# How to Wash Slippers in the Machine Without Damage

> Can slippers go in the washing machine? Felt and faux fur yes (30 °C, laundry bag), leather no. Method by material + drying without warping.

**Published :** 2026-03-23 · **Updated :** 2026-05-18

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**Résumé :** **In short:** only slippers made from
**synthetic materials** (fleece, faux fur) and
**industrial felt** are machine washable -- at
**30 °C**, delicate cycle, in a **mesh laundry bag**
. **Leather**, **suede** and
**artisan felt** slippers should be surface cleaned only. Air dry
with newspaper stuffing -- never tumble dry. Deodorise between washes with
**baking soda**.

## At a Glance

- **Check the material** -- synthetic and industrial felt = machine OK. Leather and suede = surface clean only.
- **30 °C, delicate cycle** -- anything higher risks warping the sole and shrinking felt.
- **Mesh laundry bag essential** -- protects the shape and prevents banging inside the drum.
- **No tumble dryer** -- the heat warps soles and unglues bonded parts.
- **Baking soda between washes** -- sprinkle overnight to absorb perspiration odours.

## Which Slippers Are Machine Washable -- and Which Are Not

Before putting your slippers in the drum, identify the material. This information is usually on a small label inside the slipper, or on the original packaging. If there is no label, go by touch and appearance.

| Material | Machine? | Max temperature | Key precaution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fleece / polyester | Yes | 30 °C | Laundry bag, no softener |
| Faux fur | Yes | 30 °C | Brush after drying to refluff |
| Industrial felt (Giesswein, Haflinger) | Yes (wool programme) | 30 °C | Shrinkage risk if too hot |
| Artisan felt (boiled wool) | No (hand wash) | 20-30 °C | Warps and shrinks easily |
| Leather / suede | No | \-- | Hardens, cracks, loses suppleness |
| Glued leather sole | No | \-- | Glue dissolves in water |
| Silicone / TPR sole | Yes | 30 °C | Water- and cold-resistant |

> If the label is missing and you cannot identify the material, test a small
> hidden area: dampen a corner with cold water and rub gently. If the colour
> bleeds, the felt starts to distort or the sole softens, do not machine wash.
> Surface clean only.

## The Machine Wash Protocol

Marseille soap — once the material is confirmed, machine washing is straightforward -- as long as you follow a few precautions.

### Preparation

1. **Remove the insoles** -- wash them separately in the same bag or by hand with [Marseille soap](https://amzn.to/48721mK).
2. **Brush the outer sole** -- remove dust, hair and small debris with a soft-bristle brush. Dirt lodged in the sole grooves ends up in the machine filter.
3. **Pre-treat stains** -- if the slippers have visible stains, rub damp [Marseille soap](https://amzn.to/48721mK) on the area and leave for 10 minutes.

### Machine Settings

- **Programme**: delicate or wool -- short cycle, gentle agitation
- **Temperature**: 30 °C max
- **Spin**: 400-600 rpm (the minimum available). High spin distorts the slippers.
- **Detergent**: liquid, half the normal dose. Slippers do not have the bulk of laundry needed to absorb a full dose -- excess leaves residue.
- **Softener**: none. Softener deposits a greasy film on fibres that attracts dust and reduces loft.

### Balance the Drum

Do not wash slippers alone in a large machine: the drum will be unbalanced during spin. Add a few towels or cloths to even out the load. This also improves tumbling and therefore cleaning.

## Material by Material: The Detailed Guide

- 🧸 **Fleece / faux fur slippers** — The easiest to wash. 30 °C, laundry bag, liquid detergent. After washing, shake vigorously to restore loft. If the fur stays flat after drying, brush gently with a clothes brush in the direction of the pile.
- 🫧 **Felt slippers (industrial)** — **Wool programme** at 30 °C, wool or mild liquid detergent. Felt is wool compacted by friction and heat -- too hot or too vigorous a wash continues this process and shrinks the slipper. Dry flat, always.
- 👟 **Slippers with silicone sole** — Silicone withstands 30 °C washing perfectly. The non-slip pads will not come off. Just check that the upper is also machine washable.
- 🐑 **Artisan felt slippers (boiled wool)** — Hand wash only. Fill a basin with cold water (20 °C), add a drop of shampoo or wool detergent. Submerge, press gently without wringing. Rinse in cold water. Dry flat on a towel, reshaping by hand.
- 🤎 **Leather / suede slippers** — Never machine wash, never submerge in water. Wipe leather with a damp cloth + Marseille soap. For suede, dry brush with a dedicated suede brush. Treat insoles with baking soda overnight for odours.

## Drying: The Critical Phase

Drying is where most damage happens. Incorrect drying warps, shrinks or unglues slippers.

### What NOT to Do

> **Warning:**
> - **Tumble dryer** -- the heat warps rubber and silicone soles, shrinks felt and can unglue thermally bonded parts.
> - **Radiator / direct sunlight** -- concentrated heat cracks leather, yellows white textiles and warps soles.
> - **Drying upright** -- the weight of the water pulls the slipper downward. Always dry flat or horizontally.

