Cleaning winter shoes is crucial to prolong their lifespan, maintain their aesthetic appearance, and ensure they provide adequate protection against harsh weather conditions. Regular cleaning also prevents the buildup of salt and moisture, which can damage the material and compromise foot health.
Guide to Clean Different Types of Winter Boots
Leather
Supplies Required
- Soft cloth or rag
- Leather cleaner or mild soap solution
- Soft-bristled brush
- Leather conditioner
- Waterproofing spray (optional)
Instructions
Remove Loose Dirt and Debris
Begin by gently brushing off loose dirt, salt, or debris from the boots using a soft-bristled brush. This ensures the surface is ready for cleaning.
Wipe Down with a Damp Cloth
Dampen the soft cloth or rag slightly and gently wipe down the entire surface of the boots. This will help remove light stains and prepare them for a deeper clean.
Apply Leather Cleaner or Mild Soap Solution
Pour a small amount of leather cleaner or mild soap solution onto the cloth. Gently rub it onto the boots in a circular motion, ensuring you don’t oversaturate the leather. Proper cleaning will not only maintain the appearance of your clean leather winter boots but also prolong their life.
Wipe Off Excess Cleaner and Let Dry
After applying the cleaner, use a clean cloth to wipe away any excess product. Allow the boots to air dry naturally, away from direct heat sources to avoid warping or cracking the leather.
Condition the Leather
Once the boots are dry, apply a leather conditioner. This will nourish the leather, keeping it soft and preventing it from becoming brittle. This step is vital to maintain the suppleness and strength of clean leather winter boots.
Waterproof (Optional)
For added protection against moisture and snow, consider applying a waterproofing spray. This creates a barrier that repels water, ensuring your boots remain dry and comfortable in wet conditions.
Suede & Faux Suede
Supplies Required
- Suede brush or a soft-bristled brush
- Suede cleaner or mild soap solution (for faux suede)
- Soft cloth or rag
- White eraser or suede erasing block
- Suede protector spray or waterproofing spray
- Microfiber towel (for faux suede)
Instructions
Remove Loose Dirt and Debris
Using a suede brush or soft-bristled brush, gently brush off any loose dirt or debris from the boots. Ensure you brush in the direction of the nap to avoid damaging the material.
Address Stains or Marks
For genuine suede, use a white eraser or suede erasing block to gently rub away any stains, spots, or scuffs. For faux suede, a mixture of mild soap and water on a cloth can be used to blot away stains. Avoid rubbing too hard.
Clean with Suede Cleaner or Mild Soap Solution (for faux suede)
For genuine suede, apply a suede cleaner by following the product’s instructions, typically by spraying or applying to a cloth and dabbing onto the boot. For faux suede, you can use a mild soap solution. Gently dab the solution onto the boot with a cloth, avoiding oversaturation.
Wipe Off Excess Cleaner and Let Dry
Use a clean cloth to blot away any excess product. Allow the boots to air dry naturally, keeping them away from direct heat sources. For faux suede, a microfiber towel can be used to pat dry.
Brush to Restore Nap
Once your suede or faux suede winter boots are dry, use the suede brush to gently brush the surface. This helps restore the nap and gives the boots their soft, velvety texture.
Protect with a Spray
For both suede and faux suede, it’s essential to apply a protector spray. This will shield the boots from moisture and potential staining, ensuring they remain in good condition throughout the winter season.
Synthetic Upper Winter Boots
Supplies Required
- Soft cloth or rag
- Mild soap solution or specialized synthetic cleaner
- Soft-bristled brush
- Water repellent spray (optional)
- Towel for drying
Instructions
Remove Loose Dirt and Debris
Before applying any liquid, gently brush off loose dirt or debris from the boots using a soft-bristled brush. This ensures the surface is ready for cleaning.
Prepare a Mild Soap Solution
Mix a few drops of gentle soap with warm water in a bowl or basin. This solution will help to break down and remove dirt and stains from the synthetic upper.
Clean with Soap Solution or Synthetic Cleaner
Dampen the soft cloth or rag slightly with the soap solution. Gently scrub the boot’s surface, focusing on stained or particularly dirty areas. Follow the product’s instructions if you’re using a specialized synthetic cleaner.
Wipe with Clean Water
After cleaning, it’s essential to remove any soap residue. Wipe down the boots using a different cloth dampened with clean water to rinse off the soap or cleaner.
Towel Dry and Air Dry
Pat the boots dry with a towel to remove excess water. Then, let them air dry naturally, away from direct heat sources. Direct heat can damage the synthetic materials, causing them to warp or crack.
Apply Water Repellent Spray (Optional)
Consider applying a water repellent spray suitable for synthetic materials to provide an extra layer of protection against wet winter conditions. This will help keep the boots dry during snowy or rainy days.
Rubber Boots
Supplies Required
- Soft cloth or rag
- Mild soap solution
- Soft-bristled brush or sponge
- Water
- Silicone-based spray or rubber conditioner (optional)
- Towel for drying
Instructions
Remove Loose Dirt and Debris
Begin by brushing off loose dirt or debris from the boots using a soft-bristled brush or your hands. This pre-cleaning step ensures a more effective and thorough cleaning process.
Prepare a Mild Soap Solution
Mix a few drops of gentle dish soap with warm water in a basin or bucket. This solution will effectively cleanse rubber without causing damage.
