How to clean work boots that get extremely dirty and smelly too!
Your work boots will become caked with dirt and grease after a period of use. It can’t be avoided. To be honest, I used to wait until the last minute to clean my husband’s work boots.
Cleaning my husband’s work boots on a regular basis has drastically transformed his experience with them and has extended the life of the boots.
My husband has been wearing work boots for 20 years and I’ve learned how to wash them quickly and effectively. To begin, wash the footbed separately and use a cleaning solution to cleanse the interior. Then, using a leather cleaner and a toothbrush or soft brush, clean the outside of the boots. After that, remove all of the lather from the boots and let them air dry. Spraying a shoe deodorant and applying powder are optional actions.
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How To Clean Dry Sludge From Work Boots
It’s a good idea to allow your work boots to completely dry if they become muddy. This is due to the fact that dried mud is relatively easy to remove off leather work boots.
Once they’ve dried, simply knock them against each other to remove the muck. Mud, on the other hand, might be highly sticky if you have suede boots. The cleaning process might be a little tougher if the boots are really muddy.
Getting the mud off the outsoles, on the other hand, will take more time and effort because it tends to compress with time. To put it another way, work boots’ outsoles frequently contain treads, and some even have deep treads. And, because it will bear your weight, mud will adhere to the soles more deeply, making it more difficult to remove.
There are several methods for removing dirt from the soles. You may use some common household items like a short stick or a blunt screwdriver. Unlike the leather upper, you soak the soles in a small pot and let the mud soak, and it will fall out of the grooves on its own.
How To Clean The Soles Of Your Boots
Synthetic and rubber soles are the two most prevalent types of work boot soles. Both varieties may be cleaned with warm water and regular kitchen soap, you do not need saddle soap.
If you want to make sure your soles are completely dirt-free, clean them with an extra-hard brush. You should also clean the spaces between the treads to ensure that no gravel, loose dirt or tiny stones are caught there, and this can take a long time but it is an effective way.
After you’ve finished washing with mild soap the soles, let them air dry. This method may take a little longer, but you should not dry them with a hair dryer or heat since high temperatures can cause warping.
How To Clean Water Stains From Work Boots
Spills are one of the most common issues you’ll encounter on the job. And in this situation, the first victim will be your work boots. As a result, you’ll need to learn how to remove stains off your work boots as well.
Remember what I said in the second stage about the goods I mentioned? It’s time to put them to work. To remove huge black stains, you’ll need lemon and tartar cream. Simply apply the blend to the stain, wait a few minutes, and then rinse it away.
If the stain is still tenacious, rubbing alcohol can be used to remove it. Simply pour a tiny amount of the alcohol into a dry soft cloth and dab the stubborn spots with it in a circular motion. If you don’t have any rubbing alcohol on your hand, white vinegar will suffice.
If the stains are minor, you can remove them using water rather than vinegar or rubbing alcohol. If they’re only water stains, they’ll be gone in no time. you can clean the inside of your boots the same way.
How To Clean Grease And Oil Stains From Work Boots
If you work in a car or motorcycle garage, you’ll need to know how to clean your work boots or at least have some advice on how to remove oil and grease stains. It is not at all difficult. All you need is a little bit of time.
You’ll need some absorbent powder, such as talcum. Allow this powder to settle for a few hours on the grease and oil discoloration locations. After that, remove the powder with a delicate brush. You’ll see that the stain is already gone.
Household Items That Can Help You Clean Your Work Boots
Simply use one of these treatments for your work boots, and they will become cleaner and last longer. Let’s get started.
Dish Soap
You can clean your leather work boots with dish soap on a regular basis without risking harm. This is due to the fact that leather is less susceptible to water than other materials used in work boots. As a result, you may clean your beloved work boots with a mix of water and dish soap.
Dish washing solution may not be able to remove the persistent filth that has developed on the boots over time. As a result, before using the dish washing solution, make sure you wipe away any dirt on your shoes with a dry cloth. Remove the shoelaces and set them aside before moving on to the next step.
