When searching how to clean sheepskin slippers, you will find plenty of information on cleaning the suede outers, but it is harder to come by information on cleaning the inside of sheepskin slippers. This is partly because with good care they can stay in great condition for a good while, especially if you are in the habit of wearing socks inside your slippers. But our slippers are great quality and last a long time, so eventually even the most careful amongst you will notice the sheepskin packing down a little and getting grubby, especially if you wear them with bare feet.
The first thing to note is that sheepskin is a natural product – you want to avoid using strong cleaning agents, as the material needs careful treatment. If you find the wool is packed down but clean, you may want to follow the below instructions purely using warm water.
Which Shampoo should I use to clean sheepskin slippers?
If you do need to clean your sheepskin slippers, using a specialised sheepskin shampoo is recommended. We sell one that has built in conditioner, to keep the sheepskin soft and smooth. If you are going to use a soap or cleaning solution not specifically for sheepskin, get the very simplest and gentlest you can find. Baby shampoo is very gentle and could be a good option.
1. Applying Shampoo
To administer the shampoo, for slippers it’s easiest to use a facecloth or other square of soft fabric. You need it to be flexible enough to push into the slipper with your hand.
Follow the instructions on the shampoo, using only a very small amount of the cleaning solution as you’re not going to be able to rinse the sheepskin extensively. Apply to the cloth and then rub the solution into the slipper interior. Start gently using a light massaging movement and check how it goes, you can increase pressure if you find the dirt isn’t lifting.
2. Rinsing
Once the sheepskin is clean and fluffed up, rinse your cloth thoroughly and soak it in warm (filtered if you can!) water and then clean again to rinse the shampoo away as much as possible. This is why using as little shampoo as you need is best, because rinsing is difficult and you don’t want to soak the whole slipper with water. Use small amounts of water and apply several times to remove shampoo.
3. Drying
Once you’ve rinsed, let the slippers air dry. If you need to speed things up a little, or you’re finding they are a bit too wet and need a head start, you can use a hairdryer on a low heat for a short while. Don’t hold the hairdryer too close, you don’t want to overheat the sheepskin.
You might find you want to do this yearly, right before the Winter season, and you’ll be surprised how well the sheepskin comes up – clean and bouncy and looking just like new again! If your current slippers are beyond repair or you feel like treating yourself view our extensive range sheepskin slippers for ladies and men.
If you would like more information on cleaning sheepskin please view the following articles:
- Our Best Cleaning Products For Your Sheepskin & Cowhides
- Lambland Woolwash
- Best Ways To Look After Your Sheepskin Rug
*This article was updated on 30th January 2024
