LL Bean slippers (moccasins) have high-quality materials, including leather, sheepskin, and shearling lining. Because of their composition, it’s important to take proper care when cleaning them, as they can build up dirt and bacteria over time, just like any other footwear.
In this article, we’ll explain step by step how to wash LL Bean slippers in a non-washing machine method. You can use products such as baking soda, detergent, and a moist cloth to clean these slippers without damaging them. We’ll also touch on what you should try to avoid when cleaning them.
Keep reading as we dive into further detail and cover some common cleaning mistakes to avoid when cleaning your slippers.
What to Avoid When Washing L.L. Bean Slippers
There are several things you should definitely stay away from when cleaning your L.L. Bean slippers. Certain chemicals and over-the-counter products can damage the sheepskin material or the leather.
Make sure to avoid the following:
- Harsh chemicals (those included in more intense laundry detergents and stain removers)
- Hot water
- Bleach or products containing bleach
- Hot air or a heated dryer
You should also avoid using scrub brushes or harsh materials when cleaning stains out of your slippers. These will destroy the surface of your slippers or wear them down, and they just won’t look the same anymore.
The best method is to use a soft, damp cloth and apply gentle pressure to remove stains.
Step 1: Washing the Removable Insoles
LL Bean slippers usually come with a set of removable lambskin/shearling insoles. There are a couple of ways that you can wash this part of your slipper.
Gentle Machine Wash
First off, if you really want to avoid handwashing, you could technically put the insoles in your washing machine on a cold water, gentle setting with a small amount of mild detergent. Note, however, that it’s always better to wash by hand to maintain the integrity of these quality slippers.
If you take the machine washing route for the insoles, make sure to only air-dry them. Drying them in the washing machine runs the risk of shrinking your shoes, messing up their shape, or compromising the materials they’re made of. The heat from your dryer is simply not good for sheepskin material.
Gentle Hand Wash
The second option for washing the removable insoles is to hand wash them. Hand washing your L.L. Bean slippers is going to be the most effective at removing dirt and stains, while still maintaining their integrity.
Step by step, here’s how to do a hand wash:
- First, sprinkle baking soda onto the shearling lining and let it sit like that overnight. This will help to uplift any excess moisture or bad smells.
- The next day, make sure to get rid of the baking soda by turning the insoles upside down and tapping or shaking off the powder into the trash can.
- Second, grab a gentle rag, add some cool water to it, and put a few drops of mild detergent on it.
- Gently use the rag to blot soiled or stained areas of the lining until you feel like the stain has lifted. Be careful not to rub too hard.
- Use a clean rag with just cool water and gently blot the spot to rinse it.
- Grab yet another clean rag, this time a dry one, and use it to lift up any remaining moisture from the lining.
- Let the lining air dry in a cool, dry location to make sure that it doesn’t get moldy.
Step 2: Washing the Slippers
The steps you should follow when washing the rest of the slipper (basically, the shoe part) are relatively similar to what you need to do when washing the insoles.
Again, you have the option of doing a cold water, gentle washing in the washing machine. However, similar to washing the insoles, it’s preferable to do a gentle hand wash instead.
You can remove stains and dirt from your L.L. Bean slippers in the same way that you can remove them from the insoles – a baking soda dry wash, followed by mild detergent and cool water on a rag.
If you absolutely need to, you can use a soft-bristle brush, such as a soft toothbrush, to remove stains from the outside of the slippers. It may be more effective than just using a rag.
How Often Should L.L. Bean Slippers Be Cleaned
You should clean your L.L. Bean slippers whenever you can see visible dirt. The biggest factors are how often you wear them and are they likely to gather dust and dirt.
If you only wear them inside, you shouldn’t need to clean them more than once or twice a year.
Frequent cleaning is fine as long as you follow the guidelines provided above so that the slippers don’t become damaged.
Check out my full review of the L.L. Bean brand and products if you’re interesting in hearing more!
Final Thoughts
When washing LL Bean slippers, take care to avoid harsh chemicals, hot water, and drying machines.
You can use baking soda, mild detergent, and cool water to gently clean the insoles and the shoes and maintain the leather and wool they’re made from.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Remove Soap Residue from My L.L. Bean Slippers?
After you are done washing your L.L. Bean slippers you should take a dry towel and wipe any remaining soap residue off the shoe. Leaving the residue on the slippers for too long will damage the material and result in discoloration.
How Long Will It Take for My L.L. Bean Slippers to Dry?
After you have wiped away any remaining soap residue, you can leave your slippers to dry. The process should take a few hours if you leave them to air dry.
You should not leave your slippers out in the sun as this can damage the sheep’s skin. However, you can use a hairdryer or place your slippers over a vent to help speed up the process.
Can I Put My L.L. Bean Slippers in the Washing Machine?
You should never put your slippers directly into a washing machine as this will result in water damage. Additionally, the spin cycle could damage the hide holding together the slipper.
Should I Put My L.L. Bean Slippers in a Dryer?
You should also never use a dryer to dry your slippers since exposing them to extreme heat and excessive tumbling can ruin the slippers.
