CARING FOR YOUR FOOTWEAR
How to clean walking boots
Your Berghaus walking boots are ready to wear, straight from the box. However, as they are made from high-quality leather, they do require specific attention to ensure they maintain their durability and performance.
It’s true, improper drying and cleaning techniques can damage your beloved shoes for good. However, cleaning walking boots is not as difficult as it sounds!
If you are wondering how to clean muddy walking boots or want to know more about caring for leather walking boots, we’re here to help.
Can I put walking boots in the washing machine?
One of the easiest ways to get rid of unwanted smells and dirt on clothes is to throw them in the washing machine. Although tempting, your hiking boots cannot be washed in the washing machine.
Don’t worry! You can still give your boots a good clean-up and learn how to reproof walking boots after you’ve washed them with the following guide.
How to clean hiking boots – a step-by-step guide
Whether you want to know how to clean leather, suede, nubuck or textile walking boots, we’ve got you covered. Our step-by-step guide is suitable for all types of walking boots - so you can give yours a new lease of life in no time....
What you’ll need:
· A walking boot cleaning brush
· Cleaning spray
· Conditioning Cream
· A damp cloth
· Old newspapers
Procedure:
First, remove the in-sole and laces to allow your boots to air properly. Give the boot a good shake to remove any grit or debris that may damage the GORE-TEX® membrane.
Apply Cleaning Spray to the exterior of your boots. Then, use a soft walking boot cleaning brush and lukewarm water to remove any dirt. Be careful as scrubbing the leather will revive it, but will also remove any external protection.
Now your boots are in an “open pore” state, you need to close them up by replacing the substances that got lost through the cleansing process. Apply the Conditioning Cream whilst the boots are still damp to prevent water absorption. For the best results, dab the conditioning product with a soft cloth and don’t forget to pay extra attention to stitch areas and eyelets.
After washing and reproofing your boots, don’t place your boots next to a radiator or a direct source of heat, as wet leather is extremely delicate. To prevent it from shrinking and ripping, open your boots and leave them to air dry at room temperature. Stuffing with newspaper can help speed the process up. It is also important not to dry your boots in direct sunlight.
If you have managed to treat your boots successfully, water will form droplets on the leather. The leather is now protected!
We recommend that you store your boots in a dry, well-ventilated place to prevent mould. If your boots are still damp, stuff them lightly with newspaper to absorb the excess moisture and help keep the boot’s shape. However, be careful not to overstuff and stretch the leather.
