How to Clean Ruffwear Dog Boots and Boot Liners

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Remove boots and inspect paws and gear

Take off each boot, note which feet use each size, and remove any liner. Check the dog’s paws separately for redness, cuts, embedded grit or snowmelt residue. Inspect boot tread, upper fabric, seams and closure for wear. Cleaning cannot restore a separating outsole or make a poorly fitting boot safe. Keep front and rear pairs organized because Ruffwear sells boots in pairs and many dogs need different sizes at each end.

Step 2: Knock out dry dirt before washing

Open the boots and use a dry cloth or soft brush to remove loose soil from the interior, tread channels and closure. Ruffwear begins its boot routine with loose dirt and dust removal. Pull hair and grass from hook-and-loop tape without sharp picks. Dry removal prevents stones from entering the washer and keeps mud from spreading inside the upper. Treat heavy road salt with a prompt fresh-water rinse rather than allowing crystals to abrade fabric.

Step 3: Secure every strap and closure

Close hook-and-loop straps in their normal aligned position so they do not snag mesh, other boots or the laundry bag. Remove only components designed to detach. Put small boots in a mesh bag when it helps contain pairs without changing the care label. Do not wash boots with delicate human clothing or use a cycle with high-speed aggressive agitation. Check that one closure is not folded against a dirty tread where it cannot clean properly.

Step 4: Machine wash cold on gentle

Ruffwear permits common boots including Grip Trex to be machine washed in cold water on a gentle cycle with mild detergent. Use a modest dose and skip bleach, fabric softener and stain chemicals. Wash liners separately or in their own mesh bag so grit from outsoles is not ground into them. Do not use hot water to dissolve salt faster. The Vibram or synthetic outsole and fabric upper are designed as a unit, not for dishwasher cleaning or prolonged soaking.

Step 5: Rinse residue and inspect hidden areas

Let the full cycle rinse detergent away, then inspect inside the toe, under straps and at the upper-to-sole seam. If suds or salt remain, use a controlled clean-water rinse rather than adding fragrance. Do not wring boots or twist the tread against the upper. Check liners for retained detergent and repeat a gentle rinse if needed. A persistent odor can indicate incomplete drying or contaminated storage, not a need for bleach.

Step 6: Air-dry boots and liners completely

Open the boot cuffs and place boots where air can move through them, with liners removed. Ruffwear says to air dry and excludes clothes-dryer heat. Rotate them and check the enclosed toe before judging them finished. Do not place on a radiator, use a hair dryer or leave rubber soles in intense sun. Liners, especially at seams, may dry at a different rate from boots and should remain separate until both are fully dry.

Step 7: Re-pair, fit and test before the next outing

Match boot sizes to the correct paws and reinstall only clean dry liners. Put the boots on, secure closures, and confirm they are snug without constricting the leg. Watch a short indoor walk for twisting, rubbing or changed retention. Replace gear with damaged tread, seams or straps. Store clean boots open and dry, not in a damp storage bag. Future cleaning frequency should follow exposure to salt and mud rather than waiting for a visible heavy crust.