Ever wondered how to make your knit or crochet slippers non-slip? I wondered as well and I decided to put 7 non-slip methods to the test to see which ways were the most effective. Read each item on the list for details about my experiment and see which non-slip method  was my favorite!
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7 was to make slippers non-slip, crochet slippers non-slip methods

HOW TO MAKE CROCHET SLIPPERS NON-SLIP – 7 TESTED METHODS

I get asked a certain question quite often. Crocheters reach out wondering how to make their freshly finished crochet slippers non-slip. This is especially important if your slippers are for a seasoned individual or a very young individual. We want to avoid any slips and falls! Unfortunately, until writing this post, I wasn’t really sure. And since I really should know,  I decided to figure it out! I had heard of a few methods in Facebook comments and while searching on Google, but I hadn’t tried any of them personally, so I felt uncomfortable suggesting something I didn’t have first-hand experience with. I decided it’s time to gather up all the non-slip methods I could find and put them to the test.

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1. Non-Slip Method #1 – Hot Glue

hot glue as a non-slip method on slippers

What you need:
Hot Glue Gun
Hot Glue Sticks

This method actually works surprisingly well. Hot glue is something most people have on-hand so it is an easy go-to method. It’s has more gripping power that I expected, as it doesn’t feel super grippy to the touch. I tried this method on my Quick and Cozy Slippers and was pleasantly surprised. It’s grippy without being SO grippy that you trip when you walk. However, it dries very hard, and might be uncomfortable to walk on if your slipper soles are only one layer. Also, because it’s a soft plastic, I would guess that it would harden and crack over time and need to be reapplied. 

Pros:
– Inexpensive
– Most will have it on-hand
– Grips without tripping 
– No drying time 
Cons: 
– May be uncomfortable to walk on
– May need to be reapplied over time
– Be careful washing/drying your item, one user has said the dryer will melt the glue.

 

2. Non-Slip Method #2 =  Puffy Paint

puffy paint non-slip crochet slippers

What you need:
Puffy Paint

Puffy paint is another good option that is easy and inexpensive. I put lines of puffy paint on the bottom of my Summer Flip-Flop Slippers.  It has a bit more gripping power than hot glue, but it dries softer, so you wouldn’t have the possible discomfort of walking on hard beads of plastic. The only complaint I have is that you need a day to let the paint dry before you can use your slippers.
I have only been using mine for a few days, so I can’t say for sure, but I have heard people complain that it peels off and needs to be reapplied frequently. I will update this post as I find out more!

Pros: 
-Inexpensive
– Grips without tripping
– Soft to walk on

Cons: 
– Takes several hours to dry 
– May need frequent reapplication 

 

3. Non-Slip Method #3 – Silicone Caulk

silicone as non-slip method on slippers

What you need:
– Rubber Gloves
GE Silicone Caulk

I knew this one would work well! One could say that it works “too well” because the gripping power on these babies is intense. I tried out silicone on my Chunky Boat Shoe Slippers. You might be able to tone down the grippiness by applying the silicone much lighter than I did. However, if you apply it thick, it forms almost like a shoe-sole, so you can wear them outside and give them a bit of light wear. 
You do need to let the silicone dry for 24 hours before using them. 

To apply the silicone, I simply squirted out a generous amount on the bottom of my slippers, and using a gloved hand, spread it around the sole evenly. 
Get this silicone on amazon. 

Pros: 
-Forms a waterproof sole to your slippers 
– Very grippy
Cons: 
– Can be messy to apply
– Can be too grippy and be a tripping hazard

 

4. Non-Slip Method #4 –  Felt Sole

Felt soles as non-slip on slippers
Felt soles and puffy boat as non-slip on slippers

What you need: 
3mm Felt
Leather Punch 
Puffy Paint
Darning Needle 

When I began making this, I didn’t realized the felt, in and of itself, did not make the slippers non-slip. That being said, I still decided to include it because you can use any of the methods here, and make them work better. For instance, using hot glue on a thick, felt sole would alleviate the con of walking on uncomfortable plastic. I made the Crochet Galilee Slippers to test out this method and used a tutorial found at Red Handled Scissors. I really enjoyed making this slippers and will be using this felt method in the future. 
Get the thick felt on Amazon here. I opted to use her exact method so I used Puffy Paint

Pros: 
-professional finishing touch to your crochet slippers
– Comfortable to wear
Cons: 
-isn’t non-slip itself and must combine with another method
– takes more working time that other methods

5. Non-Slip Method #5 –  Shelf Liner

shelf liner as a non-slip method for slippers
shelf liner makes slippers non-slip

