How to Clean Your Hiking Boots at Home! #StayHome, by REI on YouTube. 2 min 48 s.
- Video length
- 2 min 48 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Knock the boots together or tap them over a bin to loosen caked mud. Do this before you wet anything so the mud does not turn into paste.
Pull out the laces and insoles. Set them aside to wash separately with mild soap and warm water, then rinse well.
Brush off loose dirt with a dry boot brush. Work from the top down and pay attention to the seams and welt.
Mix a small amount of boot cleaning gel or mild soap with warm water. Follow the product label for the correct amount.
Dip the brush in the solution and scrub the uppers in small circles. Clean one section at a time and avoid soaking the leather.
Wipe away suds with a clean damp cloth. Rinse the cloth often so dirt does not get spread back onto the boots.
Use the brush or a soft cloth to clean the tread and sides of the sole. Dig out packed mud from the lugs with a dull tool if needed.
Let the boots air dry at room temperature, away from radiators, sun and heat. Stuff them with newspaper to hold their shape.
Apply leather conditioner once the boots are dry. Use a small amount, rub it into the leather and buff off any excess.
Put the clean insoles and laces back in once everything is fully dry. Lace the boots as you normally would.
Tips and common mistakes
Never put hiking boots in a washing machine or dryer; heat can warp the sole and crack leather.
Use a soft brush on suede or nubuck and a stiffer brush on smooth leather and soles.
Clean mud off soon after a hike; dried mud pulls moisture out of leather and wears seams.
Questions
Can I use dish soap to clean hiking boots?
A small amount of mild dish soap works for many boots, but use a dedicated boot cleaner on leather and test a hidden area first.
How long should hiking boots take to dry?
Most take 12 to 24 hours at room temperature. Never speed it up with a hairdryer or radiator.
Do I need to condition leather boots every time?
No. Condition when the leather looks dry or after a wet, muddy hike, usually a few times a season.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
