There are many myths about snow boots like they were made to stay wet all day and then the moisture keeps you warm, or that snow will “flush out” your boots. The truth is that while these winter wonders do keep your feet warm, it’s important to know how to clean them periodically (and after each day of wear) in order not to end up with an unpleasant-smelling pair of shoes. Cleaning your snow boots will ensure that they last longer so you can be sure not only this season but for the next one too!
Method 1: Cleaning the Outside
It can be frustrating trying to clean snow out of your boots. It is also an easy process that anyone can do. Follow these simple steps
Step 1: Prepare warm water and Clorox
Warm water and Clorox to are used to kill bacteria on the inside of the hose. Use a hose to spray or spray lightly spritz them with Clorox water. You could also use Windex or bleach if you don’t want scented clothes (which is great for winter). Soak them in hot water for 20-30 minutes (so they warm up!).
Step 2: Let them Dry
Rinse the Clorox out. Let them air dry, if possible, in a well-ventilated area.
Note: If your boot does not have stained soles, you can use a damp towel and give them a final wipe down. Leave them to air out for at least 24 hours before wearing again (in case they still smell).
Method 2: Cleaning the Inside
Sometimes when you take off your snow boots, their insides can be wet from sweat or water from wet surfaces. You can treat them with some antibacterial spray or wipe them out with a cloth soaked in diluted vinegar. You can also use baking soda, which is a good substance for absorbing moisture. Wipeout your boots after each wear to remove any excess moisture that can cause mildew and odors. For more thorough cleaning, follow these steps:
Step 1: Remove the Boot’s Inner Liner
Take out all of the paddings so you can wash them separately from the outside shell. Put on boot shell with the inner liner removed: Put on the boot shell only so you can wash it with its lining still intact. This way, it will dry faster and can go back in the shell when you’re done.
Step 2: Fill a Tub with Warm Water
Put the boots in a tub filled with warm water and about a tablespoon of detergent. Soak the boots for an hour or so, then use a brush to remove any caked-on dirt, taking care not to damage the inner membrane of the boot.
Step 3: Empty Tub
Remove boots from bath and fill with clean water for rinsing. Gently rinse off all soap residue from both the inside and outside of your boots, being sure not to damage their waterproof seal. You may have to rinse them off twice or even three times if they are particularly dirty.
Step 4: Dry Boots Outside
The best way to clean snow boots is to hang them outside in the sun. The sun’s rays will naturally bleach any stains while also drying them.
Step 5: Final Step
Once both your boots and inner liners are clean, pat them dry with paper towels before placing your liners back inside. Be sure to store your boots in a suitably dry place, so they are ready for you to use again next winter!
Method 3: Using White Vinegar and Water
First, you will need: 5 gallons of warm water, 1 cup of white vinegar, and one brush or cloth to apply the solution. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Dampen Your Snow Boots
You want to start by dampening your snow boots with warm water. It is important to use warm water so that the salt will dissolve into the water more quickly. The temperature of the solution will have an effect on how long it takes for your boots to be clean, but you can usually expect some results after 30 minutes. Do not let them dry! Put on some thick socks and wait for them to dry while they are still wet. Even if your boots do not feel very wet, they will dry quickly, and the salt will be absorbed into the fabric. As the fabric dries, it will begin to smell musty or stale. Do not worry! This is good! It means that the salt is being taken out of your boots! It may take a while to fully dry, depending on how bad they are, but you can always repeat the process if necessary.
Step 2: Apply the Vinegar-soaked Cloth to Snow Boot
After your boots have dried off a little bit, you want to apply a dampened cloth or brush to your snow boots. Use vinegar to clean off any remaining salt. This will make your boots smell like vinegar (or smell like stuff!), but they should not smell musty or stale.
Step 3: Wipe the Inside of Your Boots out with Vinegar
To get to the bottom of your boot, you can use another cloth. Dip another cloth into the warm water, and then apply that dampened cloth to the inside of your snow boots. This will act as a second cleanse.
