How to clean your hiking boots
For excursions one of the main items of your equipment that you can't afford to be without is the hiking or walking bootsThey must be made of good material to guarantee their durability. They tend to be a little expensive, so their maintenance is crucial to make the investment worthwhile.
Knowing how to clean your hiking boots will ensure a long life for your boots.. In this case, it is important to bear in mind that the cleaning of hiking boots is not similar to that of any ordinary garment or footwear, as they require special maintenance.
Materials to be used for cleaning hiking boots
Before you start cleaning your hiking boots you need to have the following products at hand:
– Soft cloth or handkerchief.
– Brush If you do not have a special boot brush, a fine bristle brush, such as a toothbrush, can be used.
- Detergent or soapsuch as the one used for washing dishes.
– Conditioner special for leather maintenance.
- Enough clean water.
Technique for cleaning hiking boots
Excessive humidity and heat are detrimental to your hiking boots.Therefore, to clean them, you should use a technique that will allow you not to excessively wet them or subject them to strong heat to dry them.
The soleOne of the dirtiest parts is the sole, but it is the easiest to clean. All you have to do is remove the materials deposited there, using a brush, water and detergent.
The upper part of the bootThe most difficult part to clean, as the durability of the material will depend on how you treat it. Ideally, you should first wipe with a dry towel to remove dust and dirt. If the dirt or mud is very sticky, use enough water and detergent to remove it.
In the case of suede boots, avoid pressure and the use of brushes, as you can damage the material, just use a damp towel and special detergent for this type of footwear. If it is thick leather, clean, dampen and then condition the leather to keep it a little more flexible and prevent it from cracking.
Consider that if they are not too dirty, just wiping will work, and it is not so necessary to wet them completely. If you do have to soak them in water, remove the laces and insoles and dry them separately from the rest of the boot. And at all costs avoid putting them in the washing machine.
Taking care of heat and humidity
Leather hiking boots should not be subjected to intense heat.This will crack them and shorten their life span. Therefore, in case you get them wet, dry them at room temperature, but not directly exposed to the sun.
On the other hand, bear in mind that they will normally have a membrane that provides waterproofing as well as breathability. We are talking about Gore-Tex® type membranes. These membranes are delicate and high heat would increase their deterioration.
The Excessive moisture If you wear your boots for a long time, the material of the boots will deteriorate, so you can use newspaper to absorb the moisture inside the shoe and a ventilated place to allow the outside to dry faster.
Care according to the material of the hiking boots
First of all, it is important to consider the material your boots are made of. They can be:
– De leather full grain, durable and long lasting, cannot be subjected to excessive heat and moisture, and leather conditioner must be used. The boot must be completely dry before application.
– De chamoisThe skin is much more sensitive and its care is more rigorous, it is necessary to take care of the humidity in them, it is recommended to clean them with damp towels. They are not the most common.
– De meshThe use of a thick brush is usually a complement to the use of leather, i.e. it accompanies this material in the design of the boot, using a thick brush is not a good option.
Even if you wear your hiking boots very often, don't let dirt accumulate on them, don't wash them thoroughly very often either, but try to clean them regularly and always remove deep stains with a good wash when necessary.
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