BOOTSCLE­ANER launches unique work shoe cleaner in with Elis

In the food industry, strict hygiene is standard practice. Clean, hygienic footwear is just as essential. Startup BOOTSCLEANER is introducing the world’s first machine that cleans and dries the inside of work shoes. Hygiene specialist Elis is bringing this innovation to the market.

Cross-contamination

On the shop floor, quality work shoes are a must. At the same time, they can be a serious breeding ground for bacteria and fungi—on the inside as well. And cross-contamination is the last thing any food producer wants. Yet internal cleaning is often overlooked.

Even when the inside is cleaned regularly, challenges remain, as Elis knows all too well. The global player and market leader in textile, hygiene, and facility services, certified under ISO 22000, handles workwear for companies in the food sector—including footwear. And that’s where things get tricky.

Specialised footwear

“In food production, many employees wear special microfibre shoes,” explain Elis quality specialist Alice de Graaff, general manager Jacko Dekker and business development manager Vincent Nibbering. “We clean them in our laundries and then place them in drying cabinets. The issue with microfibre is that it’s water-repellent, so large amounts of water are needed to clean the inside thoroughly. But even then, disinfection isn’t always effective.”

There was also room for improvement in the drying process, they add. Drying normally happens at 37 degrees Celsius to avoid damaging the shoes, but this takes relatively long. What’s more, bacteria left behind can actually thrive at that temperature.

Properly clean

A promising homegrown innovation is now offering a solution. BOOTSCLEANER, developed by the startup of the same name now entering the B2B market, is a combined washer and dryer designed to deliver better disinfection. Elis tested a prototype and subjected its results to extensive testing for bacteria and fungi. Based on the findings, the machine was further refined. Alice: “The interior of the shoes cleaned in the machine is significantly more hygienic. Plus, drying time has been cut by 75 percent.” Developed by BOOTSCLEANER and further optimised through co-creation with Elis, the technology is now tailored not only to Elis’ requirements but also to those of the broader food industry.

UV-C light

The cleaning innovation is powered by UV-C light technology from Signify, formerly part of Philips. UV-C disinfection breaks down the chemical bonds (DNA/RNA) of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, spores, and viruses, preventing them from multiplying, explain BOOTSCLEANER’s managing director Maxim Santifort and operations director Derek Klomp. “Combined with warm air circulation and the addition of our food-grade BOOTSPERFUME, the disinfection process is significantly enhanced. This enables us to meet the stringent hygiene standards of the food industry.”

Elis has been providing many services to renowned companies in the food industry. Vincent: “The BOOTSCLEANER takes care of the inside of the shoes, while our clients continue their efforts on the work floor with tools like brush systems. Together, it’s a strong, integrated solution.”

With pride, BOOTSCLEANER and Elis are introducing the BOOTSCLEANER BUSINESS SOLUTION 01 2025—now available as the new standard in footwear hygiene.

Bootscleaner.com