Outside of shearling slippers rough after washing

April 15, 2017 11:33 AM

I handwashed these slippers using Woolite. Now that they've dried, the suede outer surface is not as soft as it used to be -- it feels a bit rough the way dry/chapped skin does. Is this normal, did I make a mistake, and can I treat them with something or do anything to get them back to their original feel?
posted by duoshao to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (7 answers total)

First, I would want to be sure that you rinsed the slippers really, really well. If you're sure of that, I'd be inclined to beat them around a little bit, maybe even throw them in the dryer if it has a tumble/no heat setting.
posted by Night_owl at 11:50 AM on April 15, 2017

I would give them a good brushing with a soft bristle brush. See if that helps.
posted by SLC Mom at 12:12 PM on April 15, 2017 [1 favorite]

Treat them with leather conditioner (just be warned, it will darken them).
posted by mama casserole at 3:39 PM on April 15, 2017

Don't treat suede with leather conditioner. Get a suede brush and brush them and they'll be as good as they're going to get. They won't ever be exactly the same as they were before you washed them but they'll soften up with time and a brushing.
posted by fshgrl at 3:52 PM on April 15, 2017 [1 favorite]

Don't treat suede with leather conditioner.

Yeah, I agree generally, but I also agree with "don't wash shearling with detergent." Brushing it won't restore moisture that was stripped in the washing.
posted by mama casserole at 4:38 PM on April 15, 2017 [1 favorite]

I'd also recommend trying a suede brush. You could also contact LL Bean.
posted by radioamy at 4:59 PM on April 15, 2017 [1 favorite]

Yep, just brush them with a suede brush, and wear them. They will soften up. I would not put leather conditioner on shearling slippers because it can make the wooley inside sticky or greasy. If you think they need some extra conditioning rub your feet with a small amount of lanolin-based balm like Bag Balm and then wear your slippers.
posted by oneirodynia at 8:29 PM on April 15, 2017 [1 favorite]