When searching for the ideal work boots, quality is one of the essential elements you need to consider. But with that said, even the highest quality work boots wouldn’t last you long enough without proper care and maintenance. And considering the dangerous and harsh conditions that these boots get exposed to, the need for proper maintenance is a must. You can check this list of boots in Stride Wise.
Without taking proper care of your work boots, they’ll not serve you for as long as you’d want. These are aspects you shouldn’t compromise at all cost to ensure your work boots remain functional for a prolonged period. To help you out with this issue, here’s an overview of valuable tips to ensure your work boots last despite exposure to harsh working conditions.
Make Sure To Dry Out Your Work Boots
Moisture is an enemy to your work boots as it hastens how fast they get destroyed. Because of this, it’s vital to ensure your boots are at all times appropriately dried anytime they get wet inside due to sweat or rainwater. To do this, you need to use a shoetree or boot dryer to remove all the moisture inside your boots. Another innovative trick you can implement includes placing newspapers inside your boots to absorb any moisture.
While it’s crucial you ensure your work boots are dry at all times, never make the mistake of microwaving them. This only destroys your work boots a lot faster despite making them dry because it eventually causes them to start cracking. Therefore, your efforts end up being counterproductive as they quickly propel how fast your work boots get damaged.
Ensure Your Work Boots Are Clean
Regardless of the features of work boots, they’re bound to get dirty as you go about your duties. While this is normal, you still need to set aside some time to clean them regularly to get rid of the dirt. Doing this is essential because dirt can destroy your boot’s color and overall durability in the long run. To remove the dirt, you should buy a rough surface scrubber with poly bristles as this is effective in removing the mud, dirt and dust from your boots.
As you clean your work boots, it’s best to do a thorough job, which involves taking off the insoles and laces. After that, go ahead and start cleaning your boots using lukewarm water. Using a shoe cleaning product is also advised if the boots are soiled excessively.
Waterproof Your Boots
Work boots are usually designed to be sturdy enough to withstand exposure to moisture caused by situational and environmental factors. With that said, it’s still important you do your due diligence to further enhance their resistance. A great way of doing this is by waterproofing your work boots right after buying them. This way, your mind will be at ease knowing your boots are safeguarded from the elements.
You should both waterproof the inside and the outside of your boots. But before you start to waterproof the external parts, make sure your boots are clean. After this, here are the steps to follow to ensure your work boots are properly waterproofed without taking much of your time;
- Get an appropriate treatment depending on your work boot’s material
- Apply the treatment
- Apply on the boots a suitable waterproof spray
- Use some wax if you’ve got leather or suede work boots. To do this, warm it up and rub it onto your shoes using a cloth. Once you’re done, get a new cloth or towel to remove the excess wax.
- Apply a fitting cream that’ll depend on the material. After that, wipe the excess away using a clean cloth or towel.
- Give the boots time to dry completely before using them.
The inside of your boots doesn’t need much waterproofing as the interior is usually waterproofed already. Therefore, all you need to do is use a protective spray suitable for your boot’s material. Thoroughly spray the inside of your boots before wearing them.
Regularly Apply Cream
Dirt and water after a while can remove your leather boot’s natural properties. To revitalize their look, there are boot creams you can apply regularly. Without doing this, the leather develops cracks as time passes by. This typically starts to happen because hard leather starts to get destroyed due to its inflexible nature.
When applying the cream, start by melting it using a hairdryer because it’s usually hard right after opening. Using your bare hands, apply the cream to your shoes as this guarantees the coat is smooth. Also, your leather boots will become a lot more flexible and retain their shape.
Takeaway
Work boots ideally should last for around a year. But even those of exceptional quality won’t last if you don’t take care of them as they constantly get exposed to chemicals, water and intense heat. To avoid such a scenario make sure to implement the tips mentioned above when maintaining them.
