If you’re wondering about the cleaning habits of steel toe boots, you may have heard conflicting answers. Maybe you’ve been told that because steel toes are so durable they can’t be washed. Or perhaps someone has suggested that if they are washed they’ll get rusty.
This post will answer these questions for you and give some tips on steel toe boot care for maintenance.
Wash Steel Toe Boots, Should You Attempt It?
Whether you should wash your steel toe shoes in a washing machine or not is determined by the materials used to make the shoes. Simply by reading the care label, you can choose whether or not to machine wash the shoes. As a general rule, avoid machine-washing leather shoes.
Water can quickly harm materials such as leather or suede. There are certain cleaning products created specifically for these shoes. You can clean your shoes safely with these items or hire a professional cleaner.
You should exercise extreme caution when washing silk or satin shoes, as they are fragile materials. However, there are numerous more types of shoes that can be safely laundered in the washer. So, can steel toe shoes be washed in the washer? Generally, the answer is no. However, you can wash some steel-toe shoes.
If you need to wash trainers, you can do so in a washing machine. Shoes composed of nylon, cotton, or polyester can also be machine-washed. You can wash some PVC or PU shoes in the washing machine. However, before you take action, remember to read the care label.
The primary reason to wash shoes in a washing machine is to save time. You can spend more time with your family or pursue your passions. It’s quite beneficial that some washing machines include a “hand wash” function. Even if your system includes this capability, you must use caution when utilizing it.
How to Clean the Inside of Boots?
If you’re about to go hiking you’ll want to make sure your boots are in pristine condition. Lucky for you, this article will show you how easy it is to clean the inside of steel-toe boots.
Step 1: Remove the laces from your boots and set them aside
Step 2: Remove all of the insoles from your shoes
Step 3: Fill a small pot with water and place over low heat until it boils
Step 4: Dip your sock into boiling water for 30 seconds
Step 5: Dump out the water, place sock on a paper towel, and use a blow dryer on a low setting to dry off any remaining moisture…do not put a sock on your foot
Step 6: Reach inside your boot with the wet sock and slowly wipe away any dirt or debris
Step 7: Dry off any remaining water…do not put a dry sock on your foot
Step 8: Replace the sock with the insoles…make sure to use a blow dryer to complete the drying process
5 Ways to Wash Steel Toe Boots Easily
Steel toe boots are required for all construction and warehouse jobs. Steel toe caps protect the toes from serious injuries caused by falling heavy loads, sharp objects, or tripping over. However, steel toe boots require additional care and maintenance. There are a variety of ways to treat various types of steel toe boots, depending on their material and the type of stains and dirt on them.
In general, steel toe boots can be cleaned with a soap water solution and a clean microfiber cloth. Additionally, talcum powder can be used to clean grease stains from boots, lime juice or tartar cream can be used to clean water-based stains, and sodium bicarbonate can be used to clean suede boots. Today, I’m going to go into detail about the various methods for cleaning steel toe boots. Additionally, I will discuss various methods for cleaning leather, nubuck, and suede steel toe boots.
Let us begin:
Way 1.Cleaning Leather Steel Toe Boots Completely (Inside and Out)
Items required:
- Mild detergent of superior quality
- Any mild shampoo will suffice
- Sodium bicarbonate
- Cloth without lint
- Socks
- Large plastic bag with a zip
Following are the steps to take:
- Always remember to remove the insoles from the boots, as they must be washed separately and very gently.
- Cleaning the insoles with a mild detergent kills germs and eliminates odors, as the bacteria that cause odors reside primarily in the insoles.
- Now, using the mild shampoo and warm water, create a soap-water solution.
- Using the soft lint-free cloth, thoroughly clean the inside of the boots with the soap-water solution.
- Soak the insides of the boots in water to remove the soap-water solution.
- Now, clean the outside of the boots with the cloth and soap-water solution. While cleaning the leather fibers, use gentle circular motions with your fingers.
- Using a blow dryer, thoroughly dry both the inside and outside of the boots. When the boots are completely dry from the dryer, place them outside to absorb the sun’s rays.
- To eliminate the odor, add two teaspoons of baking soda to each sock and place them separately. Overnight, store them.
- The baking soda will completely deodorize and freshen the boots.
Way 2.Cleaning Steel Toe Boots That Have Been Stained
If your boots are stained with grease or water-based dirt, you can treat them in one of the following ways:
– Using talcum powder to remove grease stains
Following are the steps to take:
1.Blot the oil in the boots with a microfiber cloth. Utilize the microfiber cloth to remove as much stain as possible. Avoid being too harsh or you risk uprooting the fibers from the boot’s material.
2.Sprinkle talcum powder liberally over the grease stained area.
3.Allow the powdered powder to adhere to the boot overnight.
4.Using the microfiber cloth, rub the powder from the boots once more. This will remove all remaining stains from the boots.
– Using lime juice or tartar cream to remove water-based dirt stains
Following are the steps to take:
1.This process requires either lime juice or tartar cream.
2.Apply lime juice or tartar cream to the stained area.
3.Using the soft lint-free cloth, gently rub the spot in circular motions.
4.Using a lint-free cloth, remove any remaining lime juice or tartar cream.
5.Completely air-dry the boots and you’re ready to go.
