Many fabric, fleece or plush slippers can go in the washing machine: in a mesh bag or a closed pillowcase, at 30 °C, on a delicate cycle, with a little detergent, then air dried away from the radiator. Slippers with leather, cork, memory foam or glued soles are best cleaned by hand, with a brush and soapy water, without soaking them. In every case, the label has the final say.
In short
- Machine: fabric, fleece, plush, soft stitched sole. 30 °C, delicate, mesh bag.
- By hand: leather, suede, boiled wool, memory foam, glued or rigid sole.
- Drying: air dry, stuffed with paper, never on the radiator.
- Odours: dry them well, alternate two pairs, wear clean socks.
Can you wash slippers in the washing machine?
Often, but not always. Check the label first, sewn inside or under the tongue. A tub with a number allows machine washing at that maximum temperature; a tub with a hand means hand wash; a crossed-out tub means no water. These symbols are standardised in Europe by GINETEX. Without a label, here is a simple rule:
| Type of slipper | Recommended washing |
|---|
| Plush, fleece, velvet, fabric, soft stitched sole | Machine, 30 °C, delicate |
| Cotton or hemp with textile sole | Machine, 30 °C, delicate |
| Memory foam | By hand, surface only |
| Glued, thick rubber or cork sole | By hand, no soaking |
| Leather, suede, boiled wool | Brush and suitable product, never in the machine |
How to wash slippers in the washing machine
- Empty them: shake out the dust and remove removable insoles.
- Brush the outer sole to remove dirt and hair.
- Pre-treat stains with a little liquid detergent.
- Put them in a mesh bag or an old closed pillowcase, with two or three towels to balance the drum and cushion the knocks.
- Run a delicate cycle at 30 °C, low spin, with a small dose of detergent and no fabric softener.
- Reshape them as soon as they come out, and let them air dry.
How to wash slippers by hand
- Fill a bowl with lukewarm water and a little gentle detergent or soap.
- Dip a soft brush or cloth, wring it out, and scrub the top and inside in small circles.
- For glued soles, do not immerse them: water can unstick the sole.
- Rinse with a clean damp cloth, without soaking.
- Pat dry with a towel.
Memory foam soaks up water, dries very slowly and can deform: clean it on the surface only, with a barely damp cloth, and let it air dry for a long time.
Washing wool, suede or leather slippers
These materials do not go in the machine. Brush boiled or felted wool dry, then clean stains with a barely damp cloth and wool soap, without rubbing hard: wet wool felts and shrinks if rubbed. For suede, use a suede brush and eraser, dry. For leather, a damp cloth then leather milk or cream. Always air dry, away from heat, stuffed with paper.
How to dry slippers without ruining them
- Air dry, in a ventilated room, flat or hanging.
- Stuff them with newspaper or kitchen roll, changed after a few hours: they keep their shape and dry faster.
- No radiator or tumble dryer, unless the label allows it: heat shrinks plush, hardens soles and melts some glues.
- Time: allow 24 to 48 hours. Do not put them back on damp.
Smelly slippers: what to do?
The smell comes from sweat and moisture held in the padding. Wash them, dry them completely, then keep the smell from coming back: wear them with clean socks, alternate two pairs so each dries every other day, and leave them out in the evening rather than in a closed cupboard. Wash removable insoles separately by hand: they are often the real culprit. Keeping feet dry is also part of the French health insurance's advice for preventing fungal skin infections. If a strong smell persists with itching or peeling skin between the toes, talk to a pharmacist or your doctor.
When should you replace your slippers?
Replace them when the sole is smooth, the heel has collapsed or they no longer stay on your foot. It is not just about comfort: for older people, the French National Authority for Health (HAS) advises indoor shoes that hold the foot, with a heel counter and a non-slip sole, rather than mules that slip.
To finish
Clean, dry slippers last longer. If yours have had their day, our soft women's slippers and men's memory foam slippers take over; follow each pair's label for care. And for the pyjamas to go with them, see our women's pyjama size guide.
Sources