What you need:
Leather Hole Punch
Shelf Liner
Darning Needle

This was another method that was surprising! I tested this method using a FREE crochet pattern by Good Knits. The shelf liner is the perfect gripping, and is sewn onto the bottom of the slippers. It’s made to line shelfs on the kitchen, so it’s got a bit of softness to it, which provides added comfort to your finished slippers, especially if they are thin. 
To add shelf liner to your slippers, simply eyeball two ovals (or use the suede template from #7), one for your heel and one for the ball of your foot. Using this leather punch, punch out holes around the pieces. Pin the pieces of shelf liner in place on the slipper and hand-sew them in place with yarn and a darning needle. 

Pros: 
– added comfort to thin slippers
– Can be easily removed

Cons: 
– Need special supplies 
– Extra sewing required

6. Non-Slip Method #6 –  Plasti-Dip

Using Plasti-dip to make slippers non-slip

What you need: 
Plasti-Dip

Plasti-Dip is a specialty air-dry rubber compound that is specifically made to coat objects and make them non-slip. It was an obvious choice to try as a non-slip solution to crochet slippers. I tried this method on my 30 Minute Slippers, and used a tutorial by Tails to Tell Studio. I applied three coats and because my yarn was very fuzzy, I used a popsicle stick to flatten the fuzzy fly-aways. It worked wonderfully! It has THE PERFECT amount of grip, not so much that you trip, but enough that you don’t slip. 

Pros: 
-Perfect amount of grip
– Easy to apply
– remains flexible after drying 

Cons: 
– Specialty Purchase
– May not be able to find the right color
– Need a few hours to apply 3 coats and let them dry. 

7. Non-Slip Method #7 – Suede 

Use leather suede to make crochet slippers non-slip

What you need:
1 Suede Sheet
Leather Hole Punch
Darning Needle 

I loved the idea of putting suede on the soles of slippers ever since I saw this slipper tutorial by Make and Do Crew. And  similarly, I have been meaning to try these cute Fox Slippers by Mamachee for a long time. It was a match made in heaven.

leather suede for making slippers non-slip


I think this leather method ended up being my most favorite method. It’s the perfect amount of grip, it provides a bit a cushioning on the bottom, and it’s the most durable of all the methods. PLUS, the smell of leather reminds me of my dad (that might be a bonus for just for me, though). 

I made up this simply template for you to try. Since leather can be a bit pricy, using two separate pieces lets the leather go farther and you can use one sheet for a few pairs of slippers. 
Download the template here. 

Then, punch holes around the outsides of the pieces.  Pin in place and sew with yarn and a darning needle.


CONCLUSION:( MY FAVORITE NON-SLIP METHOD)

I can honestly say that all these methods work. My least favorites would have to be the silicone. It was quite messy, and it’s grip power was too intense. That beings said, it could definitely be used if it’s all you have on hand. I think a fix could be to use small dots instead of coating the entire bottom as I did.  
Puffy Paint and hot glue were the easiest to apply, but I worry about their longevity. I can’t say from experience, but I have heard in groups that both Puffy Paid and Hot Glue need to be reapplied consistently, so keep that in mind!
Suede, Plasti-Dip and Felt were my top three. 

 

xoxo,

 

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61 Comments

  1. I was wondering if the silicone where it is waterproof would help to make the entire outside of a crocheted baby boots usable for outside wear? Maybe with a sole on of course,yet I wonder,does using the silicone on the boots, would it make the yarn fibers look bad,even if you use a sponge to apply it?

    1. I think it may not look very nice. You can give it a try! But it’s very messy and sticky to apply and I have noticed that my slippers overtime have yellowed, so it hasn’t stayed clear. I am interested to see how it works out for you! It would nice to have the slippers wearable for outside.

      1. (( Silicone glue only idea for now ))
        I dont know for sure but maybe try adding some Mica color powder to make the glue the same color as the yarn ur using? Mist down the yarn with water 1st to flatten the fly away’s and then try the sponge. Personally I would try making maybe 4- 2″ x2″ squares and try the sponge method, dots, it will most likely be stringy, so have an old cereal box or something to catch those strings that u don’t want on ur project lol, then dot. Or shelf liner use a Popsicle stick smear it across the liner only pushing it through the holes, then pull the liner off from the project. Don’t forget water is being misted each time to keep the yarn flattened and neat. It is silicone but it shouldn’t interfere with the drying process.Try mixing a small amount with puff paint, or other glues. Perhaps a ‘couple drops’ of acetone (nail polish remover) could thin it out.
        These are just suggestions . don’t know for sure, just trying to be helpful . God bless.

