upholstery or stuffed animal cleaner. Another non-water wash you might consider is sprinkling your slippers with baking soda. Let it sit for fifteen minutes and then brush or vacuum it off.

Suede
If your suede slippers have been waterproofed, any spill should be treatable with a quick application of a damp towel. For more thorough treatment, purchase a suede cleaning kit. Such kits should contain a suede eraser and small stiff brush. Use the eraser on the stain and then apply the brush.

If your suede slippers have not been waterproofed and they get wet, remove the moisture with a clean towel. Do not use a blow dryer or heater. Once dry, restore the nap with a suede brush. A nail file or suede brush is effective in removing mud or scuff marks, as is the gentle application of softly textured sandpaper.

Leather
Leather slippers should only be cleaned or treated with products made specifically for leather shoes. A leather shoe cleaner can be used for removing dirt. After they're cleaned, let your leather slippers sit for a few minutes and then shine them with a soft cotton cloth.

If you want your leather slippers to age well, treat them regularly with a quality leather shoe conditioner. Your leather slippers will absorb a natural conditioner easier than a synthetic one, and this will help keep your leather slippers soft and properly moisturized.

Sheepskin
Clean the outer portion of your sheepskin slippers with a soft, damp cloth. A suede eraser can be used to treat scuff marks or dirt. You should also consider applying a water repellent and/or stain guard to the outer surface of your sheepskin slippers. If your sheepskin slippers need to be washed, do so by hand using lukewarm water and a non-enzyme liquid soap designed specifically for leather products. Let the slippers dry naturally after washing, though you can use a towel to soak up excess moisture.