How to Wash and Disinfect Shoes and Work Boots

Additional COVID-19 Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

World Health Organization (WHO)

If not listed, please check with your local agency for the most up-to-date information.

The Last Step is Just as Important as the First One!

Once your boots are clean and dry, maintain the exterior leather footwear with a professional grade silicone-based polish such as our HAIX® polish. Petroleum based products may be flammable and may significantly reduce the flame or heat resistance of your footwear as well as affect the leather’s breathability.

With all the uncertainty going on in the world due to COVID-19, Firefighters, EMT’s and Law Enforcement professionals can be exposed to blood, body fluids, and viruses while on the job. Many HAIX® customers ask what they should do if their boots get exposed to blood or body fluids, especially those of a potentially infected patient. While nothing can 100% guarantee non-transmission of COVID-19 or any other pathogen, or the 100% elimination of viruses from your footwear, we can provide guidance on keeping yourself protected with regard to your footwear. Here's how to wash and disinfect your shoes and work boots.

For the outside of your footwear, most cleaning can be done with a soft cloth or brush and mild soap and water. But, if you have had a potential exposure to a chemical, virus, bacteria or fungus, HAIX® has some recommendations for cleaning and disinfecting your footwear. Remove footwear from service until they can be cleaned and disinfected. (Please note this pertains to exposures to the exterior of your boots and not direct exposure to the interior of your boots or inner liner).

Cleaning and decontaminating your HAIX boots

HAIX® recommends decontamination of the exterior leather with a disinfectant spray that is strong enough to kill the most dangerous viruses, yet safe enough to use on children’s toys. Disinfectants used on HAIX® boots need to have an EPA IV toxicity rating; the lowest rating assigned by the Federal EPA and be rated to not cause skin irritation associated with traditional disinfectants. This would be safest for the leather. The disinfectant must be strong enough to kill the most dangerous viruses (Norovirus) and bacteria (MRSA) in a hospital environment, and EPA registered for use on children's toys at home. Disinfectant spray must meet the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) criteria for use against the spread of COVID-19 and be registered by the EPA to kill human Coronavirus with its demonstrated effectiveness against these pathogens. Disinfectant should contain no alcohol, bleach or other toxic ingredients. One example of a disinfectant spray that meets the above criteria is PureGreen24. Always follow the manufacturer’s directions for use.

Further information on the use and care of HAIX® NFPA footwear can be found here.

More about NFPA 1851 HAIX® training in regard to inspection, cleaning and retirement of your HAIX® NFPA footwear can be found here.

With all the uncertainty going on in the world due to COVID-19, Firefighters, EMT’s and Law Enforcement professionals can be exposed to blood, body fluids, and viruses while on the job. Many HAIX® customers ask what they should do if their boots get exposed to blood or body fluids, especially those of a potentially infected patient. While nothing can 100% guarantee non-transmission of COVID-19 or any other pathogen, or the 100% elimination of viruses from your footwear, we can provide guidance on keeping yourself protected with regard to your footwear. Here's how to wash and disinfect your shoes and work boots.

For the outside of your footwear, most cleaning can be done with a soft cloth or brush and mild soap and water. But, if you have had a potential exposure to a chemical, virus, bacteria or fungus, HAIX® has some recommendations for cleaning and disinfecting your footwear. Remove footwear from service until they can be cleaned and disinfected. (Please note this pertains to exposures to the exterior of your boots and not direct exposure to the interior of your boots or inner liner).

Cleaning and decontaminating your HAIX boots

HAIX® recommends decontamination of the exterior leather with a disinfectant spray that is strong enough to kill the most dangerous viruses, yet safe enough to use on children’s toys. Disinfectants used on HAIX® boots need to have an EPA IV toxicity rating; the lowest rating assigned by the Federal EPA and be rated to not cause skin irritation associated with traditional disinfectants. This would be safest for the leather. The disinfectant must be strong enough to kill the most dangerous viruses (Norovirus) and bacteria (MRSA) in a hospital environment, and EPA registered for use on children's toys at home. Disinfectant spray must meet the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) criteria for use against the spread of COVID-19 and be registered by the EPA to kill human Coronavirus with its demonstrated effectiveness against these pathogens. Disinfectant should contain no alcohol, bleach or other toxic ingredients. One example of a disinfectant spray that meets the above criteria is PureGreen24. Always follow the manufacturer’s directions for use.

Further information on the use and care of HAIX® NFPA footwear can be found here.

More about NFPA 1851 HAIX® training in regard to inspection, cleaning and retirement of your HAIX® NFPA footwear can be found here.

Additional COVID-19 Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

World Health Organization (WHO)

If not listed, please check with your local agency for the most up-to-date information.

The Last Step is Just as Important as the First One!

Once your boots are clean and dry, maintain the exterior leather footwear with a professional grade silicone-based polish such as our HAIX® polish. Petroleum based products may be flammable and may significantly reduce the flame or heat resistance of your footwear as well as affect the leather’s breathability.