Cleaning Minnetonka slippers is best done with a toothbrush which should lift off most dirt stains. More stubborn stains can be removed with white vinegar. They shouldn’t be machine washed.
Minnetonka slippers are among the best pairs of go-to shoes to wear, as they provide you with both comfort and durability. Yet, they can easily pick up a scuff or mark along the way.
You often need to clean them to give them a fresh appearance. However, you cannot throw them in the washer, so how do you get them to look like new? Here are some steps to help you along your way.
A Word of Caution
Before you start cleaning your mocs, we recommend checking labels for care instructions. Minnetonka slippers are almost exclusively made from suede which is a type of supple and soft leather. It’s very easy to ruin this fabric with incorrect cleaning methods.
If your slipper is genuine suede leather, never attempt to clean your shoes in a washing machine and/or place it in a dryer, as it will result in damage. We’ll show you the right way to clean them.
The Right Tools for Cleaning Minnetonka Slippers
It helps to have the right cleaning tools, especially when cleaning suede. First, you need something to agitate the nap or suede fibers. We recommend using what you have available at home, like a toothbrush or terry cloth but you can buy a dedicated suede brush.
Removing scuffs and tough soils from the shoes using a regular pencil eraser or an art gum eraser helps. If the scuffs are extreme, you can use fine-grit sandpaper or fine steel wool. Vinegar, cornstarch, and baking soda may also be needed, depending on the type of stain.
How to Clean Minnetonka Slippers
The right way to clean Minnetonka slippers is going to depend on the type of stain you need to remove. Let’s look at the right process for each type.
Removing Dirt from Minnetonka Slippers
- Use your brush on the whole shoe, against the grain. Then brush with the grain to remove as much dirt as possible.
- Do not rush it or be too rough or the dirt may end up deeper in the fibers. Repeat the brushing until most of the soil is released.
- For stubborn stains, you can add a little bit of white vinegar to your brush, which should help to lift it off. Any excess liquid should immediately be blotted away with a paper towel.
- Another effective way of lifting stains from suede is with an eraser which you can gently rub on the surface. You can buy a suede eraser but a regular pencil eraser is more than good enough for the job.
- If the nap does not raise up with brushing, you can moisten it lightly using steam from your kettle by holding your shoe about five inches above it. Even steam from an iron or clothing steamer can be used.
- Next, blot away as much of the water using a dry towel and brush the matted areas back up.
Now, you can leave your mocs to stand in a warm spot for them to dry completely. Never place your suede shoes in a hot area (such as on a radiator) as it can damage the fibers. Once dry, you can brush the nap out and use a pencil eraser to rub any stains which have not been lifted.
Removing Rain and Water Stains
If your shoes have fresh-water stains which are not yet dry, you can apply a few layers of paper towels to press and draw the moisture out. If there is remaining discoloration, you can rub it out using the fine side of an emery board.
Next, apply steam to moisten the shoe using your kettle or steam iron, but avoid getting droplets on the material. Once you’ve treated the whole shoe, blot it dry with a towel and gently brush the nap. Leave the shoes in a warm place to dry out. Give them another brush again once dry.
Removing Stubborn Grease and Oil
These are difficult to remove but not impossible. If it is a fresh stain, you can apply cornstarch to it. You can also use rolled oats to rub the area with a dry towel using a circular motion. Leave the cornstarch/rolled oats overnight and brush it out in the morning.
If you find the stain is still present, you can apply some white vinegar on the spot using a toothbrush. Then, leave it to dry and brush it with a toothbrush again. If all else fails, use the kettle’s steam on the spot and dry afterward.
For removing salt stains, you can brush out most of them with your suede brush. Next, take a soft cloth and rub a small amount of white vinegar into the nap where you see the salt is not removed. Then blot it dry with a towel. Now, brush it back and forth to remove the excess salt.
Deodorizing The Inside
- Take an upholstery attachment to vacuum the inside of the shoe.
- You can use equal parts of water and white vinegar to remove odor and give it a light mist. Then, leave it to dry and determine if you need to repeat it.
- You can use baking soda sprinkled into the shoe for deep cleaning and tap it around to coat the inside. Then, leave it to stand and vacuum it out after a few hours.
FAQs on How To Clean Minnetonka Slippers
Can you wash Minnetonka slippers?
Minnetonka slippers need to be treated with great care and should only be spot cleaned using a small amount of liquid. A brush or an eraser will lift off most stains.
How do you deodorize Minnetonka slippers?
A white vinegar spray that you leave to air dry or baking soda which you then vacuum out are both great ways to remove odor.
Can you wash moccasin slippers in the washing machine?
This should only be done as a last resort when all other steps have failed. A gentle washing cycle should be used.