Wipe the external surfaces of the boots with a clean wet cloth dipped in the dish soap solution. After that, wash the soap residue off the work boots with another wet towel. To dry all of the boots, grab some paper towels or a dry clean towel.
Olive Oil
Olive oil, in my opinion, is constantly present in every kitchen. That’s why it’s one of my favorite leather work boot cleaning ideas. Although you may not enjoy olive oil in your meal, it is an efficient cleaning agent for leather. Many individuals believe that olive oil polishes better than high-quality leather conditioners found in shoe stores.
The method is also quite straightforward. Simply pour some virgin olive oil onto a paper towel and immediately begin cleaning your leather work boots. To finish the work, you’ll need a little patience. Rub the leather surface evenly until it absorbs all of the olive oil.
Baking Soda
Cleaning your boots with a soap solution is a simple and effective approach to removing grime and mud. If there are oil stains on the surface, however, this mixture may not be sufficient. But don’t be concerned. Baking soda, clean water, and a towel are all you need.
Sprinkle the baking soda powder over the oil streaks once you’ve gathered everything. After that, wet the towel in plain water and gently rub the spots with it. Remember to massage your boots gently; else, you may wind up harming your expensive leather work boots.
After you’ve finished, leave the baking soda on the oil stains in your work boots overnight. The grunge will be absorbed by the soda mix in this manner. The next morning, wipe it away with a dry towel, and your work boots will seem as new and clean as they did when you first bought them.
Vinegar
One of the most difficult stains to remove from your leather work boots is salt. But it doesn’t imply there isn’t a solution to deal with it; I’ve discovered that vinegar works just well.
To begin, dissolve a teaspoon of vinegar in a cup of water. Then soak a paper towel in the liquid and dab the moist cloth over the salt stains. After that, wipe the wetness away using a dry paper towel. However, remember to dilute the vinegar with water before using it.
Vaseline / Toothpaste
Scuff marks and scratches are another annoyance when owning a pair of leather work boots. And all of these scrapes make your boots appear ancient, even though they are brand new. But don’t fret; you won’t even need a lot of cleaning goods to get rid of those nasty scratches.
Toothpaste or vaseline are excellent options for dealing with this issue. Simply apply some to the scrapes on the work boots with any of them. After that, evenly distribute the paste in the markings. Paper towels, in my experience, work well for this task. They may be used to clean the scratches from your leather boots.
Conditioner
Why not do the same with your leather work boots if you spend so much time and effort on your hair? Hair conditioners, in fact, are an excellent method to care for leather shoes. In addition to being a good moisturizer, they frequently offer waxing capabilities. It will ensure that your work boots remain in good shape, and you may even feel like you have new boots when you’re done cleaning – those are the best results.
Simply dab a small amount of hair conditioner onto the leather and polish it with a clean piece of cloth. You also don’t need to use expensive conditioners or waterproofing agent. Cheap conditioners, in my experience, can get the job done just fine. In fact, I believe the inexpensive one has a larger wax content than the expensive one.
Can’t You Wash Your Work Boots In The Washing Machine?
Boots aren’t like socks in the sense that they can’t be washed. They’re filthy, hefty, and sensitive in comparison to a pair of socks.
They may shrink and become exceedingly rigid depending on the material they’re made of, making them extremely uncomfortable to wear and perhaps impeding your movement.
It’s not only your work boots that might be ruined. A washing machine’s inside can be badly dented by the weight of completely drenched boots.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Often Should I Oil My Work Boots?
Mink oil can be used once every two weeks if your objective is to hydrate your leather work boots and you plan to wipe away excess oil after one hour. However, if you wish to add a wax layer or coating to your boots using mink oil, do it no more than twice a year.
Why Do My Leather Work Boots Crack?
Drying out is one of the most common causes of cracks in leather work boots. Because leather is a porous material, outside factors such as dirt, grease, or oil can penetrate into the pores and cause damage.
How Do I Protect My Leather Work Boots?
Cleaning and conditioning your leather boots on a regular basis is the best way. You should also store your boots indoors rather than outside because direct sunlight, rain, and other conditions might cause them to wear out more quickly.
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