TIP: You can try soaking boots overnight in warm water with 1/2 cup white vinegar added to the water. The next morning, thoroughly rinse your boots in cold water and pat dry with a paper towel.
Method 4: Restore Dry Leather With Leather Conditioner
It’s a quick process that takes just a few minutes, and it produces a surprisingly good result. Plus, with the Warm Iron coupon code, you won’t have to worry about breaking the bank or wasting precious time trying to clean them with regular methods.
Step 1: Gather some Supplies
You’ll need two things; shoe polish and leather conditioner (leather conditioner preferred).
Step 2: Apply the Polish and Conditioner
You will need to apply them on both sides evenly.
Step 3: Rub Leather Together
Rub them together as if you were putting on your boots. Try to make lots of friction against each other for about 30 seconds. This will help soften and restore the leather.
Step 4: Set Aside & Let Dry
Put the boots somewhere where they won’t touch anything and wait at least 24 hours before using them again. This will help to restore your boots and make them look new again. Remember that these methods will only work with warm leather (between 50-100 degrees F). It’s recommended to wait till the weather is more favorable for boot repair if you reside someplace with really cold temperatures. This method’s results may vary with different conditions.
Method 5: Erase Scuffs With Baking Soda
Step 1: Preparation
Prepare warm water and add 5-6 tablespoons of baking soda.
Step 2: Apply the Solution
Place the boots in the solution, submerging them completely for 5 minutes or so to loosen any caked dirt or grime.
Step 3: Rinsing
Rinse the boots thoroughly in cool water to wash away soap residue and then hang them up to dry completely before use.
Note: Baking soda is a mild, natural cleaner that can be used to gently scrub grimy residue from all sorts of surfaces. Wipe down with a cloth dipped in a wet mixture of warm water and baking soda for a quick and easy cleaning solution. It can also be used as a deodorizer by putting half a cup in a sink full of warm water and soaking your shoes for an hour or so before washing with soap and warm water.
Method 6: Banish Odor With Bleach
Cleaning snow boots is a task that most people don’t enjoy. If you’re just running in and out of the door and don’t want to spend a lot of time cleaning snow boots, this tutorial will help you do it in just five minutes or less!
Step 1: Remove Laces
To begin with, remove the laces from the boots. You’ll want to do this before you start washing the snow boots because it’s a lot easier to do while they’re still attached to the footwear. If you have multiple pairs of laces, you can segregate them into separate piles before starting. Once removed, place the laces in a separate laundry basket; they can be washed in cold water with mild detergent, wait for dry on an indoor drying rack.
Step 2: Vacuum the Boots
Vacuum the boots. Use a small, hand-held vacuum with a crevice tool attachment to get into all the nooks and crannies of the boot. While you’re vacuuming, do not use hard bristles on the crevice tool. If you have multiple dust bunnies inside your boots, pick them out from inside instead of from outside. That way, you dispose of them with ease. Follow up by using a second, surface-level vacuum to remove any residual dust from your boots so they don’t look filthy when folded back up for storage or put away in a closet for another season’s use.
Step 3: Washing and Drying
Prepare a washable fabric softener sheet or two in a small pot. Don’t use any harsh fabric softener, like the ones that contain bleach products. In this step, you want to add a few ounces of white vinegar to your large container of water. You can add a little bit of dishwashing liquid if it’s been sitting in the laundry room for a while. Add just enough dishwashing liquid to your container of water to dissolve all the soap crystals floating around, so your clothing is not stiff when you put them in the washer and dryer. Fill the boot with water up to the top of the shaft. Add your fabric softener sheet(s) and gently roll them down into the bottom of your boots. If you’re using two fabric softener sheets, place them inside each boot, so they are sandwiched between your laces.
Step 4: Wash in Cold Water
Wash your snow boots in cold water with mild detergent. Heat will kill any dust mites, bacteria, or other harmful pollutants that could cause odors to develop inside them later on. When you wash items like these, it’s important to wash them inside out. This way, you’re not encouraging bacteria and mold to grow inside your snow boots.
