If you are participating in motocross it goes without saying that you are going to get dirty; in fact, you will likely be caked with mud when the fun is over at the end of the day. This may have you wondering the best ways to keep your dirt bike boots clean inside and out so they last for many more years of ripping and romping through the muddy trails.
For some helpful tips and tricks to cleaning and maintaining your dirt bike boots so they last a long time, continue reading.
Why It’s Important to Keep Your Dirt Bike Boots Clean
You may be wondering if it is even worth the effort to clean your dirt bike boots because, after all, they are just going to get caked in mud again.
Keeping your dirt bike boots clean also ensures that:
- Leather and other materials stay in good condition
- Prevents buckles from rusting or getting caked with mud
- Keeps them looking nice and new
- Prevents funky smell from wet/sweaty feet and preserves inner materials
Now that you understand why you need to clean your dirt bike boots you can continue reading to learn the best process.
Here’s a helpful walk-through video, with written steps and more info below:
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Quick and Deep Clean Methods for Cleaning Dirt Bike Boots
If you ask someone how to clean dirt bike boots it is likely you will get a wide variety of answers recommending different products and techniques so how do you know which is best?
The section below gives the most simple and inexpensive methods found that won’t damage your boots in the process.
Getting Prepared
Before you begin you need to gather a few supplies. You will likely already have most of the items you need lying around the house.
Folding Metal Chair
If you don’t have a folding metal chair, it’s okay as this is an optional item but it does make the cleaning and drying process much simpler. Other items can be used in the same way.
Dawn Dish Soap
Dawn dish soap is one of the best ways to clean your dirt bike boots. It is a strong yet gentle degreaser that doesn’t cost much.
If you don’t have dawn other dish liquids will work but Dawn is preferred. It is also acceptable to use other cleaners but be sure they are labeled safe for use on leather and the other materials your boots are made of.
Hose With a Spray Nozzle or Pressure Washer
A hose with a spray nozzle or a pressure washer is the best way to blast the caked-on chunks of mud off before you start your cleaning process. They are also good for rinsing after they have been detailed.
Be sure to use the lowest pressure setting if you opt for the pressure washer because higher settings can cause damage to the leather or plastics on the boot.
If you live in an apartment or area where there is no access to a hose you can use a sink or bucket with warm water to wash your boots.
Scrub Brush and an Old Toothbrush
You don’t need anything too fancy, just a small scrub brush with a handle and an old toothbrush will get the job done. Fingernail scrub brushes work well too because the handle is easy to grip so you can get into the cracks.
Waterproofing Spray
The use of waterproofing spray is not mandatory but it is a good step to do every so often to help preserve the life of the boot and keep your feet dry.
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Getting the Big Stuff
Before you can begin deep cleaning your boots it is necessary to remove as much of the large debris as possible.
If they have been sitting with mud caked up on them for a while it can take some time to soften the mud to the point where it will come off of the boot. This is why it is recommended that you use a garden hose with a spray nozzle or a pressure washer on its lowest setting.
Follow these steps:
- Give the boots an initial spray down to get the mud and debris wet.
- Let it sit for a few minutes and repeat until there are no more mud or grass chunks left.
- This is where the folding metal chair comes into play; simply open the chair and flip it upside down on the ground.
- Cover two legs with a soft towel to protect the inside of your boot.
- Place one boot over each leg of the chair. This allows the water to drain off of the boot as you are spraying it and makes it easier to scrub.
For those of you who may not have access to a hose where you live you can always stop at a carwash and use the pressure washer to remove the caked-on mud before hauling them back to your nice clean apartment.
Detailed Cleaning
Now that the large majority of dirt and debris has been rinsed off of your boots you can begin the deep cleaning process.
This process is simple but can take some time depending upon how dirty your boots are:
- Begin by applying warm soapy water and scrubbing the entire boot with your scrub brush.
- Use the old toothbrush for hard-to-reach areas like seams and around the buckles.
- Once you have given the boots a good once-over it’s time to rinse.
- If needed you can repeat the process until you are satisfied with the results.
- If you decide to use a spray-on degreaser to help remove stains, be sure to let it sit on the surface of the boots for a couple of minutes before scrubbing and rinsing it again.
- If possible keep your boots hanging on the legs of the chair in a place where there is plenty of light and air moving so they can dry properly.
- Once your boots are dry you can apply a waterproofing or silicone spray to help repel water and protect the materials on your boots.
When using silicone spray it is highly recommended that you do not apply it to the soles or inner side of the boot as it can cause you to slip. For more tips on cleaning your dirt bike boots continue reading.
Other Tips for Preserving Your Dirt Bike Boots
Here are a few more things to consider when cleaning your dirt bike boots that will extend the length of time you can use them and keep your feet healthy as well.
How to Quickly Clean Boots and Restore Yellowed Boots
If you don’t have a lot of time but still want to give your boots a quick cleaning there is a very simple way to get the job done.
Rinse the major dirt and debris from your boots then use a Mr. Clean Magic Erasers to remove unsightly dirt and stains. Magic Erasers are also one of the best and easiest ways to return yellowed boots to their former shiny white color.
Don’t Forget to Clean Inside Your Boots
As important as it is to maintain the outside of your boots, the inside is even more important because that’s where your feet will be spending long periods of time.
To prevent or eliminate the bacteria that cause that awful stench in your boots it is essential that you remove all inner materials possible and individually wash them carefully by hand with something that will kill bacteria.
You can also fill the boots with a solution of vinegar and water to soak if you have a severe odor that can help eliminate it. Follow up with some baking soda to absorb the vinegar smell until they are dry.
Drying Boots Just as Important as Cleaning
If you don’t let your boots dry properly after washing you are going to have a lot of issues. The main issue is that they are going to smell so bad you won’t be allowed to keep them in the house.
Wearing wet boots is also not a good environment for your feet to be dwelling in as it is a fantastic breeding ground for bacteria. So, not only will you have a smell that could knock a mule over but you can risk contracting the ever-so-itchy athlete’s foot.
If you cannot afford the time that it takes for your boots to dry completely you may consider investing in a Boot Dryer (link to Amazon).
Clean Boots Goes Beyond Aesthetics
As you can see cleaning your dirt bike boots is not a difficult task and it will greatly extend their lifespan. It’s important to understand that having clean boots is great for looking good and making them last longer, but it is also better for the health of your feet.