How to Clean Mud Off Shoes and Boots

eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here.
How to Clean Mud Off Shoes and Boots
Image Credit: nok6716/iStock/Getty Images

A stroll along your favorite trail leaves you refreshed and energized, but it doesn't always come without a bit of cleanup. One step into the dirt on a drizzly day coats your shoes or boots with a layer of mud. Unlike rain and snow, mud steadfastly insists upon dripping from your boots onto the foyer mat when you take them off. Clean the mud off shoes or boots to preserve their condition and get them ready for your next outing.

Advertisement

Things You'll Need

  • Newspaper

  • Fabric brush

  • Liquid dish soap

  • Bowl

  • Sponge

  • Microfiber cloth

  • Saddle soap

  • 1/2 teaspoon vinegar

  • Suede brush

Video of the Day

Fabric

Step 1: Dry the Shoes

Set your shoes or boots on a sheet of newspaper and allow them to dry. A thin layer of mud takes up to an hour to dry.

Video of the Day

Step 2: Sweep the Shoes With a Brush

Use a fabric brush or old toothbrush to sweep the mud off the shoes. The top layer of gunk will fall off, leaving only a residue.

Step 3: Create a Soap Mixture

Pour 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap into a bowl. Fill the bowl with cold water.

Step 4: Sponge and Rub

Dip a sponge into the water and wring it out well. Rub the mud stains with the sponge, using small circular motions. Reapply water to the sponge as necessary, until you have coated both shoes.

Advertisement

Step 5: Wipe and Repeat

Wipe the shoes down with a dry microfiber cloth to absorb the solution and mud. Reapply the dish soap if mud remains on the shoes.

Step 6: Wipe the Shoes

Run the sponge under cold water, and wipe the shoes down to remove the soap and any excess debris. Allow them to air dry.

Advertisement

Leather

Step 1: Clean Mud Off Leather Shoes and Boots

Place leather boots on a sheet of newspaper. Use a microfiber cloth to sweep thick chunks of mud and debris from the shoes.

Step 2: Apply the Saddle Soap

Apply a quarter-size amount of saddle soap to a clean microfiber cloth. Work it into the leather using small circular motions. Saddle soap thoroughly cleans leather while conditioning it.

Advertisement

Step 3: Wipe Off the Saddle Soap

Soak the same cloth in warm water, and wring it out well. Use large circular motions to wipe the saddle soap from the shoes, along with all mud. Allow them to dry completely, away from sunlight.

Suede

Step 1: Sweep and Dry

Place your suede shoes on a sheet of newspaper. Gently wipe away large chunks of mud with a microfiber cloth, using a downward sweeping motion. Do not rub suede, because it can push the mud farther into the nap. Allow the remaining mud to dry completely.

Advertisement

Step 2: Apply the Vinegar

Soak a clean cloth in warm water and wring it out well. Pour 1/2 teaspoon of vinegar onto the cloth. Gently rub the mud stains with the cloth. Vinegar will remove stains without altering the suede.

Step 3: Use a Suede Eraser

Rub remaining stains with a suede eraser using a back and forth motion.

Step 4: Brush the Suede Shoes

Brush the shoes with a suede brush, working in the direction of the nap in short strokes to finish cleaning the mud off the shoes.

Tip

Once dry, coat your now clean boots or shoes in a protective spray designed for their fabric type. This will act as a repellent and prevent mud from soaking through or adhering to them in the future. Cleaning mud off shoes is much easier when they're treated with these products.

Advertisement

references