How to Clean Felt Shoes

Table of Contents

Felt shoes are highly demanded due to the warmth they provide the users, the comfort they allow them to achieve, and the sophistication that the fabric provides. However, they are somewhat hard to clean because felt is very sensitive; it disintegrates into a powder-like substance if it is cleaned roughly. In this guide, you will see “how to clean a pair of felt shoes” with the different procedures that you can undertake which include spot cleaning, machine washing, and hand washing. We will also briefly discuss how to take care of your felt shoes and what should not be done on the shoes. You will therefore be well informed as you continue to read of measures that have to be observed in order to keep your felt shoes fashionable and newly looking and lasting.

How to Clean Felt Shoes: Step-by-Step Method

Cleaning felt shoes requires a gentle approach. Follow the given steps to clean your felt shoes:

Gather Your Materials: Collect the material like a soft brush, mild detergent, cold water, a soft cloth, and a towel.

Remove Loose Dirt: Use a soft brush or cloth to gently remove any dirt or debris. Take caution that rubbing on the surface of the felt should not be hard-jointed as this may cause serious tearing of the felt.

Prepare a Cleaning Solution: Add a limited portion of the mild detergent to cold water. It should not be washed with hot water so that felt will not shrink.

Test a Small Area First: As with any cleaning process, using a cleaning solution on a sensitive material, first test-clean an area of the shoe that is not prominent to see the effect that it may have on the shoes.

Clean the Shoes: Take another soft cloth and damp it in the cleaning solution then wipe the shoes If you need additional cleaning solution, don’t pour water as this may harm the shoes. It is suggested not to scrub these rugs as doing so will tear the surface of the felt.

Rinse and Dry: Wash off the soap with a little water and then proceed to wipe off with a piece of clean material. After that, it should be suggested to fill shoes with paper towels or a soft cloth for their shape and moisture. It is recommended that they are left to dry in open air, but not under direct sun or near heaters.

Spot Clean, Hand Wash, Machine Wash: Which Method is Best?

This leads us to a further question of Which Method is Best for fostering the positive outcomes of care giving or the understanding of users’ requirements and the interactions they have with awarded projects.

Spot Cleaning

Purpose: Most suitable for removal of small dirt and staining agents on the shoe without wetting the whole shoe.

Why It’s Safe: Focuses on specific regions. Hence, minimizing damage to the rest of the shoe.

Steps

Step 1: Locate the affected part that is either stained or dirty in the shoe.

Step 2: Appropriately dilute the washing solution of the detergent then make sure that the detergent is diluted to a point that it doesn’t leave the marks behind.

 Step 3: One should use a piece of cloth that is soft to apply the cleaning solution to the targeted area.

Step 4: The next step is to take a clean cloth which must be washed to remove the stain and do not rub the felt shoe density because this will harm it.

Step 5: After that, pat the area carefully using a dry cloth to remove any deposited soap residues.

Step 6: Let the area that has been spot-cleaned dry by exposure to natural air, do not use heat or direct sunlight to dry the upholstery.

Hand Washing

Purpose: Ideal for the times when the whole shoe requires attention and deep cleaning.

Why It’s Preferred: This washing process has control over the felt and reduces the probability of damaging the felt shoes.

Steps

Step 1: Pour cold water into a basin or sink with the intention of performing the test right on the substance.

Step 2: Add a little mild detergent into the water and stir the liquid until it is fully incorporated.

Step 3: Immerse the felt shoes in the water which is part of the cleaning activity of the shoes. Here, briefly wash them with your hands, trying to stir the contaminants with your fingers.

Step 4: Do not rub shoes hard against the felt as this will lead to shedding of the material or may also misshape the felt.

Step 5: You should wash the shoes with cold water when you scrub them so that you can be sure that the shoes are not saturated with the detergent.

Step 6: Air the shoes gently to towel away the extremity in water and do not twist or wring the shoe.

Step 7: Place some paper towels or soft cloths inside the shoes in order to give them the right shape while drying.

Step 8: Avoid using a hair dryer or heater to dry the shoes and leave the shoes in good air circulation.

Machine Washing

Purpose: The harshest type of washing that is mostly used when one cannot wash with his or her hands or on tough stains.

Why It’s Risky: Felt is tender and if washed in a washing machine then it can shrink or change shape altogether.

Steps

Step 1: Gather a mesh laundry bag to prevent the shoes from getting too much movement during the washing process.

Step 2: Adjust your washing machine to the gentle or delicate settings, and use cold water only.

Step 3: Add only a small amount of mild soap in the mixture. Do not use fabric softeners or bleach on the felt: it weakens the fabric and does not suit treatment with chemicals.

Step 4: After the washing cycle is done, take the shoes out from the laundry bag without any delay.

Step 5: With simultaneous light pressure the shoes should be compressed to make the water come out. Do not twist or wring.

Step 6: Stuff the shoes with paper towels or some soft clothes so that they can maintain their shape.

