Care Instructions for Haflinger Slippers
To ensure your Haflinger slippers provide long-lasting comfort, proper care is essential. Each material has unique properties and requires specific attention. Here you will find tips and guidelines for caring for leather, wool felt, boiled wool (Walkstoff), sheepskin, and the cork footbed of your slippers.
1. Caring for Leather Slippers
Leather is a high-quality, durable natural material that stays supple and retains its elegant look with proper care.
- Cleaning: Wipe off light dirt with a soft, slightly damp cloth. For tougher stains, use mild leather soap or a specialized leather cleaner.
- Maintenance: Regularly apply high-quality leather cream or balm to keep the leather soft and prevent drying.
- Protection: Leather is sensitive to moisture. Do not wash leather slippers in the machine and protect them from water. You can use a colorless leather protector spray if needed.
- Drying: Never dry wet leather slippers directly on a heater or in direct sunlight. Stuff them with newspaper and allow them to air-dry at room temperature.
2. Caring for Wool Felt Slippers
Wool felt is breathable, regulates temperature, and naturally repels dirt.
- Cleaning: Remove light dirt with a soft brush or a damp cloth.
- Stain Treatment: For stubborn stains, use wool detergent in lukewarm water. Avoid excessive rubbing to prevent felting.
- Machine Wash: Only if absolutely necessary, use a gentle wool cycle at a maximum of 30 °C with wool detergent. Place slippers in a laundry bag. Slippers with rubber soles and/or cork footbeds should never be machine-washed.
- Drying: Always air-dry slowly and stuff with paper to maintain the shape. Avoid direct heat or sunlight.
3. Caring for Boiled Wool (Walkstoff) Slippers
Walkstoff is a dense, durable wool fabric that becomes particularly robust through fulling.
- Cleaning: Brush off dirt and dust or vacuum carefully.
- Stain Treatment: Treat stains gently with a damp cloth and mild soap.
- Machine Wash: Can be washed on a wool or delicate cycle at max. 30 °C with wool detergent. Slippers with rubber soles and/or cork footbeds should never be machine-washed.
- Drying: Air-dry at room temperature. Never use a dryer. To retain the shape, stuff slippers with newspaper.
4. Caring for Sheepskin (Lambswool) Slippers
Sheepskin is especially soft, warm, and breathable. Proper care keeps it fluffy and comfortable.
- Cleaning: Dab surface dirt with a damp cloth. For heavier stains, use a specialized sheepskin or wool detergent.
- Hand Wash: Best cleaned by hand in cold or lukewarm water (max. 30 °C).
- Machine Wash: Only if absolutely necessary, use a wool cycle with wool detergent. Slippers with rubber soles and/or cork footbeds should never be machine-washed.
- Drying: Air-dry sheepskin slowly. Never dry on heaters or in direct sunlight. During drying, gently shake and brush the fleece regularly to keep it fluffy.
5. Caring for the Cork Footbed
Many Haflinger slippers feature an anatomically shaped cork footbed for optimal support. To maintain its stability over time, follow these tips:
- Cleaning: Wipe with a slightly damp cloth. For heavier dirt, use a soft brush. Avoid aggressive cleaning agents.
- Odor Removal: Occasionally air out your slippers. If necessary, sprinkle some baking soda, let it sit overnight, and brush off the next day.
- Protection: Avoid exposing cork to prolonged moisture, as it can become brittle.
- Maintenance: If the footbed feels dry over time, special cork care oil or spray can help preserve elasticity.
Haflinger Slippers – Detailed Care Instructions
To keep your Haflinger slippers made of leather, wool felt, boiled wool, or sheepskin comfortable and well-maintained for many years, follow these key care tips. This also includes the cork footbed.
| Material / Part | Cleaning | Stain Treatment | Machine Wash | Drying | Additional Care |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leather | Wipe with a soft, slightly damp cloth | Mild leather soap or special leather cleaner | Not recommended | Do not dry on heaters or in direct sunlight; stuff with newspaper | Regularly apply leather cream or balm; optional colorless leather protector spray |
| Wool Felt | Clean with a soft brush or damp cloth | Lukewarm water + wool detergent; gently rub | Not recommended | Air-dry slowly, stuff with paper to maintain shape; avoid direct heat | Occasionally brush surface to maintain felt texture |
| Boiled Wool (Walkstoff) | Brush off dirt and dust or vacuum gently | Treat stains with a damp cloth and mild soap | Wool or delicate cycle max. 30 °C with wool detergent; slippers with rubber soles and/or cork footbed should never be machine-washed | Air-dry at room temperature, stuff with newspaper to retain shape | Regularly fluff and brush to keep material supple |
| Sheepskin | Dab surface dirt with a damp cloth | Use special sheepskin or wool detergent for heavier stains | Not recommended | Air-dry slowly; never use heaters or direct sunlight; shake and brush regularly to keep fluffy | Keep fleece soft by gentle brushing; avoid direct heat exposure |
| Cork Footbed | Wipe with slightly damp cloth; use soft brush for heavier dirt | Baking soda for odor; let sit overnight and brush off next day | Not recommended | Air-dry; protect from prolonged moisture | Use cork care oil or spray if footbed becomes dry to maintain elasticity |
Tips for Long-Lasting Enjoyment:
- Regularly air and clean slippers
- Avoid prolonged exposure to moisture
- Use appropriate care products for each material
With these guidelines, your Haflinger slippers will remain comfortable, hygienic, and durable for years.