How to Wash and Clean Ski Boot Liners

Ski boot liners are an essential aspect of your setup, but they can take a beating and absorb a lot of moisture from your feet. That means they can get pretty stinky, so knowing how to wash and clean them is a good idea. 

I’m Christine, an avid skier with a lifelong passion for the sport. I’ve learned many tricks over the years to keep all of my gear in good shape, and I clean my boot liners at least a few times every season. 

This post will teach you how to wash and clean ski boot liners. Whether you are dealing with a stinking set of inserts or are just a neat freak, this is a good skill to know how to do. It’s really easy and can keep your boots in good shape for years. 

Keep reading to find out more. 

Why Clean Ski Boot Liners? 

I’ll be honest, I didn’t always know that you could even clean ski boot liners. I used to wear mine out until they were pretty nasty, packed out, and smelt like a pair of dirty old gym shoes. 

But then I had a friend tell me that all I needed to do was clean them up, and they wouldn’t stink so bad. I thought this sounded weird, but I figured I should probably give it a shot. So I did. And I was delighted with the results. 

Ski boots are just like any other type of footwear. They make direct contact with your feet, and if you sweat or just have sweaty feet, this can cause bacteria to build up, which causes bad odors. 

By cleaning up your boot liners every once in a while, you can prevent them from stinking so badly. I think this also helps extend their lifespan, but I don’t have any real proof for that. 

How to Wash and Clean Ski Boot Liners By Hand

I think washing and cleaning your ski boot liners by hand is the best way to get the job done. It’s easy and effective and really doesn’t take that much time or effort. 

Follow these steps to wash and clean ski boot liners by hand: 

1. Take the liners out of your boots. Make sure that you have all of the buckles undone, and then reach your hand inside the boot and grab ahold of a section of the liner. With a bit of tugging and wiggling, they should pop right out. 

2. Fill up a tub, bucket, or sink with cold water. It doesn’t really matter what you use. Just make sure there is enough room to submerge the liners entirely in water. Make sure that you use COLD water. 

3. As the container is filling, mix in some mild cleaning detergent. You can use dish soap, Oxiclean, laundry detergent, or even hydrogen peroxide. Note that Oxilcean and hydrogen peroxide can potentially cause discoloring if the liner is dyed. 

4. Once the container is full of cold water and cleaning detergent, place your liners inside. Make sure that they are completely covered with water. 

5. Let the liners soak for about 10-15 minutes. 

6. You can use an old toothbrush, rag, or soft brush to scrub all over the inside and outside of your liners if you want to. This is an optional step that I always like to do. 

7. Take the liners out of the water and then rinse all the soap off under the tap. Again only use COLD water for this. 

8. Dry your liners out completely, and then put them back into your ski boots. 

*Tips: Cold water is a must for the entire washing and cleaning process. If you use warm or hot water, there is a good chance you might melt or remold the liners. This can ruin them, and you’ll need to get a new pair. 

How to Wash and Clean Ski Boot Liners in the Washing Machine

I know several people who wash their ski boot liners in the washing machine. This makes me nervous, and I have never tried it myself. But if you want to give it a try, I’ll tell you how to do it. 

Follow these steps to wash and clean ski boot liners in the washing machine: 

1. Take the ski boot liners out of your ski boots. 

2. Place them inside of an empty washing machine. 

3. Add a mild detergent. 

4. Run the washing machine on a delicate or basic cycle using only COLD water. 

5. Remove liners from the washer immediately after the cycle is complete. 

6. Let them dry out completely before putting them back into the boot shells. 

*Tips: Again, you must only use COLD water in the washing machine, so the liners don’t get ruined. You also don’t need that much soap or detergent – just a splash will do. I wouldn’t put other items in the wash with your liners either. 

Final Thoughts

Washing and cleaning your ski boot liners is pretty simple. I prefer the hand wash method to the washing machine, but you are welcome to experiment and try either. Just remember to always, always use cold water!

I wouldn’t say that washing your ski boot liners is an absolute must-do maintenance task. If they don’t stink, there’s no real need to clean them up. But if you are dealing with foul odors, follow the steps above to get them cleaned up quickly and effectively.