Rubber boots are excellent for keeping your feet dry when it rains or snows. They are also perfect to wear for outdoor jobs and countryside activities. Cleaning them on the outside does not require much effort and usually just using a garden water hose. After cleaning the outer rubber, you may notice that the inner parts need some care as well. In this case, you can use a rag and soap or a cleaning solution based on distilled white vinegar. After you have thoroughly cleaned your rubber boots, you can keep them nice and protected by using the right products and tricks, for example by applying a protective spray for the tires or by storing them in a paper bag when not in use to keep them away from the sunlight.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Clean the Outside
Step 1. Remove dust and dirt with a damp rag
If the boots aren't particularly dirty, wiping them with a wet rag will probably be enough to get them clean again. The best way to prevent dirt from building up on the rubber, forcing you to do a longer and deeper cleaning, is to wipe them with a damp rag after each use.
- If water alone isn't enough to get them clean again, you can dissolve a teaspoon of soap in a liter of warm water. Wet the rag, wring it out, and wipe your boots to get rid of dirt and dirt.
- Mop the rubber from top to bottom. This way you will be less likely to transfer dirt or earth onto the parts you have already cleaned.
Step 2. Remove dirt from the boots with the hose you use for watering
Take the boots to a suitable area of the garden and spray them thoroughly with water. It may take some time for the dirt to dissolve and come off the rubber. After removing most of the dirt and mud, wipe away the last residue by rubbing the boots with a damp rag.
- If you don't have a suitable outdoor space to clean your boots this way, you can wash them indoors with the bathtub hand shower.
- If there is any mud residue that doesn't want to come off, dissolve a teaspoon of baking soda in a cup of hot water. Rub the mixture where you need it, wait 15-30 minutes and then rinse the boots again to permanently remove the dirt.
Step 3. Brush the soles to remove stubborn dirt
Be careful when scrubbing your boots. Using a brush with too stiff bristles could damage or discolor the rubber. Choose a soft brush to avoid damaging the boots and not use it on the most delicate parts.
- Apply light pressure when scrubbing the gum. Rubbing too hard will risk damaging it prematurely.
- Use an old toothbrush to remove dirt from the small crevices in the soles.
Step 4. Remove scratches with oil
Over time, the gum may get scratched and may appear discolored in those spots. Pour a few drops of oil, such as olive oil, on a soft cloth, then rub it on the scratched parts making circular movements to make the rubber look like new again.
If using this technique you can't get rid of the scratches, try a regular eraser, the same one you use to correct pencil marks. Rub it gently over the scratches until they disappear
Step 5. Let the boots air dry
This is the best way to protect rubber. After washing them, first remove as much water as possible by rubbing them with a dry and clean rag, then roll up a few sheets of newspaper and tuck them inside the boots. Wait a few hours before removing the paper and put more dry paper if the boots are still damp.
Newspaper serves both to absorb the moisture present inside the shoes and to keep them in the correct shape
Step 6. If necessary, you can use the hair dryer to dry them quickly
If you need to wear your boots again shortly, dry them with a rag to absorb most of the moisture, then turn on the hair dryer at the lowest temperature available and direct the jet of air directly into the boots. That way they should dry pretty quickly.
Part 2 of 3: Clean the Inside
Step 1. Prepare a cleaning solution
Dissolve a teaspoon of dish soap in a liter of hot water in a basin. Shake the water with your hand or with a flatware to distribute the soap evenly.
Step 2. Clean the inside of the boots
Dip a clean rag into the soapy water, then wring it out and use it to scrub the inside of the shoes carefully. Repeat the process several times, rinsing and wetting the cloth again with the cleaning solution. When you're done, wipe off the soap by wiping the inside of the boots with a clean rag dampened only with water.
Step 3. Eliminate bad odors from inside the boots
Take a bottle with a spray diffuser and fill it half with distilled white vinegar and the other half with water. Use the cleaning solution to thoroughly spray the inside of the boots. The acetic acid contained in the vinegar will kill the bacteria and microorganisms that give rise to bad odors.
Part 3 of 3: Maintenance
Step 1. Protect the outside of the boots with a product formulated to preserve tires
With a single gesture you will be able to safeguard the rubber and make it immediately brighter. You can purchase a tire protective spray at auto accessories stores or well-stocked supermarkets.
Reapply the protective spray every six months for the best possible results
Step 2. Protect the rubber from the sun's rays
Direct sunlight can dry it out and therefore ruin your boots. When you're not using them, wrap them in a paper bag to keep them out of the light.
If you want to let them dry outdoors, make sure they stay in the shade for as long as necessary
Step 3. Remove the white marks from the rubber boots
When the weather is hot or humid, white marks or some sort of patina may form on the surface of the boots. They are caused by substances present in the rubber itself that rise to the surface. It is a completely natural phenomenon that does not affect the good condition of the boots. You can easily remove them using:
- A rag soaked in a few drops of oil. Rub it in circular motions where the white marks or the patina have formed, they should disappear immediately.
- A product formulated to polish boots or rubber surfaces. You can find it in shoe or DIY stores.
