To keep your gumboots looking great and performing well, regular cleaning and care are key. The best way to clean gumboots is to rinse away dirt after each use, gently scrub with warm soapy water, and let them air dry away from direct sunlight. This simple routine prevents cracking, fading, and odours, helping your boots stay waterproof, comfortable, and stylish through every season.
If you’ve ever wondered how to make gumboots last longer, the answer lies in consistency. A quick clean, proper storage, and the occasional conditioning treatment can significantly extend their lifespan. Whether you’re splashing through puddles, working outdoors, or heading to a festival, taking a few minutes to care for your Merry People gumboots ensures they’ll stay merry (and ready for every adventure) for years to come.
Step-by-Step Process for Cleaning Gumboots
| Step | What to Do | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Remove Dirt and Mud | Rinse or wipe off mud and debris after each wear. | Prevents buildup that can cause cracking or discolouration. |
| 2. Wash Outside with Mild Soap | Use warm water and a small amount of dish detergent to clean the rubber. | Gently lifts grime without damaging the natural rubber. |
| 3. Rinse Soap Off Thoroughly | Wipe away all soap residue with clean water. | Keeps your gumboots smooth and free of streaks. |
| 4. Air Dry | Let gumboots air dry away from direct heat or sunlight. | Prevents warping, fading, and cracking. |
| 5. Condition the Rubber | Apply a rubber treatment spray or silicone conditioner. | Restores moisture and shine to extend boot lifespan. |
| 6. Clean Inside (Optional) | Wipe with diluted detergent and rinse - make sure to air dry. Add baking soda to remove odours. | Keeps the interior fresh and bacteria-free. |
| 7. Store Indoors/Under Cover | Store in a cool, dry place out of sunlight. | Protects the natural rubber and helps your gumboots last longer. |
Caring for Your Gumboots
How to Clean Your Rubber Boots
To keep your boots clean, look no further than our trusty Care Kit. Filled with rubber-loving accessories — a micro-fibre cloth, rubber boot treatment spray and sponge, this kit will help to preserve the life span of your boots. Simply clean, treat, shine and off you go!
Merry People boots are designed to keep you happily splashing through puddles for a long time. But to keep your boots as good as new, you should give them some care by adequately cleaning your rubber boots, both inside and out.
Keeping your boots clean is simple and easy. It’s completely worth it, so that your boots last for years to come.
Here’s a quick guide on how to properly clean and care for your rubber boots:
Cleaning the Outside of Gumboots
Each time you wear your rubber boots, always remove any wet debris or mud from the outside of your boots. Even if you didn’t go anywhere particularly dirty while wearing your boots, it’s essential to ensure that your boots are cleaned well. You’ll want to give your boots a wipe-down before storing them to prevent grime or dust buildup.
If the marks on your rubber boots have dried, use a medium bristle brush to dislodge the grime from your boots to avoid scuff marks. You can switch to a smaller brush, like an old toothbrush, when working on the treads on the soles of your boots.
To remove heavier mud from your boots, make a cleaning solution by mixing a teaspoon of kitchen dish detergent in two cups of warm water. Dip a soft cloth into the cleaning liquid, clean the boots from top to bottom, and rinse your boots with water.
When your rubber boots are free of stains, wipe them down a final time with a soft cloth dipped in warm water. You can also use the rubber boots cleaning treatment and the buff and shine applicator from the Merry Care Kit to finish off the cleaning process. These simple techniques will keep your boots clean. You can use these cleaning techniques on your boots anytime and anywhere.
How to Clean Rubber Boots Inside
Don’t forget to clean the inside of your rubber boots too, otherwise, you might unintentionally turn them into a breeding ground for bacteria. To clean the inside of your boots, mix a teaspoon of heavy-duty laundry detergent and two cups of warm water to make a cleaning solution.
Soak a clean cloth in the mixture, then wipe down the entire interior of your boots. Then, dip another clean cloth in plain warm water and swipe it through the inside to rinse away the cleaning solution.
If you wore the boots in contaminated waters, disinfect them with a solution of pine oil or disinfectant and water. Scrub the inside (and outside!) of your boots with a soft-bristled brush, before leaving the rubber boots to air dry.
While Merry People boots are 100% waterproof, water can sometimes get into your boots. If this happens, absorb as much liquid as possible with a hand towel or dry the interior with a hair dryer for a few seconds at a time. After removing the excess water, stuff the boots with newspaper, then place the shoes upside down somewhere warm and indoors. Remove the newspaper after twenty-four hours.
If needed, repeat the process until the neoprene lining is completely dry. This protects your boots and helps them last for years to come.
If you’ve got a pair of stinky boots, freshen them up by sprinkling about one-fourth cup of baking soda in each dry boot. You can leave the baking soda in your boots overnight, then empty the boots before wearing them the next time. Once your boots are cleaned and smelling nice, you can wear your rubber boots out and about with confidence.
Using & Caring for Your Gumboots
Storage
Merry People boots are made with natural rubber, a softer material that can fade and crack with excessive sun exposure. As such, we recommend you store your boots indoors so they’re not exposed to direct sunlight all of the time. Save the sunlight for your merry adventures!
Wet Boots
Water inside your boots? Stuff the boots with newspaper, then place the boots upside down in a warm place. After twenty-four hours, remove the newspaper & repeat the process if needed until dry.
Cracked Gumboots
As mentioned above, we recommend storing your boots indoors if possible. Constant exposure to the weather can dry your boots out, which over time may result in cracks.
Keeping your boots clean and applying a silicon spray regularly will help add moisture to your boots and help prevent cracking.
Removing Your Boots
We recommend that you use your hands or a shoehorn when removing your Bobbi boots. This will help to avoid putting continual pressure on the sole of the shoe. Remove your boots gently using the pull tabs to keep them in the best condition.
Careful Use
Our gumboots are designed to be a fashionable lifestyle boot; they are not designed to be a work or safety boot and do not have any safety or non-slip accreditations.
As such, the rubber tread may be slippery on particular surfaces, for example polished concrete, ice, and wet wood, so please take care. If you require extra grip on your boots, we recommend a product called ‘traction spray,’ which is available at most local hardware stores.
If something does happen to your boots that you think might be our manufacturing fault, we want to hear about it. Please contact us at support@merrypeople.com.
Staying Merry in Your Clean Rubber Boots
Proper cleaning and maintenance are essential to keeping your Merry People boots in tip-top shape. Remember to always clean your rubber boots inside and out after wearing them!
