What's the best way of cleaning football boots?

[BleughCowWonders]

I want to get ds into good habits early :)

(dh no good as he doesn't do sport and grew up where there's no mud... and I can't remember how I dealt with my hockey boots from school days)

Oh I'm so lazy with this! They sit in a plastic bag in the airing cupboard untill the mud dries and then I bang them against the outside wall and that's it.

Cannot be bothered to do anymore than that given that they will be totally trashed within two minutes the next time

Don't have airing cupboard!

So far they've been sitting on doorstep waiting for something to happen to them, but they're not really drying out.

I have experience in this field unfortunately.

bash them together to get mud of the bottom, then a toothbrush and warm water to get round the studs or blades, and rinse.

If they get a bit wet in the process screw up newspaper and put inside the boots followed by a while in the airing cupboard to dry.

DH doesn't do it like that cos he tuts at me-I think people have their own ways of doing it. Worst job of the week!

If no airing cupboard the next warmest place? I'm actually with Cats but DSs team have them inspected by the coach before the match.

Outside with a scrubbing brush kept for the purpose and the garden hose. Don't do it yourself even once or it will Be Your Job Forever!

Seeker - Good point about whose job, but slightly nervous about ds and a garden hose...

No inspection here - I don't think I would keep ds in that team!

Unfortunately no one has suggested just leave it and let the mud build up the following week...

If there isn't a tam inspection, then just leave them somewhere dry then bash th mud out next Saturday morning and give them a wipe ov with a baby wipe.

I put trainers and football boots in the washing machine at 40 with bio powder, along with dog towels. They come out lovely and clean.

Am I doing wrong?

I don't think it's wrong Original. Does it fill the drum and seal with mud? I wouldn't want to put my delicates in after the muddy boots.

I put shin pads in the machine, they get all sweaty on the inside.

Bit at very clean boots and no effort though.

I just asked my DH and he said "if it's a mum asking tell her to make sure he does it himself or he'll never bleeping learn" so helpful dear

He then said either

In the showers after the game
Take studs of into a soapy bucket of water.

No drum seal is not muddy, but does collect dog hair. A quick swipe with an old j cloth sorts that out.

V tempted now Original. Have a least one pair of dirty boots every day though so the washing machine may not be happy.

I think if you put a few towels in, too (helps if you also have a muddy dog) it doesn't harm the machine. I once washed my daughters trainers too hot and the glued parts fell apart...

I stick Ds1 muddy footie boots in the shed after use. Then night before they are needed bang them on the wall mud falls off stick them into a carrier bag JOB DONE :)

if you want to hasten the drying process (esp at this time of year) stand them on newspaper underneath a radiator, pref on an uncarpeted floor (eg kitchen)

when dry, bang together or on wall

then quickly wipe off any superficial grime with eg floorcloth

(yes I KNOW they should do it themselves but the mess when they do is horrendous)