How to clean motorcycle boots

September 28, 2022

How to clean motorcycle boots

Investing in high-quality motorcycle boots is a smart long term strategy based on a number of factors. They should fit well, feel comfortable and be durable enough for your chosen style of riding. Uncomfy boots are no fun to wear, too tight and your feet will be all bunched up and uncomfy for your whole ride and if they’re too big you won't be able to feel the gear shifter or rear brake. However, maintaining the right motorcycle boots can increase performance and safety for your next ride. After all, your boots are on the frontline of protecting your feet from dust, dirt, debris, and other factors when you are on the road and roost, rocks, trees on the dirt. It’s only fair that you put a little effort into maintaining them and keeping them ready to go for the next ride. Here’s our quick guide on how to clean your motorcycle boots:

Why you should clean your motorcycle boots

Like your other motorcycle gear, you should keep your motorcycle boots clean and dry. Your boots are under constant assault from dirt, debris, rain, mud, sunlight, oil, and other elements that can cause them to deteriorate faster. Boots that aren't maintained collect a layer of dirt buildup on their surfaces. This will gradually clog the leather’s pores and dry it out leading to cracks.

Although boots are made tough and designed to take a lot of pressure, who wouldn’t love a nice fresh pair of boots every ride, right? On top of that, the process of maintaining your boots isn’t hard or expensive. 

To start with, you need to make sure you have the right cleaning products for your motorcycle boots. Here are the materials you need:

Leather motorcycle boots:

• Soft brush - used in cleaning heavily soiled areas or stains on your motorcycle boots. A soft brush is gentle on the leather but effectively makes cleaning easier. Leather brushing also warms up the wax and oils slightly, which helps disperse them across the leather.
• Cleaner - is a natural or synthetic substance that helps loosen and remove accumulated dirt and grime on your boots. A neutral PH cleaner, without alcohol, is usually the most gentle and the best cleaner for leather goods.
• Clean cloth - use microfiber cloth to apply cleaner on the leather.

Textile boots:

• Gentle brush - to remove the dirt on the surface.
• Water - to wash and clean the motorcycle boots carefully.
• Cleaner - use a boots cleaner specific to the material of your boots as using the wrong type of cleaner can destroy the look of the material of the boots.

4 Step guide to cleaning motorcycle boots

Make sure to clean off any dirt or dust before using any cleaning product. Remove any laces or unzip any zipper before you begin to make sure you are able to reach all the nooks and crevices of the boots.

Brush them with a soft bristle to remove any dried mud and dirt from the leather. When brushing, pay great attention to how you brush. Brushing hard can ruin the bristles and in turn, ruin the boots too.

Use a clean cloth to clean the boots with a cleaner. You can also use some neutral soap but avoid creating excess foam as it can create marks on the leather. Wipe the boots with the cloth or sponge in a circular motion starting from the outside and then to the inside of the boots. 

Move the sponge in a circular motion from the outside to the inside of the boots and be sure to use warm water. Next, allow your boots to completely dry.

Remove the sole of the boots and wash them well in a separate container with the laces. Use warm water and hand wash the soles and laces. Rinse them well and let them dry.

Another important step in maintaining motorcycle boots is waterproofing them. During rides, your boots can get extra dirty so waterproofing them can help prevent stains and other elements from ruining the condition of your boots. Use a waterproofing product that should coat the surface of your boots, creating a layer between the leather and the elements. You can buy waterproofing oils, creams, waxes and other products. Just make sure that you choose one thdevat is specifically designed for your boots’ material.

Typically, you'll want to give your motorcycle boots a regular cleaning schedule depending on how often you use them. You can spot-clean the boots for any noticeable stains. The good news is that once you waterproof your motorcycle boots, you won't need to keep on waterproofing them. After you've waterproofed the boots initially, you can just repeat the treatment to keep up the protective layer. A clean and well-protected motorcycle boot is one that serves you well for a long time. Looking for a motorcycle boot for your next ride? Head over to our footwear section to browse our full range of boots from top brands.