How to Clean Football Boots in the Wash
Football boots have to withstand a lot: muddy ground, sweat, and persistent odours that accumulate. Not cleaning the boots will cause the buildup of stains on them, as well as moisture, which in turn causes bad smells and even athlete’s foot.
Cleaning your football boots correctly depends on several factors such as the material they’re made from (leather, synthetic, or knit upper), the surface you play on (grass, astro-turf, or concrete), and the manufacturer’s care instructions.
As a renowned and established provider of personal and commercial laundry services, we are extremely proud to offer a range of services to make your life easier. This guide by Love2laundry will walk you through everything from machine washing to hand cleaning, drying, and odour removal of your football shoes.
Quick Answer: Not all football boots can be washed in a machine. Always check the tag before washing them. If they can be washed, then you should use the cold cycle for sportswear. To get rid of odours, you can apply a paste of baking soda, white vinegar, and water. The best way to dry the boots is under the sun.
Why should you clean football boots quickly?
The beautiful game can also be quite a messy affair, literally. Because football is usually played on moist grass, and because the boots for these games are studded, there is bound to be mud flying about the pitch.
As a result, football boots can get quite dirty, especially in wet conditions. In any case, football boots should be cleaned immediately after use. Understanding the best way to clean your football boots starts with acting quickly before mud and sweat set in. Leaving your football boots as they are can result in a few issues.
- If the mud is left to dry, it can become a strong or even permanent stain on your boots.
- Transporting muddy boots can create more mess if they aren’t covered properly.
- If left to dry without any attempt to clean, strong and unpleasant smells can become a permanent issue with the boots.
But even if we take mud out of the equation, lots of people play football on concrete or astroturf, so mud becomes less of an issue, but sweat still is.
If sweat is left to dry in a dark, humid environment, it can contribute to unpleasant smells lingering on the boots. Furthermore, if they are used again without drying, it can lead to issues such as athlete’s foot.
How do I clean the football boots I use daily?
We understand that everyone’s financial situation is different. Therefore, some may not have the luxury of being able to afford more than one pair of reliable football boots. So what options are available for someone who uses football boots daily?
- Purchase a cheaper pair of boots to alternate with your current pair.
- Hand-clean your boots after each session and find a space for them to dry properly.
Football boots that are used daily will naturally be more difficult to clean and dry in time for the next game; this is why having a spare pair is the best option. Even using cleaning services may take too much time for boots that are used daily.
Using a hairdryer to dry the boots can help. Do not direct it on the boots, and ensure a window is open whilst you’re doing it. Knowing how to clean football shoes regularly, regardless of the surface you play on, keeps them in better condition for longer.
How to clean football boots in the wash
Before putting your football boots in the wash, you should first check if they are machine washable. This is because certain football boots of specific textures can be affected by the use of a washing machine.
As a result, the football boots can change size, become uncomfortable, become softer than they are supposed to be, or become weak in stitched areas. If your football boots can be washed in a washing machine, then they are likely going to need a short, cold wash, which is usually facilitated by a ‘sportswear’ option depending on your machine.
However, sometimes you may want to clean your football boots because of a bad smell coming from the inside; can you still put them in the wash? In truth, it is not a good idea to do this, especially if you know your boots are not machine washable. So what is the alternative?
Cleaning football boots by hand
The standard way of cleaning football boots is by scrubbing them, using specially made brushes, and some water and solutions (if necessary). You can clean the boots without mechanical assistance; although it will be time-consuming, it is much safer for the boot itself. For most boot types, hand scrubbing remains the best way to clean football boots without risking damage.
When it comes to the inside of the boot, if you’re cleaning it due to strong smells, there are cleaning solutions you can buy to facilitate the removal of the odour.
Alternatively, there are natural solutions such as using baking soda, water, and white vinegar as a paste to scrub inside and outside the boot. After which you leave them to dry naturally in the sun.
How do I dry football boots?
The best option for drying football boots is outside in direct sunlight. The heat from the sun, in conjunction with the outdoor breeze, helps to dry the boots without leaving a damp smell within them.
If you leave your boots in a dark, warm area to dry, there is a risk they can grow mould or develop a worse smell.
Of course, if your football boots are suitable for use in a dryer, you can put them in there, but this is subjective to the boots themselves and is not available for every football boot.
Can a laundry service clean my football boots?
A laundry service has the potential to clean football boots, but this is dependent on the laundry service itself and the cleaning requirements of the boots. With Love2Laundry, we have 24/7 customer support; simply get in touch with us to see if we can clean your football boots.
Where to find professional laundry services
At Love2Laundry, we believe in the valuable services laundrettes and ironing services can offer; that’s why we dedicate our service to making your clothes clean, long-lasting, fresh, and uncreased.
There are plenty of great hacks online that will make it possible to treat certain items that need dry cleaning, washing, or ironing, but without the professional products, services, and tools offered by a laundrette or ironing service, it may be difficult to consistently get the results you are supposed to have.
We are proud that we offer a very competitively priced way for you to achieve a perfect finish for your items at an affordable cost and in a fraction of the time.
In this blog, we hope that we have shown you how to clean football boots in the wash. Want to know how we can help you today? You can see our full price list or contact our friendly team to find out more about our services.
For further cleaning facts, our blog has a diverse selection of topics related to laundry and ironing.
FAQs
Can football boots go in a washing machine?
Yes, but always check the manufacturer’s instructions before attempting to machine wash your football boots. Many boot types are not suitable for it. If machine washing is allowed, use a cold, short cycle to prevent shrinking, damage to stitching, or loss of firmness. For most boot materials, hand cleaning is the safer and recommended option.
What is the most effective way to dry football boots after washing?
The best way to dry football boots is to stuff them with newspaper or a dry cloth to absorb moisture, then leave them in a well-ventilated area with good airflow. While indirect sunlight can help speed up drying, avoid placing boots in direct sunlight for long periods. Excessive heat can warp the shape, crack leather, or weaken adhesives, so avoid placing them near direct heat sources like radiators.
How can I eliminate persistent odours from inside football boots?
Mix baking soda, white vinegar, and a few drops of tea tree oil into a paste. Once combined, work it into the inside and outside of the boots thoroughly. Leave them to dry naturally in the sun. Note that results may vary depending on the boot material, so always patch test on a small area first, particularly with leather or knit uppers.
Is it possible to use a laundry service for cleaning football boots?
Yes, laundry services such as Love2Laundry can indeed provide cleaning services for football boots based on the nature of the boots themselves and the cleaning needs. The 24-hour customer service of Love2Laundry can confirm this for you.
