How to clean walking boots that’ve gotten really muddy

Featured: Plenty Max Household Towel

Plenty Max Household Towel. The strongest and most absorbent household towel with new XXL sized sheets. ...

Buy Now

Squelching around the mud with your favourite four-legged fluffball is one of life’s greatest pleasures. But squelching, shaking and rolling your muddy shoes into the new rug in your home? That’s a whole different story – and definitely not what you meant when you said you wanted to get closer to nature.

Here’s how to clean hiking boots quickly and efficiently so that you don’t leave a wet, muddy trail from the front door to the bedroom!

In this article, we’ll cover:

• How to clean walking boots
• How to clean leather boots with dried-on mud
• Frequently asked questions

How to clean walking boots, step-by-step

If you’re trying to figure out how to clean hiking boots covered in mud, we’ve got some tips that could help. At first, you might think that your boots are so caked in mud that you’ll never get them clean. But once you know how to clean muddy shoes and boots, they’ll be fresh and cared-for in no time.

You’ll need:

• Kitchen towel
• Soft brush or toothbrush
• Hot soapy water
• Specialist waterproofing treatment (optional)

Instructions:

1. Get rid of as much mud as you can before cleaning. Walking boots will undoubtedly pick up a lot of mud, so before you get on with the task of cleaning them it’s important to remove as much of the excess as you can. Stomp your feet on a hard floor (probably best not to do this on your bathroom tiles though) or wipe them in the grass – or use some strong paper towel soaked in water to clean it off.
2. Remove laces and insoles. If you’ve got really muddy shoes or boots, the best way to clean muddy walking boots is to remove the laces and inners. Set them to the side while you get on with cleaning the outside of your boots.
3. Take a brush and dip it in soapy warm water. Whether it’s boots or muddy trainers, a soft brush is always best, so you don’t damage the material. Scrub at the dirty areas with a bit of pressure, then use a clean sheet of paper towel to wipe off leftover water/mud.
4. Deal with your laces and insoles. If you’re cleaning hiking boots caked in mud, it’s likely that dirt and grime have also found their way onto your laces and insoles. 
   Soak your laces in hot soapy water, ring them out, and marvel at how much mud has come out of them. Then, you can scrub the rest away with your brush. Scrub off any excess mud on your insole. If a load of mud has got its way into the inside of your boots, that could be a sign that you need a new pair.
5. Apply a specialist waterproofing treatment after cleaning, before letting them dry. 

That’s how to clean leather walking boots quickly after your walk, but what about how to clean walking boots when life gets in the way, and the mud’s had a chance to properly dry on? Happens to even the most seasoned walkers after a long trek, and it’s easier to fix than you might think.

How to clean leather boots with dried-on mud

Whether you’re cleaning hiking boots, muddy shoes or muddy trainers, the sooner you act, the better. However, there’s still plenty you can do if the mud and grime have dried on.

You'll need:

• A couple of sheets of kitchen paper
• A soft brush
• A blunt instrument, such as a spoon
• Warm soapy water
• White vinegar
  
  

Instructions:

1. Let the mud dry completely. Once the mud has started to harden, wait until it’s fully dry before you start cleaning.
2. Brush off dried mud. Use a sheet of strong kitchen paper to gently brush off chunks of dried mud. For stubborn deposits, a blunt instrument, such as a spoon, can help lift the mud without damaging your boots.
3. Wipe away remaining dust. Once the larger pieces of mud, wipe off any remaining dry dusty patches. Finish with a final wipe-down using warm water, like in the method above. 
4. Tackle stubborn stains. If you uncover stubborn stains like salt marks, try removing them with a combination of white vinegar and water. Then, wipe them over with a damp kitchen towel and buff dry with another clean, dry sheet of kitchen towel.

FAQs: Cleaning your hiking boots

Can you wash walking boots in the washing machine?
A washing machine can be tough on boots, damaging leather or suede and wearing down the materials that protect and support your feet. For the sake of your footwear (and future walks), a gentle hand wash is the safer option, helping your boots stay adventure-ready for longer.

How do you clean mud off suede shoes?
Let the mud dry fully first (trying to tackle it wet will only work it deeper into the fibres), then gently brush it away with a suede brush or a soft-bristled toothbrush. For more stubborn marks, a light dab of white vinegar on a kitchen towel can help lift the stain without soaking the material. Once clean and dry, finish with a suede protector spray to help keep future muddy mishaps at bay.

How to keep your walking boots from getting muddy?
Regularly applying a waterproof spray or protective conditioner helps stop mud and water from soaking in, making post-walk clean-ups much easier. And when mud does strike, don’t let it settle in - brushing it off after each outing will keep build-up at bay and your footwear ready for the mud-filled outing.

If you love going for a long walk in the country, our easy method for cleaning walking boots will make it easier for you to love the prep for it. And it means you won’t have to think twice when you’re on your next walking about sploshing through that extra muddy path that looks like fun… And if you take your pet with you, have a look at our guide to disinfecting muddy paws.