Scrub the Boots
Dip the sponge or soft-bristled brush into the soap solution and scrub the surface of the rubber boots, paying extra attention to stained or muddy areas. The soap solution will help break down grime and refresh the rubber’s appearance.
Rinse Thoroughly
Using clean water, rinse off all the soap from the boots. Ensure no soap residue remains, which can leave a film on the rubber and affect its appearance.
Towel Dry
After rinsing, pat the boots dry with a towel. This will remove excess water and speed up the drying process.
Air Dry
Let the boots air dry naturally in a well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Direct sunlight can fade the color of the rubber, and excessive heat can cause the rubber to become brittle.
Condition or Protect (Optional)
If desired, apply a silicone-based spray or rubber conditioner to the boots once they’re dry. This will help maintain the rubber’s flexibility, luster, and longevity.
Rain Boots
Materials Required
- Soft cloth or rag
- Mild soap solution
- Soft-bristled brush or sponge
- Water
- Protective spray or boot shiner (optional for maintaining appearance)
- Towel for drying
Instructions
Remove Loose Dirt and Debris
Before cleaning, brush off any loose dirt, mud, or debris from the boots using your hands or a soft-bristled brush. This helps to prevent unnecessary scratches or damage during washing.
Prepare a Mild Soap Solution
Combine a few drops of gentle dish soap or detergent in a bucket or basin with warm water. This diluted solution will effectively clean the boots without being too harsh on their material.
Scrub the Boots
Immerse the sponge or soft-bristled brush into the soap solution and gently scrub the surface of the rain boots. Focus on areas with visible stains or marks, ensuring you cover the entire boot for an even clean.
Rinse with Clean Water
After scrubbing, rinse the boots thoroughly with clean water to wash away any soap residues. Ensure that no soapy film remains on the boots, as this can affect their appearance and feel.
Towel Dry
Use a towel to pat down the boots, removing excess water from their surface. This step helps speed up the drying process and prevents water spots from forming.
Air Dry
Place the boots in a well-ventilated area to air dry naturally. Avoid direct sunlight or heat sources, as these can distort the shape or fade the color of the boots.
Apply Protective Spray or Shine (Optional)
For added protection and to enhance the appearance of your rain boots, consider applying a protective spray or boot shiner suitable for the boot material. This step helps to repel water and maintain the boots’ shine and luster.
Related Guide: How to clean Muck boots?
How to Clean Winter Boots from Inside?
- Remove Insoles (If Possible): Take out the insoles from the boots to clean them separately and allow for thorough drying.
- Vacuum the Inside: Using a vacuum’s nozzle attachment, suck out dirt, debris, or loose particles from the inside of the boots.
- Prepare a Mild Cleaning Solution: Mix a few drops of gentle soap with warm water, ensuring it’s diluted enough to be gentle on the interior fabric.
- Wipe the Interior: Dampen a soft cloth with the cleaning solution and gently wipe the inside of the boots, focusing on areas that feel or look dirty.
- Rinse with a Damp Cloth: Use a clean cloth dampened with plain water to wipe away any soap residues from the interior.
- Combat Odors with Baking Soda: If your boots have an unpleasant smell, sprinkle baking soda inside and let it sit overnight. The baking soda will absorb odors. Vacuum or shake out the excess the next day.
- Air Dry: Let the boots air dry in a well-ventilated area, ensuring they are completely dry before wearing to prevent mold or mildew growth.
- Replace Insoles: Once everything is dry, reinsert the insoles, ensuring they’re properly positioned.
Remove Smell from Winter Boots
Preparation: Ensure the inside of the boots is dry, as moisture can hinder the effectiveness of baking soda.
Apply Baking Soda: Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda inside each boot, ensuring even coverage, as baking soda is excellent for absorbing odors.
Let Sit Overnight: Allow the baking soda to sit inside the boots overnight, giving ample time to neutralize and absorb the unpleasant smells.
Vacuum or Shake Out: In the morning, either vacuum the inside of the boots to remove the baking soda or turn them upside down and shake out the excess.
Air Out: Place the boots in a well-ventilated area for a few hours to allow any remaining odors to dissipate. This will effectively remove smells from your winter boots.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you put winter boots in the washing machine?
No, it’s generally not recommended to put winter boots in the washing machine. The agitation and water immersion can damage the boots’ structure, material, and insulation. Instead, hand-cleaning is preferred to maintain their integrity and longevity.
How do you store winter boots?
Store winter boots in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Ensure they are clean and completely dry before storing. It’s beneficial to stuff them with newspaper or boot shapers to retain their shape. Using a boot rack or hanging them can also prevent creases and deformations.
How to remove scuff marks from winter shoes?
To remove scuff marks from winter shoes, use a mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar. Dampen a soft cloth with the solution and gently rub the scuff marks until they fade away. Afterwards, wipe the area with a clean, damp cloth and let the shoe air dry.
How to remove salt stains from winter shoes?
Mix equal parts of water and white vinegar. Dampen a cloth with this solution and gently rub the salt-stained areas. The vinegar will help dissolve the salt residues. After cleaning, wipe the shoes with a clean, damp cloth and allow them to air dry.
How do you quickly dry winter boots between each use?
Remove the insoles to quickly dry winter boots and stuff the boots with newspaper or paper towels to absorb the moisture. Place them in a well-ventilated area, but avoid direct heat sources like heaters or blow dryers, as they can damage the material. Rotating the newspaper or paper towels can speed up the drying process.