How to Wash Felt Slippers and Care for Wool Slippers Without Shrinking Them

Wool and felt slippers are some of the longest-lasting things you can wear at home, but only if you clean them the right way. Wool felt reacts to heat and rubbing: treat it like a cotton T-shirt and it can shrink, harden or lose its shape. This guide explains how to wash felt slippers, how to dry them, how to deal with pilling and smells, and what not to do. The care steps come from the care instructions of the handmade OmaKing slippers we sell, made by a family workshop in Estonia since 1927.

Always check the care note on your own pair first. Several of our slipper product pages list washing instructions; if yours does not, stick to airing, brushing and spot cleaning.

Why felt needs gentle care

Felt is wool fibres matted together with moisture, warmth and pressure. The same three things that make felt can also keep changing it after you buy it. Hot water, a hot dryer or hard rubbing tighten the fibres further, so the slipper shrinks and stiffens. Gentle, cool washing and slow air drying keep the felt soft and the right size.

The good news is that wool needs washing far less often than synthetic slippers. It breathes and lets moisture escape, so for most of the year airing and brushing are enough.

Everyday care: the 2-minute routine

• Air them. Take the slippers off and leave them somewhere airy instead of in a closed cupboard, so moisture from your feet can evaporate.
• Brush or shake out. Remove dust, crumbs and hair with a soft brush or by tapping the soles together.
• Rotate. If you wear slippers all day, a second pair lets each one dry out fully.
• Spot clean early. Deal with a mark while it is fresh, before it soaks into the felt.

How to wash felt slippers

For OmaKing slippers whose care note allows washing, such as the Halla lambswool and felt slippers, Mustja natural felt slippers and Trolla Dots wool slippers, the instructions are:

1. Choose hand wash or machine wash at 30 °C on the wool programme. For the Trolla model, use a moderate spin.
2. Use a wash bag in the machine. A simple pillowcase works. It protects the slippers and the drum.
3. Use a mild wool detergent. Avoid regular detergents and bleach, which are too harsh for wool.
4. Air dry only. Keep the slippers away from dryers, radiators and underfloor heating.

Note from the maker: leather labels may change in appearance after washing. That is normal and does not affect the slipper.

Hand washing is the gentlest option: use lukewarm water no warmer than 30 °C with a little wool detergent, press the suds through the felt rather than scrubbing, rinse in water of the same temperature and press out the water with a towel. Do not wring or twist.

How to dry wool slippers without shrinking them

• Press out as much water as you can with a dry towel.
• Reshape the slippers by hand while they are damp. Stuffing them loosely with paper or a small towel helps them keep their shape.
• Dry at room temperature in an airy spot, standing up or on their side.
• Be patient: thick felt can take a day or two. Never use a tumble dryer, a radiator, a stove or a hair dryer, and do not put them on underfloor heating.

The same rule applies to wet winter boots; see How to Dry Wet Boots for more on why direct heat damages natural materials.

Pilling, stains and smells

Problem	What to do
Pilling (small wool balls)	Remove with a fabric shaver or a simple razor, working lightly over the surface.
Dust, hair, crumbs	Brush with a soft brush or use a lint roller.
Fresh mark on felt or wool textile	Dab with a damp cloth; do not rub hard. For textile and suede, a gentle gel cleaner applied with a damp microfibre cloth works, such as the plant-based GoGoNano Clean gel.
Dirty rubber sole	Wipe with a damp cloth.
Smell	Air the slippers first. If the smell stays, spray a shoe freshener inside and let it dry for 20–30 minutes; the GoGoNano Fresh spray with probiotics works for up to 30 days.
Slippers feel flat or out of shape	Lightly dampen, reshape by hand and let them dry slowly at room temperature.

Slippers with leather details or barefoot models

Some slippers combine felt with leather. The OmaKing Barefoot Indoor Slippers, for example, have a natural felt upper, lining and insole, leather details at the toe and opening, and a flexible, non-marking rubber sole. For pairs like these, brush and air them regularly, spot clean the felt with a damp cloth, and keep water away from the leather parts. If you are unsure, do not machine wash.

What not to do

• Do not wash above 30 °C.
• Do not tumble dry.
• Do not dry on a radiator, stove or underfloor heating.
• Do not wring, twist or scrub hard.
• Do not use bleach or strong detergents.
• Do not store damp slippers in a closed bag or box.

Storing slippers over summer

Make sure the slippers are clean and completely dry, then store them in a dry, airy place, ideally in a cotton bag rather than plastic. Cedar wood or lavender helps keep moths away from wool. Our guide How to Store Boots Properly covers the same principles for winter footwear.

Frequently asked questions

Can I put felt slippers in the washing machine?

If the care note allows it, yes: 30 °C on the wool programme, in a wash bag, with mild wool detergent, then air dry. Our Halla, Mustja and Trolla slippers list exactly these instructions.

How often should I wash wool slippers?

Rarely. Airing and brushing are enough most of the time; wash when they are visibly dirty or airing no longer helps.

My felt slippers shrank. Can I fix it?

A little shrinkage can sometimes be eased by dampening the felt and wearing the slippers with thick socks while they dry at room temperature. Heavy shrinkage from hot water or a dryer usually cannot be reversed, which is why the 30 °C and air-dry rules matter.

Choosing new slippers? Compare materials in Wool vs Felt vs Leather Slippers, or browse our wool and felt slippers and barefoot slippers, handmade in Estonia. Prices include VAT. Shipping is free to every EU country on orders of €100 or more (€6.90 below €100), with dispatch the next business day and 30-day returns.