How To Clean Hiking Shoes

But before you do shake out any sand gravel or dirt left inside from your previous adventure.

How to clean hiking shoes. What you ll need for cleaning your hiking boots. After that use the boot brush to remove all accumulated debris on the surface. Follow all the provided steps in the article above but don t apply the deodorizer yet. If your shoes aren t made of lizard skin or leather you can probably follow these advise. For best results apply a dishwashing soap and water solution while brushing.

To remove excess dirt and stains scrub them with a brush or sponge and warm soapy water. First of all forget your washing machine. Take your shoes inside remove all the laces and insoles to make it easier to work on. Start the cleaning by doing some light cleaning on your hiking boots. Then rinse the shoes or boots with clear water.

If your shoes have a gore tex type membrane you can re activate the waterproofing in the outer material by using a specially made spray or applicator. Try freezing your boots to remove sticky wax or sap. While washing it is crucial to clean or dry the insoles laces and boots separately. For your shoes for your washing machine don t. To remove bad odors fill socks with baking soda and leave them inside your shoes overnight.

Clean the exterior of your boots with a cloth or brush and lukewarm water. After a hike remove the laces and insoles then use a nylon brush to remove dirt deposits. Rinse your hiking shoes with water. If necessary use a soft brush or a sponge to remove any mud and dirt that s left. Loosen the laces or the quick lace.

After every walk or ramble it is recommended to give your footwear a clean. Wash your boots with water and dish detergent and use a toothbrush to scrub the nooks and crannies. We asked gore tex footwear expert andy mcquerrey about his advice on how one should go about washing a gore tex boot. Rinse off the soapy water then leave them to air dry overnight since heat exposure can damage their materials. For the best performance try a soap formulated specifically for the material.