Cleaning the inside of your slippers
Most of us have that one pair of favourite slippers that we wear on a regular basis. For many people, this pair is their ‘comfort slippers’ that fit perfectly in their feet and are just so comfortable. The last thing you want to be worrying about is cleaning the inside of your slippers. Well… have you ever wondered why that happens?
Have you ever noticed that your favourite pair of slippers tend to become super smelly and sweaty over time? Do you want to know how to clean and get the smell out of the inside of your slippers? Read on to find out more!
Why Do Slippers Become Smelly?
There are many reasons why your slippers become smelly, and most of those reasons have to do with one single major factor: SWEAT!
Did you know that there are a greater number of sweat glands present in our feet than any other part of your body?
There are as many as 250,000 sweat glands in each foot, so naturally, your feet will become sweaty, especially when you are wearing shoes.
The sweat produced from your feet tends to break down the bacteria on the skin, which eventually releases a very foul, unpleasant smell. This smell permeates your slippers, making them smelly and sweaty.
Techniques of Cleaning Slippers
One of the simplest and most basic techniques of cleaning slippers is obviously washing them water and soap. You can throw them in the washing machine and let the machine do its job, or you can refer to numerous DIY slipper-cleaning hacks available online that have made life super easy for a lot of people.
Some other methods of cleaning slippers include:
- Leave your slippers outdoors under the sun for as long as possible as the UV rays of the sun are super effective for killing bacteria. While it may not eliminate the stink completely, it will definitely help get rid of the overpowering odour for a while.
- You can invest in commercial cleaning products such as sprays and powders that are particularly designed for treating smelly shoes. Most of them contain antibacterial ingredients and essential oils that greatly help remove the dirty smell.
- If you have any leftover citrus peels from oranges or lemons, you can use those to kill the smell by sticking a peel or two on the inside of your slippers. Leave them overnight and check in the morning if the smell is gone. These peels contain natural oils that can help kill bacteria.
How to Clean Different Types of Slippers
When cleaning smelly slippers, an essential thing to consider is the fabric or material of the slippers. Different types of slippers are supposed to be cleaned differently. Using the wrong method or product will simply ruin your best pair of slippers forever.
Faux Fur Slippers
The best way to clean faux fur slippers is to hand-wash them with warm water and any mild washing powder. Rub the slippers gently with the washing agent, soak in warm water, squeeze out the excess and then leave them to dry.
Sheepskin Slippers
Take a very small amount of shampoo on a damp cloth and rub your sheepskin slippers all over in circular motions. Leave them to dry, or you can even dry them with the help of a radiator.
Suede Slippers
Suede slippers can’t be hand-washed nor machine-washed, so the ideal way to clean them and remove the smell is to use a suede cleaning kit. Follow the instructions on the kit for smell-free slippers.
How to Prevent Your Slippers from Becoming Smelly Again
While you can’t really avoid smelly slippers, unless, of course, you throw them away, there are many ways through which you can prevent the stink from occurring.
- Wash your feet regularly after every few hours, if possible.
- Deodorise inside of your slippers with baking soda and coffee filters.
- Give your slippers a break and don’t wear them all the time.
- Mask the smell with the help of tea bags, citrus peels, or herbs.
- Make sure that your feet are dry every time you wear your slippers because moisture is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria.
Bottom Line
If you really want to extend the life of your favourite pair of slippers, you must follow the above cleaning hacks and keep them smell-free at all times. So, now you know how to clean and get the smell out of the inside of your slippers… keep the smell out in the first place!
If you are looking for a more comfortable pair of slippers than the ones you already have, then why not browse our slippers range here.
Connor Doughty