Cleaning hiking boots or trekking shoes might seem pointless. After all, we'll just wear them again through dirt, mud, and rain. So why not just throw them in the closet? The answer is simple. Because if we don't take proper care of our hiking footwear, we'll shorten its lifespan.
Risks of not cleaning hiking boots or shoes
- Every time we leave our boots covered in sand and put them on without cleaning them, they get damaged. The tiny grains of sand that stick to them cause a Sandpaper effect . When we take a step, the material of our boots has to flex. If there are particles of sand, this grit rubs against the fabric or leather surface, potentially damaging it.
- You may have used a clay mask before, or perhaps you've seen someone else using one. The purpose of using mud on the skin is based on its ability to remove excess oil and impurities. This effect can be beneficial for some skin types that produce excess sebum, but this isn't the case with our boots. If we leave mud on our leather boots, the leather will... The cover will dry out . It will become more rigid and age faster.
- The materials used to make the soles of hiking boots make them less susceptible to dirt. However, dirty soles limit the traction of our boots or shoes. increasing falls and slips.
Materials needed to clean hiking boots
To clean hiking boots, we will need a series of tools that we usually have at home:
- A nail brush or a boot cleaning brush (with stiff bristles).
- An old toothbrush (you can do without it if the space between the lugs on the sole is wide).
- Slightly dampened cloth.
- Soapy water. Use a neutral soap. Do not use laundry detergent or harsh soaps. There are also specific soaps available on the market.
- Tub or container in which to place the soapy water and on which we will clean the boots.
- Newspaper or absorbent paper.
Preliminary steps for cleaning hiking boots
- Check the material of your Oriocx trekking and hiking boots or shoes. If they are made of leather or textile, you will need to use cleaning products specifically designed for those materials.
- We remove the insoles and laces.
- We scrubbed the entire upper of the hiking boot with the dry brush, trying to remove as much of the dried dirt as possible. Then we scrubbed the sole as well. Finally, we cleaned the brush to prepare it for the next step.
- With the damp cloth, we wipe the inside of the boot, removing any dust particles that may have gotten in during the walk.
Cleaning the insoles and laces
- We wet the brush in soapy water and place the insoles and the laces on a smooth, resistant surface Rub them vigorously . Note: The laces can be cleaned in the same way as the insoles.
- Once rubbed, We rinse them with warm water enough to remove any trace of soap.
- We tend to dry Store the insoles and laces in a ventilated place and away from a direct heat source.
Cleaning the cover and the sole
- We wet the brush in soapy water and run First, moisten the brush and cover the entire surface. of the boots (outer part excluding the sole). It is important to rub evenly so that no stains remain later. Rub more vigorously in areas where there may be more residue.
- Note: If the boots have mold, we should rub them with a solution of water (80%) and white vinegar (20%).
- We repeat the process on the sole with the soapy brush. We can also use the toothbrush to remove any dirt that may have gotten stuck between the cleats of the boots.
- We clarify Clean the cover and sole using a cloth with warm water, until we are sure that we have removed any traces of soap and dirt.
- Note: Before proceeding with the drying process, we must assess whether our boots need waterproofing, as this treatment requires the boots to be wet. See the next section to find out.
We dried our hiking boots
- We let it dry Store your boots in a warm, well-ventilated, and dry place. It's very important not to dry them near radiators, fires, or in direct sunlight. Exposure to these direct heat sources dries out the material of your hiking boots, weakening them, making them brittle, and shortening their lifespan.
- Inside the boots We insert newspaper , which we should replace as it absorbs moisture. Once they are completely dry, we can also leave them covered with dry newspaper to prevent moisture buildup while they are stored.
- It is not advisable to store boots in attics, lofts, garages, or trunks. This is important. Store your trekking boots in a dry, well-ventilated place to prevent mold. But at the same time, it shouldn't be too warm or have excessive temperature fluctuations.
Should I waterproof my hiking boots or trekking shoes?
Once you have completed the previous steps to clean your hiking boots, you have two options. You can either dry the boots or waterproof them first.
If our hiking boots or shoes are made of water-repellent materials, we should consider this. Re-waterproofing the boot prevents rainwater from penetrating, causing it to bead up and roll off the surface.
How do I waterproof my hiking boots or mountain shoes?
Many Waterproofing products for sneakers and hiking boots They should be applied to the outside of the boot while it is wet. However, there are some exceptions, such as sprays that are applied to dry boots. In all other cases, the waterproofing is applied... over wet boots .
The first thing is to have followed the Follow the steps described above to clean your hiking boots. Once clean, but not dry, apply the waterproof boot protector.
Years ago, many of these waterproofing products were wax-based, which could make them difficult to apply. Nowadays, they are usually made of [materials/plastics]. It comes in aerosol or sponge form , making it very easy to apply. It usually involves applying a film over the boots that doesn't need to be removed.
Conclusion
When we get back from a long hike, we don't usually feel like cleaning our hiking boots. We don't have to do it that same day, but It's best not to wait too long . As we've seen, we only need some soapy water, a nail brush, and a few other household items. It might seem like a very homemade way to clean hiking boots, but it's truly effective . And most importantly, it will allow us Enjoy our travel companion for many years.