Step 7: The last step is to let the shoes dry on their own without the use of dryers as this can shrink the felt part of the shoes.

  • For those of you with shoes manufactured from other materials, do visit this article on How to Clean Satin Shoes. The tips that are given there are very helpful, especially in cleaning various types of materials.

How to Clean Wool Felt Shoes

Wool felt shoes have to be treated with more gentleness as compared to synthetic felt because wool is more sensitive. Here’s how to clean them properly:

Brush Off Dirt: Dipping a soft-bristle brush in water and soap, wipe down the wool felt in such a manner as to avoid the formation of ‘felt’.

Spot Clean Stains: For small stain solutions you are allowed to use cold water and wool-safe detergent. For the stain, use a cloth soaked in the solution from the afore-mentioned mixture, but don’t rub it hard. Do not rub though as this can compress the fibers together and mat them, this goes specifically for wool fabric.

Hand Wash with Care: If for any reason the whole shoe requires washing then it is recommended to wash it by hand. Put the wool felt shoes in cold water, add wool-safe detergent, and leave to soak for some time gently rubbing the shoes. It has not been advised to rub the shoes because this may distort the wool fabric of the shoes.

Air Dry: After washing the shoes when you are done, blot them to remove as much water as possible. Then, let the shoes dry naturally. Ensure that they are dried away from any form of heat, especially sunlight and heat from fire since these lead to the shrinking of the wool.

Tips for Maintaining Felt Shoes

Caring for your felt shoes can increase the duration of using these shoes. Here are some helpful tips:

Regular Brushing: Gently clean the surface with a soft-bristled brush in order to lessen the frequency at which you will need to clean it out. This avoids the accumulation of dirt that may prove unbearable after some time.

Use a Water Repellent Spray: By applying a water-repellent spray on the felt shoes one is sure that the shoes will not easily be stained or soaked.

Avoid Prolonged Sun Exposure: Because felt retains direct sunlight, it can change color and reduce the strength of the fibers. It is preferred that the shoes be packed and placed in cool, dry areas that are not exposed to the sunshine.

Proper Storage: If you have felt shoes, but they are not used constantly, then surely you should store them in a shoe bag or shoe box with aeration. There are strict instructions to be followed, avoid packing items in plastic bags since they become moist and will develop mold.

Avoid Doing This While Cleaning Felt Shoes

To keep your felt shoes in the best possible condition, avoid these common mistakes:

Using Hot Water: Hot water can shrink the felt, causing it to lose its shape. Always use cold water when cleaning felt shoes.

Scrubbing Aggressively: Scrubbing can cause the felt fibers to pill or mat together, damaging the fabric’s texture. Stick to gentle dabbing or light brushing.

Bleaching: Felt loses its strength and gets discolored when exposed to bleach. Rather use a mild powder that is gentle on the skin of the shoes or a liquid that is also gentle.

Drying Near Heat Sources: It is indicated that heat is likely to make the Felt shrink or even lose its desired shape. Patent leather of felt shoes requires natural drying only and should be left to dry in an open area.

Wringing or Twisting: Do not twist the shoes in order to remove access water after washing, for this will squeeze the felt and end up with distorted shoes.

What is the Best Thing to Clean Felt with?

The care instructions recommend that felt should be washed with mild soaps only and this should be done in cold water only. When applying the cleaning solution to the fabric the right Associated Cleaning Fabric Stiff items, soft objects, or even sponges should be used in order to wipe the material on the surface. Rubbing it with a soft cloth is not sufficient, though, washing it with a solution that has water and white vinegar will. Remember that when trying out any cleaning solution please ensure that you make it on a hidden area of the shoe not easily noticeable in case it damages the shoe.

Is it OK to Wash Felt?

Of course, washing felt is possible, but one has to do it extremely carefully. All products should be hand washed by using cold water and mild detergent, though they can be washed in the washing machine, it should be done very carefully and gently. Only a gentle cycle must be used and other protection should be used like a mesh washing bag.

  • For more details on washing different types of shoe material, you may visit How to Clean Vessi Shoes. It provides information on cleaning waterproof shoes which to some extent resemble felt shoes.

Can I Put Felt Shoes in the Washing Machine?

It is possible to wash felt shoes in a washing machine, however, it should not be done very often. If you do, it is best to wash in cold water, on a gentle cycle and it is preferable if the shoes are placed in a mesh laundry bag and do not use strong soap. Machine drying is prohibited to be done to the shoes as it may result in damaging the felt portion of the shoes, make sure to always air dry the shoes after washing.

Conclusion

With these tips and steps into consideration, it is possible to maintain felt shoes in order to look as good as new. Regardless of whether you’re using the spot cleaner, hand washing, or the machine, the secret is in being gentle as you wash and patient at the same time. That is why you need to learn how to properly maintain the felt shoes so that you can keep them looking this great for many more years to come.

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