Can you wash moccasins?
Yes, they can be washed. And here are the two best ways to do it.
Hand Washing Moccasins
First of all, you will want to get all of the products you need together before starting the cleaning of your moccasins.
Things you will need:
- Pan for water
- Soap – baby shampoo
- Soft bristle brush
- Newspaper
The first thing you will want to do is brush the moccasins off to get rid of the excess dirt. You are going to want to fill a pan full of water. Dip the soft bristle brush in the water. Scrub the moccasins off with water until the shoes are fully soaked. You may put a little soap in any overly dirty or stained areas. Make sure to use a baby shampoo so it isn’t harsh on the suede, such as baby shampoo. Next, scrub down the whole shoe with the shampoo. After you have scrubbed down the shoes, rinse them with clean water from the pan.
It is important to let the moccasins dry naturally. Do not put them in direct sunlight or by a heat source, this will cause the shoes to shrink and dry out. Putting crumpled up newspaper inside the shoes will help soak up the excess moisture.
*see a trick about helping the moccasins keep the shape of your feet down below.
Machine Washing Moccasins
Things you will need:
- Baby shampoo
- Washing machine
- Newspaper
Before washing your moccasins in the washing machine, make sure to have the correct soap. The shampoo you will need is herbal or baby shampoo, you don’t want anything harsh on the suede. You are going to only need a very little amount to clean the shoes. Put the moccasins in the machine. It’s best to wash them by themselves. Set the machine to a gentle cycle and let the machine do what it does best. Pull the moccasins out after the spin cycle is complete. This will help them with drying out. Next, let them air dry. Do not put them by any source of heat, including sunlight. This will dry them out and can lead to shrinkage and stiffness. To help them dry out, you can put newspaper sheets in the shoes to soak up the excess moisture.
*Here is a trick to keep them from shrinking and becoming stiff. Put a pair of socks on and wear the moccasins while they are still damp. This allows your feet to shape the moccasins to how they were before washing. Wear them while lounging around or watching TV. After a while take them off and allow them to finish drying.
After washing your moccasins by hand, or in the washing machine. You are going to want to protect them from getting dirty again. I recommended spraying them with a water protector spray, such as Minnetonka Water & Stain Repellent. This helps waterproof them and keeps them clean for longer.
I have been looking for directions on cleaning moccasins forever. Thank you so much for this.