Sick of mud - best way to clean shoes

[moonCowSheep]

Realise this is a very trivial post but arrrg I’m sick of mud being everywhere. We have only patio type doors at back we use to come in and out house and they are open onto kitchen so I feel like I’m living in dirt constantly. The mat always looks grubby even with newspapers down (which in themselves look awful) and there are always shoes drying. Then there is the cleaning of shoes which seems endless. We can’t avoid a muddy path on the school run (everyone uses this same grit path into school and it’s muddy all the time - council won’t do anything even though it’s only way into the school grounds ).

So any tips as it’s getting me down (yes it’s trivial but think it’s a top of iceberg type thing). Any magic mats that don’t show dirt?! Any tips for cleaning shoes quickly?! I currently wait for them to dry a bit then brush off as much mud as can then use wipes to clean off rest. TIA

a boot buddy is really good for getting mud off shoes and we use turtle mats they seem to hold a lot of dirt, we have the darker ones and they don't look too bad even though they get manky and they can go in the washing machine and tumble drier. I hate mud!!

Oh thanks a mag that can be tumbled dried sounds good. I can wash mine but not dry it so it’s just yuck. Does the boot buddy leave the shoes quiet wet? I’m thinking of our mountain warehouse type of waterproof trainers which are material in a lot of places too? Then are they suitable for school shoes? Thanks

I have just brought a boot buddy on a friends recommendation and came on to say the same thing! They are ace. Great for school shoes and trainers.

Boot buddy here too. I also have a boot tray right inside the door where shoes and boots go as soon as they are removed. We do a lot of muddy walks in this house!

And no, the boot buddy does not make the shoes very wet once you get the hang of unscrewing it. You can adjust how much water comes out of it by unscrewing/screwing up the end. They are often on sale too so look around - I got mine from a sports shop.

Looks like I’ll be getting a Boot Buddy thanks

Can you all wear wellies for the walk and the kids change into shoes at school and back again for the walk home?

Probably a somewhat slatternly response, but I'm not sure as I would be cleaning school shoes every day just for them to get covered again. I might push the boat out at the weekend but possibly not

We also have a big plastic boot tray from IKEA which was about £2 and lives in the porch. Every so often I chuck any mud / dirt out the back door and swoosh it about with a mop.

My older child refuses to wear wellies anymore - I think it’s due to changing at school etc especially on dry days (but damp so mud still there) or else that would be far easier!!