Can You Put Football Boots in the Washing Machine?

If your kids’ football boots come home covered in mud after every match, it can be tempting just to quickly throw them in the washing machine and let it do the hard work. Unfortunately, that’s not usually the best way to clean them.

Football boots are made from a mix of materials, adhesives and shaped components that aren’t designed to be directly exposed to the heat, movement and amount of water involved in a typical washing cycle. Washing them by hand takes a little longer, but it’s a much safer way to remove mud and keep your boots in good condition.

The good news is that you don’t need anything complicated. A boot brush can help remove loose mud, stones and excess dirt before washing, while a Buffer Bag allows you to wash your boots in the washing machine.

Should You Clean Football Boots in the Washing Machine?

Putting football boots straight in the washing machine can damage them and potentially the machine too. The combination of soaking and tumbling isn’t ideal for footwear that isn’t designed to withstand it.

The adhesive holding different parts of the boot together can weaken with repeated exposure to water and heat. Synthetic materials can easily lose their shape, while leather boots need particular care to prevent them from drying out and becoming brittle.

Studs and hard soleplates can knock against the inside of the washing machine drum during a cycle, potentially causing damage to your washing machine.

Before washing your boots, remove loose mud, stones and excess dirt with a boot brush. If you plan to machine wash them, use a suitable Buffer Bag and follow the product’s washing instructions.

How to Clean Football Boots by Hand

Start by removing as much loose mud, stones and excess dirt as possible. Knock the soles together outside or use a boot brush to work dirt away from the studs and soleplate. Avoid using anything sharp that could scratch or damage the boot.

Once you’ve removed the loose dirt, take out the insoles and remove the laces. Check the manufacturer’s care instructions before washing the boots, as not all football boots are suitable for machine washing.

If your boots are suitable for machine washing, place them in a Buffer Bag and follow the bag’s washing instructions. This allows you to wash your boots in the machine after brushing away the excess dirt.

If your boots aren’t suitable for machine washing, clean them by hand instead. Mix warm water with a small amount of mild detergent, then use a cloth to gently clean the upper. Use the brush around the studs and soleplate to loosen any remaining mud, taking care not to completely soak leather boots.

Once you’re finished, wipe away any remaining detergent with a clean, damp cloth and leave the boots somewhere well ventilated to dry naturally.

The Best Way to Dry Football Boots

Intense heat can affect the materials and shape of your boots, so don’t leave them on a radiator or use a hairdryer to dry them.

Instead, remove the insoles and laces and leave everything to dry separately. You can loosely stuff the boots with crumpled newspaper or absorbent paper to help them hold their shape and draw out moisture. Replace the paper if it becomes too wet.

A well-ventilated room is ideal. If you need to speed things up, gentle airflow from a fan can help without exposing the boots to excessive heat.

Don’t put wet boots straight back into a kit bag. Trapped moisture creates an ideal environment for unpleasant smells and can leave your boots damp for longer.

Make sure the boots, insoles and laces are properly dry before putting them away.

How to Stop Football Boots From Smelling

Bacteria from sweat and moisture build up inside boots can contribute to football boot smell that develops over time.

The first thing to do is take your boots out of your kit bag as soon as you get home. Leaving damp boots zipped inside a bag gives moisture nowhere to escape.

Remove the insoles and allow them to dry separately. Cleaning them regularly can also help prevent odours from building up.

For an extra bit of help, you can sprinkle a small amount of baking soda inside dry boots and leave it overnight before shaking or vacuuming it out. A footwear deodorising spray can also be useful if your boots need more than a simple airing.

The key is consistency. Letting your boots dry properly after every game is far easier than trying to deal with a strong smell once it has built up.

How Often Should You Clean Football Boots?

Clean your football boots whenever they become muddy, and give them a more thorough clean regularly to prevent dirt and odours building up.

If they’ve only picked up a light layer of dirt, brushing them off and allowing them to air out may be all they need.

After a particularly muddy match, however, you should remove as much dirt as possible before it dries hard. Fresh mud is much easier to clean than a layer that’s been left to dry on the soleplate and upper.

And if you’re carrying muddy boots home in the car, don’t forget to use durable car seat mats, car footwell protectors, and car boot rugs make cleaning up after much easier.

The Best Way to Look After Your Football Boots

Football boots don’t need an elaborate cleaning routine. Remove loose mud before washing, use a Buffer Bag if your boots are suitable for machine washing, and let them dry naturally away from excessive heat.

Check the manufacturer’s care instructions before putting boots in the washing machine, as some materials may need to be cleaned by hand.

If muddy football boots are a regular feature of your weekend, keeping a boot cleaning brush, Buffer Bag and easy-to-clean car mat close by can make the journey home considerably less messy.