How to Clean Salomon Ski Boots and Liners
Salomon ski boots combine rigid shells, removable liners and footbeds, buckles or BOA hardware and standardized sole interfaces. Mud and road salt can affect the shell and bindings, while sweat stays deep inside liners. Salomon's end-of-season guidance calls for removing liners and footbeds, drying them for 24 to 48 hours or until fully dry, cleaning the shell with a damp cloth and keeping all parts away from strong heat and direct sun. BOA-equipped boots add a storage step: after drying and reassembly, close the dial to normal or slightly reduced tension rather than crushing the liner.
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Primary reference: Salomon official ski gear cleaning and storage guidance. Always check the manual for your exact model.
Quick reference
- Shell
- Soft brush and damp cloth; mild soap only if compatible.
- Liner
- Remove, label-directed spot-clean and disinfect only if needed.
- Drying
- 24–48 hours or until fully dry, away from heat and sun.
- BOA storage
- Normal or slightly reduced tension; never over-tightened.
- Shop check
- Cracked shell, worn sole, frayed cable or broken buckle.
What you will need
- The manual and liner label for the exact Salomon boot
- Soft brush
- Soft lint-free cloths
- Warm water
- Small amount of mild soap for compatible shell areas
- Approved liner disinfectant only if needed
- Dry towels
- Room-temperature ventilated drying area
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1: Identify the closure, liner and sole type
Confirm the Salomon model, alpine or touring sole, removable liner and footbed, buckle or BOA closure, and any electronic heating component. Read the label before washing a liner. Remove a battery or heated footbed under its separate instructions. Photograph BOA routing if the manual recommends it; do not disassemble the cable for routine cleaning.
Step 2: Brush off snow, salt and dry mud
Let packed snow melt and drain, then use a soft brush on the shell, sole lugs and buckle recesses. Remove stones from binding-contact areas with a nonmetal tool. Do not scrape the sole interface or file it while cleaning; dimensions and wear affect binding release and require professional evaluation.
Step 3: Remove liners and footbeds
Open buckles or release the BOA system according to the manual, then ease out each liner without yanking its tongue, heel pull or cables. Remove the footbed. Check for trapped gravel, damp foam, torn fabric or shell rivets contacting the liner. Keeping parts separate is essential for full drying.
Step 4: Clean the shell with a damp cloth
Salomon recommends wiping ski boot shells with a damp cloth. Use a small amount of mild soap on exterior grime if the model permits, then wipe with clean water. Keep liquid out of rivets, pivot mechanisms, adjustment screws and BOA dials. Do not use solvent, petroleum cleaner, pressure water or abrasive pads.
Step 5: Clean the liner according to its label
Brush out dry debris and spot-clean the liner with a compatible damp cloth. If odor persists, Salomon permits an approved disinfectant inside the liner in its storage guidance. Do not assume a thermoformable liner is machine-washable, and avoid bleach, soaking, wringing and ordinary fragrance spray. The exact liner label controls any fuller wash.
Step 6: Wipe footbeds and closure hardware
Wipe footbeds with a lightly damp cloth and dry them flat. Brush grit from buckle teeth, catches and accessible BOA cable paths, then wipe without flooding. Do not add household oil to buckles, pivots, cable or dial. A frayed cable, cracked buckle or dial that skips requires the appropriate Salomon or BOA service part.
Step 7: Dry for 24 to 48 hours without heat
Place shells, liners and footbeds separately in moving room-temperature air. Salomon advises allowing roughly 24 to 48 hours or until completely dry. Do not put liners on a radiator, use a hair dryer or leave parts in direct sun. Strong heat can deform shells, alter thermoformed foam and weaken adhesives.
Step 8: Inspect and reassemble
Check the clean shell for cracks, sole wear and loose rivets, and inspect liner seams, heel shape, footbeds and closure hardware. Reinsert dry footbeds and liners without folding them. Route the tongue and cables as designed. A cracked shell or heavily worn binding interface needs a qualified ski shop, not cosmetic repair.
Step 9: Close lightly for storage
Fasten buckles at a light normal setting to preserve shell shape without compressing the liner. For BOA alpine boots, Salomon advises closing the dial after drying at normal or slightly reduced tension, not over-tightening it. Store upright in a cool, dry place away from sun, fuel, rodents and heavy objects.
Specific cleaning questions
Open a question for a concise answer about stains, odors, safety, frequency, and troubleshooting.