### The Right Method

1. **Hand press** -- after removing from the machine, press the slippers gently (without wringing) to remove excess water. Place each slipper between two dry towels and press firmly: the towel absorbs residual water by capillary action, cutting drying time by several hours.
2. **Stuff with newspaper** -- crumple newspaper and fill the inside of each slipper. The paper absorbs moisture and holds the shape. Change the paper after 4-6 hours when it is saturated. Kitchen paper works too, but saturates faster -- plan on 2-3 changes.
3. **Lay flat on a rack** -- a drying rack or raised dish rack is ideal because air circulates under the slipper too. If placed flat on a towel, flip at the halfway point to even out evaporation.
4. **Speed up with a fan** -- if the ambient air is humid (bathroom, rainy weather), point a fan at the slippers on low speed. Air movement cuts drying time by 30-50% without heat, preserving sensitive materials. This is the technique cobblers use to dry leather shoes.
5. **Allow 24-48 hours** -- depending on thickness and humidity. Felt and faux fur dry more slowly than fleece.

## Deodorising Between Washes

baking soda — monthly washing is not always enough to keep slippers fresh. Daily foot perspiration (roughly 200 mL per day across both feet) creates a warm, damp environment ideal for the bacteria that cause odours.

### Baking Soda: The Simple Solution

Baking soda is the best deodoriser for slippers between washes:

1. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of baking soda inside each slipper
2. Leave overnight (8-12 hours)
3. Shake out the powder the next morning

Baking soda absorbs the volatile fatty acids (isovaleric acid, propanoic acid) produced by sweat bacteria. A weekly application keeps slippers fresh between monthly washes.

### Natural Alternatives

- **Dry tea bag** -- place a used, dried black tea bag inside each slipper. The tannins absorb odours.
- **Dried lavender** -- a lavender sachet in each slipper masks odour and repels moths.
- **Freezer** -- place the slippers in a Ziploc bag in the freezer for 24 hours. The cold kills some odour-causing bacteria. Useful in a pinch.

## Recommended Washing Frequency

How often to wash depends on your usage:

| Usage | Wash frequency | Deodorising between washes |
|---|---|---|
| Daily with socks | Once a month | Baking soda 1x/week |
| Daily barefoot | Every 2 weeks | Baking soda 2x/week |
| Occasional (weekends) | Every 2-3 months | Baking soda if needed |
| Guest slippers | After every use | \-- |

## When to Replace Your Slippers

Even with good care, slippers have a limited lifespan. Here are the signs it is time for a new pair:

- **Flattened sole** -- the inner padding no longer springs back after washing. Arch support is gone.
- **Persistent odour despite washing** -- bacteria have colonised the fibres deep down and washing no longer removes them.
- **Worn outer sole** -- the non-slip pads are smooth and the slipper slides on tiles. This is a fall risk.
- **Visible deformation** -- the slipper has lost its original shape, the heel is crushed.

With daily use, expect 6-12 months for synthetic slippers, 1-2 years for quality felt (Giesswein) and 2-3 years for well-maintained leather.

## Common Mistakes That Ruin Slippers

> **Warning:**
> - **Washing in hot water (40 °C+)** -- the heat warps rubber soles and shrinks felt. Stay at 30 °C max regardless of the material.
> - **High-speed spin** -- 1 000+ rpm spin crushes the shape and can unglue bonded soles. Limit to 400-600 rpm.
> - **Drying on a radiator** -- concentrated heat cracks leather, yellows textiles and warps silicone soles. Always air dry at room temperature.
> - **Using fabric softener** -- softener deposits a greasy film on faux fur that attracts dust and reduces loft. White vinegar (50 mL in the rinse) softens without residue.
> - **Washing slippers alone in a large machine** -- the drum will be unbalanced during spin. Always add towels or cloths to balance the load.

## Washing Slippers at the Laundromat

If you have several pairs to wash at once -- for example, the whole family's slippers at the end of the season -- the laundromat is a practical option. Professional machines offer advantages for slippers.

The delicate programme at 30 °C on commercial machines is calibrated for fragile textiles. The larger drum (9 kg minimum) lets you wash 4-5 pairs in one cycle, with towels to balance the load. Auto-dosing detergent avoids the over-dosing that is common at home and leaves sticky residue in faux fur.

After washing, the professional low-heat tumble dryer can be useful for fleece and faux fur slippers (never for felt or leather). The mechanical tumbling refluffs fur flattened by washing. Allow 10-15 minutes of gentle drying max -- slippers dry much faster than towels because they are small and light. Check the soles before drying: if they contain soft rubber, use the lowest temperature available.

For industrial felt slippers (Giesswein, Haflinger), skip the dryer even at the laundromat. Air dry with newspaper as described above -- felt is too heat-sensitive for mechanical drying.

**Fine mesh laundry bags (set of 5)**

Protects delicates, fine mesh items and small accessories during machine washing.

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## Sources and References

- Foot perspiration: approx. 200 mL/day -- role of bacteria (Brevibacterium) in foot odour
- Wool felt: felting process via friction and heat -- shrinkage threshold at 40 °C