  2. I like the idea of the suede, but if you sew it on as noted in the picture, doesn’t the yarn it is sewn on with eventually wear out the same as the slippers will if they don’t have something on the bottom? Or do you use something different to sew the suede patches on?

  3. I use “Fiber-Lok NON-SKID RUG BACKING”. You just paint it on with a brush. 2 THIN coats. It dries CLEAR and is machine washable and dryable. I love this stuff. When it is clear, you know it is dry. Takes about 6-12 hrs. It smells yuck but that goes away once it is dry. It works awesome on rugs too.

  4. Thanks for the great info – I’ve been looking for non slip stuff for my slippers I make and I cannot find puffy paint anymore so this gave a lot of options that will work

  5. This was a great post! I like the suede idea best and will probably pair that solution with the fleece liners to make a very comfortable gift. The great thing about both ideas is that they add significant longevity to the slippers. Every pair I’ve made gets worn out too soon in my opinion, although I’ve tried several yarn types.
    Keep up the great blogging!

  6. I had been thinking of ways to make my slippers non-slip. The shelf liner came to mind, as did the non slip webbing that you can put under rugs. Dollar stores tend to sell rolls of them super cheap. After reading this I started wondering if there was a clear Plastic-dip that way it wouldn’t matter what color yarn you used. Sure enough, there is a clear one! So unless you want to do a contrast color, or match it, you can order a clear one on amazon! I think that will be the way I go. I do have a question for it you though. What do you use to line the inside of the slippers so they are soft to walk on? And so the stitches don’t hurt or feel weird when you walk? When I was first learning to crochet I made these super cute mary Jane slippers but I could only wear them for a bit cuz of the weave of the yarn would hurt my feet.

    1. Clear would be fantastic! I couldn’t find clear when I was doing my experiments. I don’t line most of my slippers, I don’t find slippers made with worsted weight yarn to be uncomfortable. However, I did make some chunky slippers with Bernat Blanket, which is very soft and squishy, but the stitches do become bothersome. I lined the insides with two layers of fleece, it’s so comfortable! You can see the post here:
      https://www.whistleandivy.com/quick-cozy-crochet-slippers/

    1. I quick google search says they are both rubber, so they might be comparable products. I haven’t tried flex seal, but it looks like it would work.

  7. This is so helpful, thanks! Making slippers for my mother-in-law, and sure don’t want to be the cause of a fall. I think I’ll go for the leather bottom, it looks so nice :)

  8. Hi! I crocheted flip flops and I used the silicone caulk method. Unfortunately I don’t like the look of it. Is there any way to change it? If I go over it with puffy paint will that be too much?

      1. Thank you for replying! If you washed them once and they didn’t get (bleed) on anything else in the washer with them AND it stayed on, that’s good enough for me.

  9. I use a kind of silicone rubber liquid but it took a while until I learned to coat it well. It is wery durable but the negative is it’s very slippy on wet tiles. So still searching…

  10. What about the little rubber glue dots that are used behind paintings so they don’t mark up walls. The would be sticky. The only down side I can see to those might be that you could feel them through the slipper. I may try the suede idea as I believe all my Christmas gifts this year will be homemade. Great ideas! Thanks….. ~ m

  11. Now you’ve done it!
    Your baby flip flops were the inspiration to start this granny crocheting. I enjoyed it so much compared with knitting useful items.
    My family, however, wasn’t enjoying the finished gifts though, because they slid on every surface at home except carpeting. I stopped crocheting and missed the meditative mood and mindfulness it makes in me.
    With your thoughtful, most complete post though, I believe I am armed to return to the creative, quick and pleasurable patterns that first piqued my interest in crochet!
    Thank you for making the time to share, Beth.
    You and your family are inspirational.
    Ever,
    Mimsy

    1. Yay! Your comment made my day :) So glad you found this useful! I am sorry it took me so long to write this out, seeing as how I have so many slippers and booties! Have a wonderful day!

  12. I bought the non slip material you use to put on carpets, you buy a roll and cut to size of slipper it sews on easily and works like a charm as it is slightly ribbed, live in south Africa so not sure what your alternative would be, use it on all my crochet slippers

  13. I use Plasti Dip on slippers and rugs. I only apply 2 coats, and it’s always worked fine. In fact, the Plasti Dip lasts longer than the slippers! You can find it at Home Depot, though if you want a specific color you might need to order it online. I like the simplicity, just spray it on!