Step 5: Bleaching Option
If you want to remove any odors that may have built up after the first few uses, you can also rub some shoe cream on the leather and wash with a special bleaching solution. This will be only on the outer surface of the shoes, so it won’t affect the quality of your footwear. Apply a small amount of soap on a soft sponge or cloth, and then lightly scrub up each shoe. If this is an item that will see a lot of wear, it’s best to invest in a new pair instead of trying to bleach out your old boots. For most occasions, washing with bleach isn’t necessary.
Step 6: Rinse
Rinse your snow boots thoroughly with clean, cool water. If you have a dirty laundry sink in your laundry room, place the boots there to allow them to air-dry while you finish up other chores. You can throw your laces in the washer at this point. They will be washed the same way as the snow boots but on a cold setting with mild detergent and rinsed on a cold setting as well.
Step 7: Dry Your Boots
When you are ready to dry your snow boots, turn on your ceiling fan on high to circulate the air in your bathroom or laundry room. If it’s too humid outside, this could potentially make your snow boots mildew. After about 15 minutes, or once the boots have dried slightly, place them in a sunny location that gets a lot of natural sunlight. If you have a clothesline outside that, you can hang it to air dry; this would be a great alternative method. If you’re not going to be wearing the snow boots again until next winter, place them in an area where they can air dry for several hours or overnight before putting them away for storage.
If you want to know more how to dry your wet work boots, please check the previous link.
Method 7: Banish Odor Snow Boots with Essential Oils Step By Step
Step 1: Find the Ingredients
You’ll need a few basic ingredients. In this case, all you’ll need is a dish of hot water and a dry towel. Hot water will allow the oils to penetrate the fibers of your wet boots more easily, while the dry towel will help absorb any residual moisture from inside your footwear. And that’s it! Of course, if you don’t have any Essential Oils in your home already, it may be worth buying some in order to skip ahead throughout these steps.
Step 2: Soak Your Boots in the Dish of Hot Water
Soak your snow boots in a dish of hot water for at least thirty minutes. If you don’t have any oils on hand to help fight the odor, using a natural disinfectant like vinegar or lemon juice can also work wonders.
Step 3: Pull Your Snow Boots out and allow Them to Dry
Then, put them on and continue with your day! Pull your snow boots out of the water dish and allow them to dry completely before wearing them again.
Step 4: After Boots are Clean, You can Remove any Leftover Odor by Using the Oven at 350 of for 30 Minutes
This step can be tricky because trying to remove water vapor from your snow boots with your hands will likely result in them getting wet again. The best way is with a hairdryer. Start by setting the hairdryer on cool or medium heat so it won’t melt your snow boot lining. Hold the hairdryer close to the boot but not touch it. Focus the airflow to the inside of the boot. If you are using a heatless dryer, hold it about an inch away from your snow boots for about 5 minutes. The hot, moist air will help remove any remaining moisture from your snow boots. The heatless blow dryer will also help to remove odors better than just letting them dry out naturally. When you are done, let your boots cool down for about 15 minutes before you put them back on.
Step 5: After Boots are Completely Dry, allow Them to Sit for a Day or Two Before Wearing Them Again
After your boots have been completely dry for at least one day, you can wear them again. It is essential to remove any excess water from the boot liner so the footbed doesn’t get wet from perspiration. For this reason, it’s a good idea to put a clean towel in-between your foot and the inside of your boot. Again, if you’re having trouble getting rid of the odor, you may want to try putting a few drops of oil directly on top of the footbeds or lining of your boots.
Method 8: Using Newspapers for Snow Boot Interiors
Step 1: Preparation
Put newspaper down on hard surfaces if you are cleaning snow boots indoors. If using paper towels, make sure they are not too wet.
Step 2: Place Boots on Newspaper
Place your snow boots on the newspaper or paper towel and allow them to dry out completely. We recommend leaving the snow boots overnight to make sure they are totally dry before wearing them again.
