Brush for cleaning mucky boots

[Franco]

Hi all don't know if this is a stupid question but do they provide cleaning facilities in the albergues for mucky boots? Otherwise do I have to bring a brush with me to clean off my boots every evening? Many thanks. .Franc

 

[Tia Valeria]

We carry either a small light nail-brush or an old toothbrush for removing mud. Also a tiny pot of our water-proofer cream, and a sponge already rubbed in it, to keep our proofing up (light leather boots)

 

[TerryB]

Hi all don't know if this is a stupid question but do they provide cleaning facilities in the albergues for mucky boots? Otherwise do I have to bring a brush with me to clean off my boots every evening? Many thanks. .Franc

I have been a countryman (farming etc.) all my life and I do not believe in wet feet! Having walked the Camino Primitivo twice in April/May we have seen lots of water and mud and have still managed to keep our feet dry. Light leather boots with gortex lining works for us, although may not for everyone. It depends on how your feet sweat etc.
Leather has one great advantage, it does allow cleaning. I dread to think what mesh footwear will be like after walking through a mixture of cow slurry and mud. (Pig slurry is even worse and I have seen some of that leaking down onto the trail ).
We carry a very simple cleaning kit for use when needed. Total weight without water-proofer = 70 grams. The small pot of balsam = 30 grams. Total weight 100 grams. Well worth taking when walking in these conditions:- Dry feet = no blisters

Our boot cleaning kit. The box is 110 mms x 80 mms x 35 mms.


Blessings on your walking
Tio Tel

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Boot cleaning facilities are rare. An even bigger problem is the absence of a cleaning area outside of albergues, so pilgrims clean their boots in hand or laundry sinks, or even showers. Eventually the silt buildup clogs the drain! It may be best for everyone to let the mud on boots dry (outside), and use a brush to remove the dried dirt (again outside), and settle for boots that are not spotless, but also not caked with mud.

 

[t2andreo]

I carry a small vegetable scrubbing brush, obtained in a dollar store, for a dollar (doh!). Of course, it is since only ever used for my boots.

Using a toothbrush is a similarly good idea, but the veggie brush has longer stiffer bristles, and is actually designed and intended to remove soil from locally or self-grown veggies.

When walking, if my boots are muddy and soiled near the end of the day, I seek a puddle, ditch or suitable trough in which to 'swish' my booted feet around to remove excess mud and soil. Failing a convenient, standing pool of water, long grass or any available non/cosmetic foliage works as well.

The veggie brush is the last line of external boot hygiene. Be sure to wash the brush afterwards...

I hope this helps.

 

[Tia Valeria]

One way to clean the back of the boots is to take a few steps backwards through any long grass. Terry usually sits outside to clean our boots, like he would at home. Sinks are for clothes and wash basins for people. The brush Terry shows in our kit (#3 above) has quite stiff bristles and he cut (and filed) the handle off to make it fit the box.
Looking after boots to keep them clean and dry is only part of the care needed. We also carry some Spanish foot powder (Funsol) to use in our boots, stops smelliness and helps keep them dry. It is really for feet so keeps them in good condition too. I use it at night, Terry in the morning, to keep any fungal infections away and keep dry between our toes.

 

[Mark Lee]

Some of the albergues have garden water hoses out in the yard, and that would be a suitable place to wash off your boots. A couple of times I grabbed a bucket or container and filled it with water and cleaned my shoes out in the grass away from the albergue building. Then laid my shoes out in the sun to dry.
Definitely don't wash your shoes or boots where people handwash their clothes. That's just plain rude.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Why bother, untill you are getting ready to board a plane? They will just get dirty again. As long as the tread is fairly clean to still have grip, who cares? After all, you are not allowed to bring them in the albergue and wear something else as "eveningwear". Unless there are proper facilities to do this, please don't.

 

[Tia Valeria]

I think those of us with leather boots have less of a problem than those with cloth/mesh types. Ours just brush off, either in the long grass or later with a little brush (in an appropriate place), and seldom need much attention. They certainly do not need washing.

 

[DavidsRetired]

I purchased a Denture Brush and found it works extremely well to clean footwear with.

Personally, it’s a good policy to maintain your boots as you would any other piece of kit.

Leaving mud to dry on your footwear, allows the mud to exponentially pull moisture out, and deteriorates and increases the aging process of the material; makes it stiff and brittle over time.

Additionally, the mud/dirt will begin to act like a sandpaper and wear material down, especially at the seams.

But a wholeheartedly agree with the other comments, in regards to keeping the dirt out of the drains; there is always a means to do it safely and without an impact to the plumbing system.

 

[West Coaster]

I took an old paper glue stick and emptied out the remaining glue. I then filled it with boot dubbin. There was enough to work into the boots twice over the 30 day walk. Glad to hear some of you wear leather boots. I recommend them for anybody seriously taking on an expedition. They're a bit of over kill for the Camino, but they'll never let you down.