I’m the Queen of Clean, my nifty 69p hack will save parents hours of time when it comes getting football boots sparkling
THE summer of sport has the nation buzzing as England kicked off their Euro 2024 campaign against Serbia on Sunday Night.
While millions are glued to their screens, over 2 million children in the UK are lacing up their boots to emulate their football heroes, but according to research parents spend 26 hours cleaning football boots.
To make parents’ lives easier, MandM enlisted the help of the Queen of Clean, Lynsey Crombie, to share her top tips on how to get your child’s boots looking pristine and game-ready.
“As a parent, you’ve probably faced the challenge of cleaning your child’s muddy football boots more times than you can count. But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered,” she says.
“For those times when you need a quick fix after each game, just bash off as much mud as you can, wipe over with a warm soapy cloth, dry off, and spritz a little dry hair shampoo or sprinkle talc powder to soak up any nasty odours.
“This will keep the boots smelling fresh until the next big clean – and what’s better is that it takes less than 5 minutes to do. Saving you 22 hours a year!
“There’s no doubt that football boots can end up accumulating a hefty amount of mud – especially during those wet days.
“When a deep clean is needed, follow my step-by-step guide to keeping those boots spotless and in top condition.”
Start by Removing the Mud:
First things first, let that mud dry. It’s much easier to clean off dry mud. Once the mud is dry, tap the boots together outside to knock off those big clumps.
Then, grab a stiff brush or even a blunt knife and give them a good scrub to get rid of as much mud as you can. This will make the next steps a breeze.
Remove the Laces and Insoles:
Next, take out the laces and insoles. Not only does this make it easier to clean every nook and cranny of the boots, but it also allows you to give these parts a thorough clean separately. Plus, it will give the boots a much fresher smell.
Rinse the Boots with Water:
Rinse the boots gently under the cold water tap. Be careful here – avoid hot water as it can damage the materials. The goal is to remove any loose dirt and debris that’s still hanging around.
Prepare a Bowl of Warm Soapy Water:
Now, it’s time to mix up a little magic! Take a bowl and mix a small amount of mild detergent, like washing-up liquid – which you can pick up for 69p, with warm water. This will be your cleaning solution.
Give the Boots a Good Scrub:
Dip a soft brush or cloth into your soapy water and gently scrub the boots. Pay special attention to those stubborn dirty spots.
Clean the Sole and the Studs:
Don’t forget the soles! Use a stiff brush to clean the soles and make sure you get all the mud and debris out of the studs. Clean studs mean better grip on the field!
Rinse Well:
Rinse the boots thoroughly with cold water to wash away all the soap. You don’t want any residue left that could damage the material or cause discomfort.
Clean the Laces and the Insoles:
If the laces are muddy and the insoles are a bit smelly, give them a good soak in your warm soapy water.
A little scrub will do wonders, then rinse them well. They’ll be as good as new!
Dry Them Well:
Here’s a crucial step – drying! Stuff the boots with newspaper or paper towels to help them retain their shape and soak up any moisture.
Let them air dry at room temperature, away from direct heat sources like radiators or sunlight, which can cause the materials to crack or warp.
Apply Some Leather Conditioner:
If your child’s boots are made of leather, don’t skip this step. Once they’re dry, apply a leather conditioner to keep the material supple and prevent cracking.
Put Them Back Together:
Finally, once everything is dry, reinsert the insoles and lace up the boots. Your child’s football boots will look and feel as good as new, ready for the next match!”