How to Clean Hunter Boots

Co-authored by Melissa Maker

Last Updated: October 21, 2021 References Approved

Hunter boots are type of rubber wellington boot that will last you for many seasons to come if they are taken care of properly. Clean dirt off the boots regularly using warm water and dish soap and remove any scuff marks using an eraser. Keep your Hunter boots clean on the inside by stuffing them with newspaper if they get wet and using vinegar or baking soda to keep them smelling fresh. Rubber bloom, which is the white, powdery particles that appear on Hunter boots from time to time, can be simply buffed away to keep your boots looking as good as new!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Removing Dirt and Scuff Marks

1
Take the boots outside and knock them together to remove excess dirt. Hold the top of 1 boot in each hand. Knock the boots together several times so that the heels collide. Any large pieces of debris or mud will fall to the ground.^{[1]
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- It’s essential to do this outside to avoid making a large mess inside your home.
- This will save you a lot of time during the cleaning process because there will be less mud to remove.
2
Mix warm water with dish soap in a spray bottle. Measure out 1 L (0.26 US gal) of warm water in the spray bottle. Add 4.9 mL (1 tsp) of dish soap into the spray bottle with the warm water. Close the bottle and shake it well to make the mixture bubble.^{[2]
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3
Spray the boots with the dish soap mixture and let it sit for 3 minutes. Place the boots into either a utility sink or a large plastic container. Spray the full exterior of the boots, including the soles. Be careful not to spray the mixture inside the boots.^{[3]
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- If you clean your boots in a plastic container, you can simply pour the mud and water outside when you are done.
4
Use a clean rag to wipe the dirt off the boots. After 3 minutes, use a rag to wipe the soap and dirt away. Start at the top of the boots and work your way down towards the soles.^{[4]
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- Rinse out the cloth with water if it gets too dirty.
- If your boots have zippers, use the rag to gently brush down the zippers. This will remove any stuck dirt.
5
Scrub the soles of the boots with a scrubbing brush if necessary. If there is still dirt left on the soles of the boots, add more water and scrub it away using a brush. In most cases, however, using a rag with warm soapy water will be enough to clean the soles.^{[5]
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6
Wipe the boots with a clean rag and then let them air-dry. Take a clean rag and gently wipe the soapy water off the boots. Then place the boots upright in the shade to finish drying.^{[6]
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- You cannot dry Hunter boots in a dryer.
- Avoid drying or storing your Hunter boots directly in the sun. This is because the heat can damage the rubber which will shorten its lifespan.
7
Rub an eraser on any scuff marks to remove them. Gently rub a clean pencil eraser over any scuff marks on the exterior of the boots. Use the same motion that you would to remove pencil markings.^{[7]
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- Wipe the boots with a clean rag to remove the eraser debris.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Cleaning the Interior

1
Wear socks with your boots at all times. Socks help to absorb moisture and odor from inside the boots. This will help to keep the interior clean over time.^{[8]
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- Never leave wet socks inside your boots, as otherwise, mildew will form.
2
Stuff your boots with newspaper if they get wet on the inside. Bundle up newspaper sheets and tightly stuff them inside each boot. Remove the newspaper after a few hours and let the boots air dry for 24-48 hours.^{[9]
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- The newspaper will soak up the excess water. This will prevent mold from growing inside the boots.^{[10]
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- Alternatively, you can use moisture absorbing packets such as silica packets or cedar balls to soak up the excess water.^{[11]
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3
Use diluted vinegar to remove unpleasant odors from your boots. Mix together a solution of vinegar and water in a spray bottle, with equal parts of each. Mist the full interior of the boot lightly, right down to the toe and then gently mop up any excess liquid using a paper towel. Once you have removed as much liquid as possible, leave the boots in a cool place for 24-48 hours to fully dry.^{[12]
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- Don’t worry about the strong smell of the vinegar. The smell of vinegar disappears once it dries.
- If you can still smell a bad odor after cleaning the boots with vinegar, repeat the process of misting the interior and drying the boots again. This should fully clear away the smell.
4
Place baking soda into each boot to absorb moisture and odors. Sprinkle 2-3 teaspoons (14-21 grams) of baking soda into each boot. Make sure that is spread out from the heel to the toe. Leave it there overnight and simply shake your boots out upside down in the morning to remove any excess powder.^{[13]
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- You can use baking soda in your Hunter boots as regularly as necessary. You will probably need to use it more often if you wear your boots during warmer, summer months.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Getting Rid of Rubber Bloom

1
Use the official care kit for the best chance at removing the rubber bloom. The company that sells Hunter boots also sell many care supplies that are specially designed to remove the white, powdery film that happens from time to time. Spray your boots with the rubber buff product and use a cleaning cloth to rub it into the exterior of the each boot. Once your boots have dried, apply the boot shine product using a circular motion to make your boots look new and shiny.^{[14]
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- Rubber bloom is a completely normal process that happens with Hunter boots and it doesn’t mean that your boots are damaged. It occurs when insoluble particles from high quality rubber rise to the surface of the material. Only the appearance of the boots is affected.
2
Apply a tire cleaning product for a quick way to remove rubber bloom. Find a product that is especially designed for rubber tires, as this will be able to buff both your boots and car tires. Spray a tire cleaning product onto a clean rag and buff the exterior of the boots using a small, circular motion. Alternatively, rub the boots with tire cleaning wipes to remove the rubber bloom.^{[15]
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- Let the boots air-dry in the shade after using either tire cleaning spray or wipes.
- You can purchase tire cleaning products from automotive stores and many department stores.
3
Use 1 tsp (4.9 ml) of olive oil for an easy home remedy. Pour the olive oil onto a clean rag. Rub the olive oil all over your boots, excluding the soles as this would make them slippery. The boots will absorb the oil, so they won’t feel greasy to touch once they have dried.^{[16]
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- Although using olive oil has mixed results for removing rubber bloom from Hunter boots, this solution is worth a try if you don’t want to spend money on the official care products.^{[17]
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Community Q&A
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Question

Why do Hunter boots turn white?

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This is called “bloom.” It happens when particles in the rubber rise to the surface of the boot. It’s a totally normal process with rubber boots. You can get rid of the bloom by gently buffing it away, then shining the boots.
Question

Can you wear Hunter boots in the snow?

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Regular Hunter boots are made for wet weather, but may not keep you as warm as you’d like. However, Hunter also makes boots that are designed for colder conditions.
Question

How long do Hunter boots last?

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Hunter boots come with a 2-year warranty against faulty workmanship. However, with proper care, they may last much longer! Some Hunter boot owners report having a favorite pair stay in good shape for many years.

Warnings

Never spray any shining treatments on the soles of Hunter boots. This is because they will become slippery which increases your risk of falling.^{[19]
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