Wondering about how to clean waterproof boots? If Yes, then you are in a right place!
Hiking is something that you once get into; it is impossible for you to abandon. If you are one of those people who fancy visiting various hiking spots, then you must have walked through different places, no matter they are muddy, wet, dry, or sandy.
Hiking creates in people a great love for nature; it makes them healthy, fit, and young. As it is said, actually well said, We don’t stop hiking because we grow old; we grow old because we stop hiking.
If you want to know how to clean waterproof boots, then you are at the right place. This article will get to know the most convenient and accessible ways to clean waterproof boots.
How to Clean Waterproof Boots – 3 Step Process
Cleaning your hiking shoes is just a three-step method:
1. Washing
For washing, you first need to take off the laces and remove the insole if possible; it will let the boots dry swiftly.
If you want to wash only the outside of your boots, do not submerge the boots entirely into the water, which contains cleansing liquid. If you want to clean the inside as well, submerge it in the water without hesitation.
2. Drying
The second step is drying. Use a cloth that will absorb water from the boots, and then place the boots inverted over a cloth and let the boots dry naturally.
3. Reapplying
Now you need to check if the DWR (durable water repellent) is present on the outer layer or not. Do it by dropping a few drops of water on the fabric at some angle. If the fabric soaks water, then you need to reapply the DWR.
The durability of waterproof boots depends upon the DWR used in them. If you want to know how to clean waterproof boots made of different fabrics, here are some recommendations.
How to Clean Waterproof Leather Boots
Cleaning leather boots is not very difficult as it seems. Let me tell you the easiest way to clean your boots.
The first thing you need to do, not just in leather boots, but in all the boots before cleaning, is to take the laces out. Doing this will aid the boots dry quicker. Brush off the boots to get rid of any dirt and dried mud. Now damp the boots a little.
Then, you’re going to need a cleaning gel. You can use any type of cleaning gel, like Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel or Revivex Leather Water Repellent.
These cleaning gels not only clean the boots but also make them water repellent and durable. Now very gently apply the gel on the boots; you can go in a circular motion and don’t forget to shake the gel properly before using it.
Then put the boots under tap water and start cleaning them with any brush. You can use either your old toothbrush or a big brush. But try to brush up gently. Remove all the dirt and mud, and then wash the boots properly to take off the gel as well.
In the end, just put them inverted to drain water out of them.
How to Clean Gore-Tex Boots
Gore-tex boots are way too easier to clean. Since their waterproofing ability is 100% guaranteed, there is no need to waterproof them further.
You just need to wash them. The waterproof gore-tex membrane inside your boots needs no maintenance, and the cleaning products do not damage them in any way.
The gore-tex membrane does not puncture and remains completely waterproof. The way of its cleaning is the same as others. Take off the laces first.
Then, you need to damp the boots a little before applying the cleaning gel. Very gently, in a circular motion, apply the gel with a sponge. Then put them under the water, use a brush to remove any type of dirt and mud.
As for the brush, you can use your old toothbrush or a big brush for cleaning. Do not apply so much forced brushing. Gently sweep the mud away. Hence you’re going to make sure that all the mud, along with the cleaning gel, eradicates from the boots.
In the end, use a cloth to drain the water out of the boots. Then leave them inverted on the cloth or floor so that they can dry. Furthermore, you do not need to do any type of waterproofing because it’s just going to hinder the boots’ breathability.
Stay away from oily and greasy products like leather oils or creams because they’re just going to inhibit the boots’ breathability.
Cleaning Inside of Walking Boots
For cleaning the walking boots from inside, you’re just going to need water in a bowl, like a big bowl in which your boots can easily go in and out.
In the bowl of water, you’re going to put the cleansing liquid, like Nikwax Tech Wash, in it and mix it with water. The Nikwax Tech Wash is basically used for cleaning waterproof jackets and clothing, but there is no harm in applying them on boots.
You’re always going to take off the laces before cleaning the boots. But as you are cleaning the inside of the boots as well, try to take out the insole, if possible.
Now rinse the boots with Nikwax Tech Wash mixed in water. Take a sponge or soft brush; a toothbrush can work, and gently remove the dirt from the outside. As for the inside, just completely submerge the boots in the water bowl and gently, with your hands, rub the inside of your boots.
Then, just rinse them with clear water to remove the liquid cleanser as well. Now put the boots to dry out naturally. However, do not put the boots near a radiator or heater. Let them dry naturally.
How to Clean Smelly Hiking Boots
Stinky and smelly boots are really causing trouble for most of us. And it’s pretty natural. Everybody gets sweaty feet.