Way 3.Washing Suede Steel Toe Boots
Items required:
Sodium bicarbonate rag Special scrub shoe brush
1.Gently rub the stained areas of the boots with the special scrub shoe brush.
2.Apply a few drops of sodium bicarbonate to the stained areas and allow to sit overnight.
3.Using the rag, rub away the sodium bicarbonate, which will remove the stains as well!
4.Dry the boots in the sun.
5.Make them comfortable.
Way 4.Cleaning Nubuck Steel Toe Boots
Items required:
- A solution of soap and water
- Brushing your teeth
- Cloth with no lint
Following are the steps:
1.Rub the dirt from the nubuck shoes with the toothbrush.
2.Dip the cloth into the bowl containing the soap water solution.
3.Using the cloth, wipe the outer surface of the shoes.
4.Remove the insoles and wash them separately with mild soap.
5.Using the soap water solution and the rag, clean the insides of the boots once more.
6.Allow the boots to air-dry completely.
7.Coat them with a good conditioner to provide the necessary nourishment and shine.
8.Don’t forget to spray the boots with a waterproofing spray before wearing them.
Way 5.Cleaning steel toe boots with a soap-water solution and a microfiber cloth
You can also simply clean steel toe boots with a soap-water solution and a microfiber cloth.
Following steps:
1.Fill a bowl halfway with water and add a few drops of dish soap or a mild shampoo.
2.Now, remove the microfiber cloth from the bowl and soak it in it.
3.Using the microfiber cloth, gently rub the dirt off the boots in small circular motions until the entire boot is cleaned.
4.Using another clean, damp microfiber cloth, wipe away all soap residue from the tops of the boots.
5.To dry your boots, either use a hair dryer or place them in front of a fan.
Why Do Your Boots Have A Smell?
Before we discuss how to clean steel toe shoes, let us first attempt to understand why they smell. There are numerous reasons for shoes to smell. If you frequently wear your shoes, they will absorb sweat and are unlikely to dry out properly. As a result, an unpleasant odor will develop.
Purchase multiple pairs of shoes and wear a different pair each morning to ensure that the shoes dry properly. Another reason that shoes smell is that they are not worn with socks. Socks become wet when they absorb sweat. Additionally, wet socks serve as a breeding ground for fungus.
Can steel-toed shoes be washed in the washer? Perhaps you can, but it is preferable to seek alternative routes. There are numerous methods for eliminating or reducing the odor. We’ve discussed it previously in other posts. Now, we’ll demonstrate some excellent shoe care techniques.
The Difference Washing Between Steel Toe Boots and Other Boots
If you are wondering the difference between steel toe boots and other boots when you are washing them, here is an answer for you.
Steel toe boots can be worn in all types of working environments. They offer safety features like steel toecap protection against falls, punctures and abrasions. This makes it necessary to pay attention when cleaning them since the dirt could lead to accumulation causing damage to the metal parts of toes or laces if not properly cleaned off. It is advised that they should be washed separately at least once a week with soap and water before wearing them again.
There are different types of boots depending on the material they are made of. The leather boots differ from those of cloth or synthetic. The common thread between these is that they all need cleaning more often than the steel toe boots. The reason is that their material does not allow the dirt to be absorbed into it due to its porous nature with most materials. This is why you have to remove the dirt regularly so as not to cause any damage to the fabric with prolonged use.
To clean your leather boots, untie them first and remove anything inside. Wash them with soap and water removing all kinds of sodas, oils, or grease before placing them upright on a flat surface to dry naturally before putting them back on again.
FAQs
Can I put steel toe boots in the washing machine?
It’s generally not recommended to put non-rubber shoes in a washing machine. It can cause scratches or tear off the upper part of the shoe. Always rinse your boots thoroughly with clean water afterward. Never put boots in a washing machine because it can damage them. If you plan to waterproof your boots, do it while they’re still wet. You want to avoid damaging or tearing your boot laces, especially if they are made of leather or suede! The best way to clean them is by giving them a light brushing with a soft brush and some soap and water.
How do I stop my steel toe boots from smelling?
If you have a steel-toe boot, you know how your feet tend to stink at the end of the day. Unfortunately, this problem is not just limited to your feet if you’re anything like me, your steel toe boots tend to get stinky too.
But fear not! This article will walk through how I came up with an ingenious no-fail solution that will work for all steel heel boots and otherwise solve the stinkiness problem permanently: pour some essential oil inside your boots before and after wearing them off and buy a deodorizing spray later on. These two methods together can make your shoes smell good as new.
Are steel toe boots good for your feet?
Too narrow a width can also cause bunions, which is actually a bony growth of the foot. In other words, it causes your feet to deform! Steel toe work boots are thought to be a cause of these issues, but in truth, it is actually poor-fitting boots that do it. Properly fit, steel toe work boots cause no problems.
Do you have steel-toe work shoes? These are designed for occupational use and are not meant for regular wear outside of the workplace. They should be carefully fitted so they don’t pinch or rub anywhere on your feet. For this reason, they’re usually made out of leather or tough synthetic materials that will not react with your skin over time as cloth would.
Is it okay to wear steel-toe boots every day?
If you are wondering whether or not it is okay to wear your steel toe boots every day, the answer would be yes, as long as you are wearing the proper insoles and socks. By changing your shoes every day, even if it is only for a few hours, you will prevent any discomfort that might pop up due to wearing these heavy boots.