How to clean Le Chameau Wellies
Caring for your Le Chameau's is paramount to their performance and longevity, but don't let that put you off. With a little help from a few care products and handy tips; our helpful guide will show you all the ways to keep your Le Chameau wellies in tip top condition.
Washing
For thick wet mud, hose down your wellies with clean water, don't be tempted to use detergents or soaps to clean them as this can start to break down the rubber. For dry caked on dirt, use a bristle brush to coax away the mud and a damp sponge or cloth to wipe away any remaining patches. The important part is allowing your boots to dry naturally away from any artificial heat like a radiator or fire.
Care Products
There are two Le Chameau products that will benefit the lifespan of your wellies: Care Spray and the Care Sponge. Le Chameau have specially formulated a rubber spray to nurture the unique Chamolix rubber. The spray helps to enrich the rubber with moisture to keep it supple and flexible as intended. To use: once you have brushed and wiped your boots down to a clean standard, simply spray their surface all over holding the can approximately 30cm away. Using a cloth, buff the formula into the boot's rubber until you are happy that they have been saturated and their healthy shine has returned. Le Chameau's Boot Care Kit features a great quality natural brush for mud removal, and a 80ml boot spray with its own branded microfibre cloth for a one-stop care product. The Le Chameau Care Sponge is a nifty little tool to keep in your utility box, and can be used with or without the rubber spray alongside it. The sponge is pre-treated with a silicon formula to help restore some gleam back into your wellies. Use much the same as the spray, once your wellies have been brushed and wiped clean, work the sponge into the surface of your Le Chameau's until you are satisfied with their restored shine. Supple boots kept clean and moisturised will last for years which is why its imperative to keep them clean and treated. Leaving your wellies with mud and grime will eventually break down the rubber and lead to cracking.
Taking your wellies off
As tempting as it is to pull your boots off using your other foot or a nearby step, this can cause the rubber to stretch and come away from the heel unit. If you don't have a nominated family member to help you, then a boot jack will be your new best friend. A wooden boot jack is cut to the shape of the heel, allowing you to slot your boot into it and use your other foot to put weight on the back for leverage. Not only is this method hands free but it helps your back by preventing the need to bend over and pull, putting strain on your back and balance.
Storing your Le Chameau's
While the cleaning and removal of your boots is inherently important, proper storage of your Le Chameau wellies will help greatly in prolonging their lifespan. Keep your boots fresh by storing them in a cool, dry area away from direct sunlight. Never allow your wellies to sit folded over or bent out of shape as this will stretch the rubber, making it more prone to tearing. To prevent this, stuffing them with an old towel or some newspaper is a good way to both help them dry quicker by absorbing excess moisture and retaining their shape. Going away with your wellies? Make sure to keep your Le Chameau's in good condition while on the road with a Le Chameau Wellington Boot Bag. This sturdy bag features a ventilation mesh side for air circulation and moisture release. Transporting your wellies in a boot bag will not only allow you an easy way to carry them, but it also offers a great way to keep them separated from the rest of your car boot items after a muddy walk or shoot. To clean, simply wipe down and leave to air out with the sides open.
Useful Zip Tips
- For zipped wellingtons like the Chasseur range, be careful to keep the zip clean and free of dirt to prevent wear and tear.
- Spraying Boot Spray along the zip before the first time you use them, and ideally after each use will keep the zip running smoothly
- Don't leave the zip undone when wearing the boots as this can put pressure on the seams and increase the chance of dirt and grit getting inside the zip track.
- If you feel resistance on the zip, never force it
Le Chameau Leather Boots
Although renowned for their rubber wellington range. Le Chameau have branched into the world of leather boots - and are making quite the splash. The same innovative design and high quality materials have gone into the leather boot range, resulting in a line of luxury footwear for every day life - not just on rainy days. The advice for caring for your Le Chameau Chelsea boots differs slightly from their rubber care and its worth getting right to get the very best out of your boots. It's vital to keep your Le Chameau leather boots clean. For laced boots like the
Le Chameau La Parisienne Boots or
the La Chukka Cuir Boot, in need of a deep clean, you should remove the laces in order to get to any embedded dirt in the uppers. Wash them in warm water to rid them of any dirty or grime. Using a stiff bristle brush, remove any built up mud in the tread. You can use any leather cleaner on a cotton cloth and wiped all over the boots to remove any stubborn marks or stains. It is vital to allow them to air dry away from artificial heat or in direct sunlight. You may consider treating your boots every few months with a leather conditioner to keep them supple and moisturized. If you've yet to discover the world of Le Chameau or perhaps are looking to add to your collection, check out our blog post: Welly Boot Buying Guide for all you need to help you choose your Le Chameau sole-mate. Of course, as always our friendly customer service team is on hand on 01573 224 620 Monday - Saturday to help you. If you have any tried and tested ways to care for your favourite wellies, tell us all about it on our socials using the hashtag #HumesOutandAbout
