After a weekend of wild weather across the UK, many Brits are reaching for their wellies as they venture out into the cold.
Caked in mud from previous outings, our much-maligned wellie boots are often discarded after every wear with not a thought for giving them a good clean first.
Worn-out boots can be less than effective. This can be especially frustrating with icy temperatures and Arctic conditions forecast to continue into the run up to Christmas.
Over time, wellies can lose their shine and durability, making regular care essential for keeping them water tight and warm. Fortunately, the experts at Joules have shared their top tips for keeping your boots in tip-top condition.
From simple cleaning techniques to maintenance advice, these steps can help extend the lifespan of your wellies, ensuring they’re ready for whatever the rest of the winter weather throws your way.
Viv Hamill, senior footwear technologist at Joules, explains that you should always try to clean your wellies as soon as you take them off, even when on-the-go.
The expert said: “If you’ve been out on a particularly muddy or icy day, you’ll want to make sure your wellies are clean before getting back in the car. I would recommend keeping a bristle brush and a large bottle of water in the boot for when you don’t have access to cleaning supplies so that you can loosen the mud from the sole of your wellies.”
When it comes to your wellies, storage is just as important as cleaning to ensure they live a long life. “To make sure your wellies keep their shape you should use a boot tree, this will prevent them from folding over when not being used,” Viv added.
“Alternatively, you can use household items to do this – stuffing your wellies with scrunched-up newspaper or old tea towels will achieve the same effect.”
Viv has broken down the best way to clean your wellies to ensure they last for many winters to come.
Let the mud dry: Before cleaning, allow the mud on your wellies to dry. Once dry, knock the boots together to remove as much mud as possible.
Clean the zip: If your wellies have a zip, ensure you remove any mud from between the teeth to prevent it from clogging and jamming the zip.
Wipe down the boots: Dampen a microfibre cloth in soapy water and use it to wipe down the entire surface of your wellies, removing any remaining dirt or grime.
Clean the insoles: Take out the insoles and wash them separately with soapy water and a microfibre cloth.
Dry naturally: Leave your wellies and insoles to dry naturally, away from direct heat sources such as radiators. To speed up drying, stuff the boots with newspaper to absorb excess moisture.
There are certain other factors that can also impact how long your wellies will withstand the elements.
Viv explains: “To make sure your wellies last you should avoid prolonged exposure to freezing conditions.
“You should store your wellies somewhere cool and dry as well as out of direct sunlight, this will keep the rubber from perishing thus increasing the life span of your wellies.”
