The ultimate guide to cleaning and caring for your football boots

Learn how to clean and care for your football boots. In today's post we will show you how to clean and take care of your football boots in the right way, as sometimes this lack of hygiene and care means that the useful life of our boots is considerably reduced because we don't pay them the attention they deserve.

19 July 2019 - Written by Laura Arriero

We have always said that football is a locomotive that runs at breakneck speed. Just as it happens with the preparation techniques for football players and where schools are increasingly instilling the feeling of sacrifice and work from a very young age, sports brands are going hand in hand with this whole world. A market where technologies are becoming more and more sophisticated and with more R&D behind them all.

FOOTBALL BOOT CLEANING

The first thing to know and differentiate is that cleaning leather boots is not the same as cleaning string boots. Also, it is not the same to play on artificial grass, natural grass or sand. One of the most recurrent questions that pass through our RR.SS. are those that are linked to white boots.

How do I clean my white Mercurial?

We start talking about those boots that are made of thread material and synthetic materials, as the cleaning method is the same; whether they are made of flyknit, primeknit or EVOknit. During the last Russia 2018 World Cup, Nike decided to launch the Just Do It Pack, in which it was clear that white was the most prominent colour and the questions about how to clean them were our daily routine. One thing I want to make clear is that; IT WILL BE VERY COMPLICATED FOR THE BOOT TO RETURN TO ITS FACTORY CONDITION.

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The indisputable thing in this type of material is to try to keep the football boot dry, away from direct exposure to the sun, every match. This last point will appear in all versions. The thread is an extremely absorbent material, as it acts as if it were a sponge, I am talking about the water that can accumulate and the sweat. If we are talking about mud, we can put them in the shower with us, to remove the excess. Once we have this clear, and already at home, we can take some soap, mix it with water and apply it with a brush, for the cracks of mud, as well as to clean the rubber. To eliminate the humidity inside the boot, it is advisable to place newspaper inside the boot, which will absorb the water and sweat that it may have. Leave the paper on for a couple of hours or overnight if the boot is excessively wet.

Cleaning leather boots

We are used to wearing boots and leaving them in the backpack until the next use, keeping them dirty, wetting them excessively to remove dirt. Perhaps, this is due to the introduction of materials that do not need so much maintenance. Leather boots need special care and maintenance compared to other materials. As it happens with thread boots, we can put them in the shower with us, to remove the excesses, and when we are at home, clean them with water and a brush. It is important to keep the boot dry, away from sun exposure, using newspaper inside the boot for better drying.  

Here comes the important point, give it cream or balsam for boots. After drying the boot we have to nourish the boot with balsam, this will improve the softness and flexibility, as well as waterproofing and extending the life of the boot. For this reason the boot should also be dry on the inside. It is important not to overdo it with the quantity and frequency with which the grease is applied, as this can cause damage to the shell itself.

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CAN I CLEAN MY FOOTBALL BOOTS IN THE WASHING MACHINE?

Can boots be put in the washing machine? This is the classic doubt when the footwear needs a good cleaning and there is not enough time to clean them by hand. THE ANSWER IS NO - theoretically, but personally I have done it and it works perfectly. WARNING; if you do it, it is essential to follow certain steps so that the operation does not result in damage.

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For a thorough cleaning, you will need to remove the laces and inner soles of your boots to ensure a thorough cleaning. Once you have done this, find a cloth bag or wrap them in a towel so that they don't hit the drum, balance the load and avoid problems in the washing machine. It is also important to avoid spin-drying to avoid damaging the football boots. Another key point is that to clean the boots, we have to program the washing machine with cold or lukewarm water, with a maximum of 30 degrees, as otherwise elements of the same, such as the sole, or logos, may come off. Try to use a liquid detergent and run the washing machine at medium speed.  

To ensure that the boot is completely free of odours and fungus, you can finish off the wash with a boot deodorant, which you can find on our website.

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