Our Top Tips for Looking After Your Wellingtons, Boots and Rubber Shoes

Posted by Becs Jeffery on 30th October, 2023

____________________________________________________________________

One of the best things about wellington boots is the joy of getting them wet and muddy.

At Lakeland Active we're big fans of mud and rain (we have to be, we're based in Cumbria) but we also know that you'll probably want to clean off the excess mud at the end of the day. It's important to look after your rubber footwear to make sure it lasts and stays looking great, so we've put together some handy tips for caring for your new wellington boots, ankle boots, muck shoes or rubber clogs. 

____________________________________________________________________

Cleaning Your Rubber Footwear

All our wellington boots, short boots, ankle boots, muck shoes and backless clogs are made from premium natural rubber. This means you should only clean your footwear with cold water or a damp cloth, we do not recommend using any soap, solvents or detergents.

To take the best care of your footwear you should wipe clean or rinse the exterior after every use to remove excess mud and dirt, this helps to protect the natural rubber from wearing out or cracking. 

You could also choose to use a rubber conditioner, applying these products regularly can help to extend the life of your rubber footwear.

If your wellington boots come with removable insoles (like our Lyzzick wellington boots and Kelton ankle boots), these can be removed from inside the boot, washed separately in warm soapy water and left out to dry. 

____________________________________________________________________

Drying Your Rubber Footwear

We do not recommend drying your footwear beside, leaning against or resting on top of a radiator as this could dry the rubber too quickly and damage the natural oils.

It is best to dab away any extra moisture inside and outside the footwear with kitchen-roll and leave them to dry naturally. Condensation may naturally form as your footwear dries, this is not an indication of leakage.

It is always best to ensure that the lining on your footwear is dry before wearing them again.

____________________________________________________________________

Storing Your Rubber Footwear

It is best to store your rubber footwear upright indoors in a cool and dry environment. It should be kept away from direct sunlight and any heat sources such as radiators, log burners, open fires or heated flooring.

You should also not store your wellington boots, short boots, ankle boots, muck shoes and clogs in temperatures below 5°C.

____________________________________________________________________

White Marks or Powdery Residue On Your Rubber Footwear

You might occasionally discover white marks or a white powdery residue on the surface of your wellington boots, short boots, ankle boots, muck shoes and backless clogs. This is totally normal for products made from natural rubber, this process is called 'blooming' and it occurs when natural oils/wax rise to the surface of the rubber. 

This powdery residue is not a defect with your footwear - you can wipe this blooming away with a warm, dry, soft cloth. 

____________________________________________________________________

If you have any specific questions about caring for your Lakeland Active wellington boots and rubber footwear please contact our friendly customer service team on 01228 217 205 or hello@lakelandactive.co.uk

Share your photos with us on Instagram: #GetLakelandActive