Step 3: Use a Hairdryer
To assist speed up the process of drying out your mud-covered snow muck boots and restoring them to their former beauty, use a hairdryer on the lowest setting.
Step 4: Waiting
The snow will melt, and eventually, it will be clean water that will start to puddle on the floor. Make sure you dispose of it properly: do not pour it down the drain, as you may cause a clog, or your pipes may freeze. Do not dispose of it by doing so in a sink, as you may cause damage to the pipes or septic system. Try to place a large bucket under each boot and let them drip dry in to it as they cool off, then dispose of the water outside. If you can not change your water supply for one day or do not have a bucket, pour the water outside.
Step 5: Keep the Boots Dry
When the newspaper is completely dry, fold it up and put it in a plastic bag. Shake the boots inside the bag until the paper is evenly distributed across them. If you need to, you can help spread it by using a rolling pin or hammer to dislodge any crumbs. Remove the boot from the newspaper and shake off as much excess paper as possible from inside your boot before resealing them into their original packaging.
The benefit of using newspaper to clean snow boots is the fact that it has a low cost and can be used in many ways inside and inside. You can use a newspaper to keep your hands warm while you are outside on cold days. You can also use newspapers for wrapping up small presents, or gifts or even to make, play games with your family members. It’s one of the simplest things around.
FAQs
How do you clean winter boots?
Proper care of winter boots is essential, but it can be tricky to clean your winter footwear. With many options available for keeping your boots clean, you’ll want to know the best way possible. There are a few specific materials that you’ll need in order to get the job done properly. You can invest in a special cleaning tool or just use your own. Regardless, it’ll be important to make sure you are using the right materials for the job.
To remove unpleasant odors from your winter boots, check out these hacks. Using common household items, like baking soda and dryer sheets, you can banish the bad smells and keep your boots fresh all winter long. Make sure to air out your boots and store them properly to avoid future odors.
How do you clean and dry winter boots?
Many people like to feel their boots with fresh air. This is done with a boot dryer. A boot dryer will help suck the moisture out of your boots before they are completely broken in. This typically helps with comfort and makes your winter footwear last for longer periods of time. These special machines are not too expensive and can be bought at any number of outdoor stores.
It’s unlikely you’ll own one of these, so it’s likely better to find a spot where you can hang your boots upside down and out in the open while still inside your home. If there is a large drying rack available, this may do just fine for removing moisture from your boots while still remaining warm and protected from the elements outside.
How do you clean fur-lined boots?
Fur-lined boots are made in much the same way as other winter boots. It’s important to know how to clean fur-lined gloves or boots if you need to keep them looking new. The fur lining can be quite expensive, so it’s important that it doesn’t get ruined by water and snow. There are ways to clean fur-lined boots without ruining them, but you’ll need to invest in special tools in order to do so. Some people like to use a broom or brush under running water to help remove grime and debris from the interior of their fur-lined winter footwear.
To keep fur-lined boots clean, use a soft-bristled brush to remove any dirt and debris, then mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spray the inside of the boots. Use a damp cloth to wipe away the solution and allow the boots to air dry. For more details on how to wash your crocs with fur, check out this article.
How do you get stains out of snow boots?
Stains are common for snow boots. They’re typically related to water, mud, or dirt. It’s vital to clean these stains quickly before they have time to dry on the surface of your footwear. Simple dishwashing soap and water may help you get rid of stains on your boots. Simply spray the affected area with soapy water and allow it to soak for around 30 minutes before placing your boots under running water.
Can you use a washing machine for snow boots?
Snow boots shouldn’t be put in the washing machine for any reason. As such, you need to know how to clean snow boots by hand instead. If you want to take a snow boot into the washing machine, then it’s important that you understand that this can damage your winter footwear and therefore ruin it altogether. If there isn’t a very specific need for having a snow boot cleaned quickly, then a simple hand-washing will do just fine.