Wellington boots are a great footwear item to have. They keep your feet dry and warm, even in the wettest, muddiest conditions. The rubber is lightweight and comfortable, but also sturdy enough to withstand water, mud, and snow. Your boots may protect your feet, but it’s also important that you, in turn, protect your boots so that they can keep doing their job. If you take the steps needed to care for your wellies, they will keep your feet warm and dry for years to come.
Selecting Your Wellington Boots
You can start protecting your wellies when you first buy them. This may sound strange, but if you start by choosing boots that fit you properly, in terms of size and style, this can help keep them safe. Wellies that are too big or too small for your feet can become damaged more quickly, as they will not fit you properly. If they are too small, your feet will stretch them and if they are too big, your feet will rub and wear away the inside lining.
Likewise, you should choose the correct style of rubber boots, depending on your needs. There are many varieties of strength and sturdiness available to you, depending on what you wish to use them for. If you purchase lighter boots that are designed to just be waterproof and you wear them while trekking through mud, this can cause them to wear out faster. So it’s important to choose the right type of boot for your intended purpose. Merry People Wellington Boots are perfect for everyday wear, combining fashion with function.
Using Your Wellies Correctly
On the topic of using your wellington boots for their chosen purpose, you can also protect them by being mindful of when and where you wear them. The sturdiest boots can be used for heavier mud and snow, however, you need to remember that rubber boots can be prone to scratches, especially if you wear them in thick brush. Scratches not only look unsightly, but they can also become worse over time and lead to cracks in the rubber, which will render your boots no longer usable.
Cleaning Your Rubber Boots
It is important to keep your wellington boots clean since doing so will help keep them in good working condition. Wellies are designed to get dirty when being used, but allowing dirt to remain on them can wear them out more quickly. Ideally, you will want to clean the outside of your boots after each use, including the soles, to remove any dirt or mud. You should not need to clean the inside as often unless you notice that they start to smell or you have gotten the inside wet. Always use gentle cleaning products to wash your boots and never put them in the washing machine. You should also be mindful to only use softer cloths, so you don’t accidentally scratch your boots.
Conditioning Your Rubber Boots
This may sound odd to people who have never done this, but you can purchase and use a specialised silicone rubber treatment for your boots. It is designed to both protect the rubber and keep it soft, as a way to prevent damage and prolong the boot's lifespan. Rubber can become weakened even with regular use, which is why applying a high-quality rubber treatment with silicone like in our Merry People Care Kit can help keep them strong and moisturised to prevent cracking. You will want to do this regularly and apply liberal amounts to your boots when doing so. Regular application of rubber treatment will keep your boots both strong and soft while maintaining their comfort and quality.
Storing Your Wellington Boots
When you are not using your boots, you will want to store them in an appropriate place to keep them protected. Ideally somewhere dark, dry, and well-ventilated.
Exposure to light for long periods can cause the boots to discolour or fade. While you may consider this a purely cosmetic concern, it is important to remember that when rubber discolours, this is a sign of a chemical reaction occurring. And this reaction can weaken the rubber, which will result in your boots wearing out faster.
You also need to ensure that your boots are stored in a dry place and that they are not damp when you put them away. Exposing your boots to moisture and then putting them away without allowing for proper drying can damage your boots and also cause mould to grow.
Finally, you should store your rubber boots in a place that is well-ventilated and cool, but not cold. Extreme temperatures can cause your rubber boots to dry out and crack. For this reason, you should also never store them outdoors in direct sunlight.
Repairing Cracks Or Damage
You may worry that if your wellies have a crack in them, they will need to be thrown away. If the crack is serious, then that may be the case. But luckily, you can easily repair minor cracks and keep them from expanding. All you need to do is purchase some shoe repair adhesive such as Sugru, along with a specialised rubber boot treatment to fix the crack. It’s best to do this as soon as you notice the crack since it will only become worse over time. After you have repaired the crack, you must follow the above advice around proper use, cleaning, storage, and conditioning to prevent further cracks and better prolong the lifespan of your rubber boots.
