The Easiest Way to Clean Sheepskin Slippers

June 2, 2015

If you’ve ever purchased a pair of authentic sheepskin slippers, you know that keeping them free of dirt and grime, and cleaning them properly when they do get soiled, is the key to making them last as long as possible. That’s why we try our best to make sure our customers know exactly how to clean and care for their handmade sheepskin slippers and outerwear, which products are best to use, and how to avoid an unnecessary, and potentially costly, trip to the dry cleaners when possible.

Remove Stains from the Suede

The first and most important product we recommend that you use on your shearling slippers is a rain and stain shield made specifically for suede or leather, especially if you ever plan to wear the slippers outdoors. Specially formulated to repel water, the non-silicone rain repellent will protect your slippers from water spotting and help them resist soiling as well, even when you wear them day after day (which is exactly what we expect you’ll want to do!) To remove spotting on the suede or leather, a suede conditioner or cleaner should do the trick.

Cleaning the Wool Itself

Another great product for genuine sheepskin coats and other garments is regular old hair shampoo or a mild detergent, which you can use with a rag and cool water to just blot the soiled area of shearling. Without soaking through to the suede, carefully rinse and hand blot the excess moisture with a towel, and then let the sheepskin air-dry outdoors, out of direct sunlight to avoid fading. When the wool is nearly dry, brush it out until the shearling in the area you cleaned is fluffed up to match the rest.

Don’t Wait to Clean Your Sheepskin

As with any garment, your best bet for being able to clean your sheepskin slippers on your own, without an expensive trip to the dry cleaners, is to treat the spot or stain as soon as it occurs. If you let it marinate for a few days, the chances of easy removal are slim to none. That being said, if your sheepskin slippers or shearling jacket become soiled overall, it’s probably a good idea to take them to a professional dry cleaner that has experience cleaning suede, leather and/or sheepskin.

Make Your Shearling Slippers Last

Sheepskin is a naturally durable material, and our custom shearling slippers and garments are made to last for years with the proper care. By following our recommendations for sheepskin cleaning and care, you can continue to enjoy your handmade shearling item from The Sheepherder for years to come.