With the spring and summer seasons quickly approaching, it’s time to start planning your next outdoor adventure. But before you go packing up your gear, make sure that you have a clean pair of hiking boots! In this blog post, we’ll show you how to properly care for your beloved footwear so they’ll be ready when the weather turns warm. Follow these simple steps and soon enough those boots will be looking as good as new
Table of Contents
How Often Should I Wash My Hiking Boots?
If you’re wondering how often to clean and wash your hiking boots, we recommend giving them a good scrub every three months. Just like any other piece of clothing in your wardrobe, it’s important to give them an overhaul about once every season so they don’t become smelly or damaged from overuse. Be sure to check whether the manufacturer recommends a special type of cleaner as well, as this will affect your washing routine.
When Should I Clean my Hiking Shoes?
If you love to go hiking on a regular basis, we recommend giving your boots an extra clean before and after each trip. This will help remove any dirt and grime so they stay looking their best for the next hike! When it comes time to wash them, be sure that you’re doing it shortly before or after taking part in outdoor sports. This way, you can be sure that they’re completely dry before packing them away.
Materials Needed to Clean your Hiking Shoes
Before you get started, make sure that you have everything on hand. These include:
- Toothbrush or scrubbing brush
- Towel
- Natural soap or specialized cleaner(as recommended by the manufacturer)
- Cloth or towel for drying.
- shoe polish for leather boots (optional)
Now that you have all the materials on hand it’s time to get started with a step-by-step guide for cleaning and washing your hiking boots.
How to Wash Your Hiking Boots
To start with, we recommend removing any laces and foot inserts that might be attached to your hiking boots. If you can’t remove these pieces for some reason, simply skip this step and clean them as usual.
Step One: Brush Off the Dirt and Grime
Start by removing any dirt or debris that has accumulated on top of the boot with a toothbrush, dish soap, warm water, and a cloth. This will help remove any unwanted particles so you can get to work without worrying about those annoying stains marring the surface.
Step Two: Use a Mild Cleaning Solution
Next, mix a small amount of mild soap with warm water. Be sure to use good-quality liquid soap without any harsh chemicals or additives that can damage the material over time.
Step Three: Clean the Boot
With your cleaning solution, gently scrub any dirt or grime that has accumulated on top of the boot. Try to focus on tough stains and areas with a lot of wear and tear as these are where dirt tends to accumulate over time.
Step Four: Rinse
Once you have finished, remove any excess soap from the surface of the boot with warm water. Be sure that there are no suds left behind as this will leave an unwanted residue.
Step Five: Dry the Boot
Now that you have cleaned your hiking boots, it’s time to dry them off. If you are in a hurry, simply use a towel to absorb moisture from the surface of the boot. For best results, however, place them near a window or heater so they can dry naturally.
Step Six: Polish Your Boots (Optional)
If you want to add a nice shine and keep the leather in good condition, we recommend applying some shoe polish to the surface of your boots after cleaning them. Be sure that you’re using high-quality products designed for use on different types of material like leather.
Step Seven: Store the Boots
After cleaning your boots, you can return them to a cupboard or wardrobe for safekeeping until they’re needed again. If you need to store them for an extended period of time it’s best to place them in a protective bag that will keep away moisture and dust from damaging the surface of the boot.
What to Avoid When Cleaning Your Boots
While following a cleaning guide will help ensure that your boots stay in good condition, there are some things to avoid when washing them.
- Do not use harsh chemicals or any type of detergent that can strip the material and leave it looking dull.
- Do not use bleach as this will damage the leather over time.
- Do not use hot water as this can damage the material and make it more likely to shrink.
- Do not scrub too hard as this can damage the seams and fibers.
FAQ
Q. How often should you clean your boots?
A. Depending on how much time they are worn, it’s best to wash them every couple of months or so if possible. This will help keep dirt and debris from building up over time which can make stains more difficult to remove in the future.
Q: Can I use dish soap when washing my boots?
A. Dish soap is designed to remove tough stains from dishes so it’s best not to use this on your hiking boots as these can damage the material over time. Instead, opt for a mild liquid soap that won’t strip away any of the natural oils in the leather and will keep them looking great for years without needing regular cleaning.
Q: What type of cloth should I use when cleaning my boots?
A. When it comes to scrubbing dirt and debris from the surface, a soft-bristled toothbrush or dish sponge will do just fine. However, when trying to remove tough stains that have built up over time, we recommend using an old cotton towel. This will help you get into the fibers more easily and remove any staining that might have occurred.
Q: What can I use to give my boots a nice shine?
A. If your hiking boots are looking dull, there’s no need to buy an expensive leather conditioner or shoe polish – simply dab some petroleum jelly onto a soft cloth and gently rub the surface of your boots to give them a nice shine.
Q: How do I clean my boots if they get wet?
A. If you accidentally step in water or heavy rain while wearing your work boots, we recommend using an absorbent towel to remove excess moisture from the material before allowing it to dry naturally. You can also use a hairdryer to speed up the process.
Q: What do I do if my boots become stained?
A. If you have a stubborn stain on your boot that won’t come off with regular washing, we recommend using some baking soda and water to create a thick paste that can be applied directly onto the area for a few hours. After this has dried, we recommend using a soft cloth to remove the paste and scrub away any remaining staining before following up with some gentle soap and water.
