Winter boots can take a real beating, with snow, slush, mud, and road salt leaving them dirty and stained. Fortunately, cleaning winter boots is a straightforward task that can be completed in about 15 minutes, plus drying time, leaving your footwear clean and looking its best.
The method for cleaning different types of snow boots is relatively standard, but the material they're made of determines which products are best suited for all-over cleaning, stain removal, and long-term care. This guide provides basic instructions for cleaning snow boots, along with specific guidance on caring for leather, suede, and rubber winter boots.
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What You'll Need
Equipment / Tools
- Microfiber cloths
- Hand or dish towels
- Shoe brush
- Suede eraser
Materials
- Mild dish soap
- White vinegar
- Suede cleaner
- Leather cleaner
- Leather conditioner
- Protector spray
- Cooking or baby oil
Instructions
How to Clean Snow Boots
Follow the below steps for the basic method to clean your snow boots, regardless of material.
Prep Boots
- Start by gently knocking the boots together to dislodge dirt and other dried-on debris. Then use a dry shoe brush or a soft cloth to wipe away any remaining dirt on the boot. If the shoes have laces, remove them, then brush or wipe the area around the eyelets and the tongue where dirt tends to get trapped. Launder or replace the laces, as needed.
Clean Boots
- Apply a small amount of mild cleaning solution to a soft cloth, wringing it out if needed so that the fabric is damp, not dripping wet. Using gentle pressure, wipe the exterior of the boots, taking care not to scrub or overly saturate the material. Use the cleaning solution or tool suitable for the material your shoes are made of (see below for guidance).
Buff and Dry Boots
- Use a clean, dry cloth to buff and dry the boots, removing any residue and moisture. Then allow them to air-dry completely. To speed up drying, stuff the toe box with a balled-up hand towel, set up a fan nearby, or place the boots near a heat source, such as a radiator or fireplace. Avoid prolonged exposure to heat and sunlight to prevent drying, cracking, and other damage.
Apply a Boot Conditioner and/or Protectant
- Once the boots are clean and dry, apply a thin layer of conditioner and/or protectant. Protective coatings wear away with time and use, making regular reapplication a good way to keep winter boots in good condition.
How to Clean Leather Boots
To clean leather boots, follow the instructions above, using either leather cleaner or diluted mild dish soap. If you opt for dish soap, use a clean, damp cloth to remove sudsy residue before drying and conditioning the leather. Because leather is prone to drying, apply leather conditioner after cleaning to prevent creases and cracking, and to provide a barrier that can prevent stains.
How to Clean UGGs and Other Suede Boots
To clean UGGs and other suede boots, follow the steps above, using a suede eraser or white vinegar to remove stains and clean the suede uppers. Use a suede eraser to remove small marks, and for tougher stains or all-over cleaning, dip a microfiber cloth in white vinegar and gently rub the material. After cleaning suede boots, apply a suede protector spray.
How to Clean Rubber Boots
To clean rubber boots, wipe or hose them off. To remove stubborn stains, rubber boots can be cleaned with warm, soapy water or wiped with all-purpose cleaner on a soft cloth.
Rubber boots are prone to a type of stain known as "bloom." These cloudy white or grayish streaks are a natural occurrence in high-quality rubber, but it is nothing to worry about. If the bloom's appearance bothers you, remove it by applying a small amount of oil, such as cooking oil or baby oil, to a soft cloth, then gently buffing it away in a circular motion.
How to Remove Salt Stains from Boots
To safely remove salt stains from your winter boots, use the cleaning guide below based on the material of your shoes.
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Leather Boots
To remove road salt stains on leather boots, make a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water, dip a soft cloth into it, and gently wipe the stained areas to dissolve the salt.
Suede Boots
To remove salt from suede shoes, use a brush to dislodge as much salt as possible from the material gently. Dilute a small amount of dish soap in cool water, or make a mild vinegar and water solution; dip a clean cloth in the solution and gently blot the salt stains, taking care not to rub or scrub the delicate suede.
Rubber Boots
Wipe rubber boots with a damp cloth to remove salt buildup. Note that naturally occurring bloom on rubber boots can appear as salt stains, but should be removed with a small amount of oil.
How to Dry Snow Boots
It is best to let snow boots air-dry; drying shoes in the dryer isn't recommended, because the heat and tumbling can cause damage. Generally, it takes 12-24 hours for boots to fully air-dry, and drying time can be reduced by removing insoles and laces, stuffing the toe box with a hand or dish towel to absorb moisture, and placing the boots near a fan or heat source.
Tips for Preventing Long-Term Damage
These additional steps can help keep your snow boots in good condition, reducing the need for frequent cleaning and prolonging their lifespan.
- Brush winter boots regularly. Brushing the exterior of boots helps to remove dirt, dust, road salt, and other soils that can build up, leaving leather looking dull and scratched, and lending suede a dingy, dirty appearance.
- Treat salt stains as they happen. Treat salt stains on boots as they happen by wiping leather and rubber boots with vinegar or using a suede eraser on suede. Fresh salt stains are quick and easy to remove, but if left untreated, they can become deeply set in and challenging to remove.
- Be diligent about applying protective spray. Leather and suede boots benefit from a layer of protectant that helps to prevent stains from setting into the material. In normal conditions, protective sprays should be reapplied every six months; in harsher conditions, every three to four months; and during periods of heavy use or extreme conditions, every one to two months.
- Use crease protectors. Boots, especially ones made from leather and suede, are prone to creasing and whiskering. Use crease protectors, shoe trees, or balled-up newspaper to maintain the boot's shape between wearings.