First, if you want to prevent your boots from skinking, you need to make sure that your feet are immaculate before you wear the shoes. Trust me; clean feet is the key. Secondly, you should wear socks made of wool and polyester.
As for cleaning your boots to get rid of the smell, you need to use something that lasts longer.
However, some people may use baking powder and corn starch, no matter they prevent your boots from stinking, but you will notice that your boots are giving the same smell again after about 8-10 hours of wearing them.
You need a long-lasting solution, and for this, nothing is better than just washing your boots from inside. Washing is not that difficult as it seems.
You just need to take the insoles out and wash them with a liquid cleanser. You can also wash the inside of your boots after taking off the laces.
If you are searching for how to clean waterproof boots from inside to remove the unpleasant smell, use alcohol or some other disinfectant for washing the insoles because alcohol and disinfectants kill the bacteria that make your boots stinky.
Furthermore, after washing the boots, you can put a newspaper in them so that they can pull out the moisture. After this, it’s better to let them dry naturally instead of putting them in front of a heater or radiator.
Can You Put Hiking Boots in the Washing Machine
Washing your boots in a washing machine is not a good idea. Like hiking backpacks, It is not recommended because it can damage your boots.
In addition to this, the detergents and soaps contain some additives that may prove harmful to the boots. It is often asked how to clean waterproof boots in a washing machine. However, most people do not suggest cleaning boots in a washing machine.
But if you must wash them in a washing machine, try and use the front-loading machine if possible, because if you wash them in the top-loading machine, the agitations in them might completely damage your boots.
For this purpose, you need to take off the laces and sweep all the dry mud and dirt off the boots before putting them in the washing machine.
Once you have removed the outer dirt, put your boots in a laundry bag, a pillowcase can also work, and then put them in the washing machine; you can put some towels along with the boots to provide them protection and help balance the boots.
Add four tablespoons of the detergent and set the machine for as gentle cycles as possible. Check your boots after an hour, and they will be all clean. Do not put the boots in the dryer; always let them air dry naturally.
How to Clean Walking Boots
Walking boots are very easy to clean, no matter if they are hiking boots or regular sneakers, or trainers, the way of washing the boots is the same.
It is a very frequently asked question that how to clean waterproof boots. Well, have a look at the following method, and you won’t have to ask the question again.
It is quite simple to wash your boots; you need to keep this in mind while washing any kind of boots that take off the laces. In addition to this, you can remove the insoles also, if possible. Then damp the boots a little.
Now you’re going to need a cleaning gel, like Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel or Revivex Leather Water Repellent. Shake the gel properly before using it. Now start applying the gel very gently on the boots in a circular motion.
Then, put the boots under tap water and start cleaning them. Use a brush to remove the dirt. An old toothbrush will go for this purpose.
After removing all the dirt and mud, put the boots to dry naturally. Do not place them in front of a stove, heater, or radiator. Let them dry naturally.
However, you can use a cloth or newspaper to pull the moisture out.
How to Clean Columbia Boots
Columbia boots are the same as any other waterproof boots, and the way of cleaning them is the same too. For Columbia boots, no detergents are recommended to use as the detergents can damage their waterproofing ability and make them less durable.
The best way of cleaning the Columbia boots is by washing them with cleansing gel. For this purpose, take off the laces. You can remove the insoles also if possible. Then remove the outer dirt and mud. Damp the boots a little.
Apply very gently in circular motions, the cleaning gels like Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel or Revivex Leather Water Repellent.
Don’t forget to shake the gel before using it. After this, put the boots under tap water and brush off the dirt from them. You can use either your old toothbrush or any other brush.
Once you have eradicated the dirt, now place the boots to dry naturally. Never place the boots in front of a radiator or stove, or heater. Let the boots dry naturally.
You can place a newspaper or cloth in the boots to pull out the moisture. However, better if you let them dry naturally.
Final Thoughts
The people who fancy hiking and love to explore do know the problems and troubles of cleaning the boots. And for these people, hiking boots are the ultimate companions.
So you just do not wear the boots and explore the world but also clean the muddy and dirty boots.
Most people find it inconvenient and very difficult to wash their boots, though it is not that hard. You just need a few tips and suggestions for how to clean boots.
After reading the above article, most of your queries and troubles must have fled away, and you would have a convenient answer to the question, how to clean waterproof boots.
Hiking does not only make one explore but also keeps him young and fit. Hiking lovers, no matter at what age they are, are bound to go out and explore, so if you are one of those people then, you must know how to clean waterproof boots.
Adventure awaits us during our journey to explore new things. But for now, hikers, Hasta luego!
