How to wash felt boots in a washing machine

Valenki (felt boots) have become a fashion trend again. It's no surprise, as the all-natural material provides comfort, and the simple design allows for experimentation with patterns and embellishments. Of course, felt gets dirty with heavy use, so it's important to find out whether felt boots are machine washable.

Is machine washing possible?

In fact, experts question whether washing felt boots automatically is more convenient than hand washing. A myriad of nuances makes the process labor-intensive and painstaking. Consider this: you should avoid using powder and regular detergents, water is highly likely to deform the product, you can't spin it either by machine or by hand, and you also need to dry it properly. If you still want to wash your felt boots in a washing machine, follow these rules:

• First, gently clean the felt with a dry brush to remove any serious dirt such as pieces of mud, etc.;
• Purchase wooden or plastic blocks of the required size. Place them inside the shoes to avoid their deformation during the washing process;
• clean in the most delicate mode without spinning or rinsing;
• Use a small amount of black laundry detergent as a detergent.

Once the process is complete, dry your felt boots properly. First, remove them from the drum, but do not remove the shoe trees until the boots are completely dry. Place the shoes in a basin to allow any excess water to drain.

Gentle hand wash

There's no doubt that hand cleaning will protect your felt boots from damage, making them last longer without losing their original quality. This method is much more suitable for those who value their footwear. First, use a rubber or other dry brush and remove the most obvious dirt, such as chunks of clay, sand, and clumps of mud.

Important! Avoid sanding or other harsh tools on the felt. If the material is damaged, the boots will lose their insulating properties and their appearance will be affected.

After brushing, you can vacuum the felt boots. This will remove any dust or other dry dirt. Next, soak the boots in a soapy solution for several hours. To avoid deformation, it's best to do this as follows: take a soft sponge or cloth, soak it in the solution, and wipe the surface of the boots. Repeat this process until you feel the cleaning is sufficient.

Now all that's left is to dry them: stuff the inside of the felt boots with plastic bags as tightly as possible and leave them to dry naturally. Avoid placing them near heaters or radiators: felt doesn't tolerate high temperatures.

Reviving light-colored shoes

Despite their tendency to stain, white felt boots are especially popular among fashionistas. They look much softer and more airy than their counterparts made of regular black and gray felt. It must be admitted that no matter how carefully you wear white shoes, sooner or later they will begin to look unpresentable. But you can restore their former beauty. Use store-bought products:

• Vanish carpet powder;
• Vanish gel;
• Affection.

Dry Vanish for carpets is diluted with water and shaken until foam forms. The foam is then applied to the felt boots, wiping problem areas, and the residue is then vacuumed away.

Note! You can even let the mixture dry on the felt for a while to absorb as much of the remaining dirt as possible. The dried powder will also be much easier to vacuum up.

Follow the same procedure with Vanish Gel, but remove any residue with a sponge. Unlike Vanish, Laska doesn't have bleaching properties, so you'll need to add a little bleach. Apply the solution to your favorite shoes with a sponge, rinse gently, and let them air dry away from radiators.

You can also wash your felt boots in a washing machine using Laska, unless the manufacturer prohibits it. Use only the most delicate washing settings. Regular running water will also help remove stains. However, don't overdo it and don't soak the boots in the shower. It's better to first rub the felt with damp soap and then simply rinse with tap water.

Housewives recommend an excellent homemade method for dry cleaning felt boots. Take any white grain (semolina, tooth powder, starch) and thoroughly rub it into the boots. The more loose mixture you can force into the felt, the better.Then you just need to knock out the remaining powder, and all the dirt will come off along with the powder.

To be honest, experts still recommend hand cleaning, either dry or wet, as it's easier to do without deforming or damaging your favorite footwear. The above methods don't require much time or money, and your felt boots will remain in excellent condition. Machine washing such items, however, is always risky, and following various recommendations will take more time than it saves.

   

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