Nobody wants dirt trodden through the floors of their house. The best provision against mud-caked hallways is a good old-fashioned boot scraper, installed outside your porch or front door.
There are plenty of boot scraper designs available, from beautiful traditional options to multi-functional designs that double as boot storage solutions.
Here's how to choose a boot scraper
Read on for our list of 11 of the best boot scrapers and boot scraper brushes - your carpets will thank you later.
And if you’re looking for protection against the mud when you’re out and about, take a look at our list of the best wellington boots.
What is a boot scraper?
A quick and effortless way to knock and scrape garden muck off your gardening shoes and wellies before heading indoors, a boot scraper helps keep your boots and hallways clean. Designs vary, but traditional boot scrapers offer you a flat metal edge to scrape your soiled soles on, so they're great for tackling stubborn dried mud.
There are lots of other options available too, which incorporate extra features. Many boot scrapers nowadays actually employ brushes that you can use on the upper parts of shoes.
Others also have a jack, to help you slide your shoes off your feet. You can even get larger ones with long poles to offer you support, and somewhere to hang your boots.
What are boot scrapers made of?
Boot scrapers are often made of cast iron, and there are steel options available too. You can go for a brush design with a wooden exterior for a softer look, and we've also included a coir boot scraper, so there are plenty of materials to choose from to suit your needs.
11 of the best boot scrapers for 2024
Dibor Westie Shoe Scraper
Cute boot scraper
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This boot scraper is made of cast iron, and is decorated with a pair of westies for a cute touch. The rustic brown finish gives it an antique feel, making it an attractive and practical outdoor accessory. Weighing 2kg, this boot scraper should offer suitable stability when you're getting rid of dried mud and soil after a day of planting.
Handy too for dog walkers returning from a field walk, this charming boot scraper would make a sweet gardening gift or housewarming present for those who spend most of their day in wellies.
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Boot Rack and Scraper
Best multi-functional boot scraper
This boot scraper is a four-in-one. Not only does it feature a boot cleaner, boot jack and a central support pole, but also four ball-topped rods where you can leave not one, but two sets of boots. Perfect for couples who find themselves kicking off their mucky wellies on a regular basis.
Cast Iron Outdoor Boot Brush
Best for small spaces
This neat boot scraper features cast iron ridges for particularly muddy footwear, as well as a brush for lighter dirt. Its antique finish and pretty border make it a lovely choice, great for countryside houses surrounded by muddy tracks.
Oval Steel Boot Scraper
Stylish boot scraper
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We love this boot scraper's elegant design, and the oval shaped base gives it a unique look. Hand forged from steel and coated with a durable polyester paint, pop it in your boot room or by your front door for a clean entrance.
Garden Selections Cast Iron Hedgehog Boot Brush
Best for front door
Buy from Selections (£12.99)
Another cute animal-themed boot scraper, this one with a spiky little guy who looks almost as bristly as the coir boot brush itself. The hedgehog has a flat back, so this is intended to be placed flush against the wall of your home. We think this would make a lovely gift and perhaps it will inspire you to build your very own hedgehog house.
Woodside Three in One Boot Brush, Jack And Scraper
Practical pick
By contrast, this cast-iron three-in-one boot scraper from Woodside has more of an antique feel. The grill will sort out your soles, those coir brushes will clean the sides of shoes, and that U-shaped jack will help you ease them off. Its two rear legs keep it on a conveniently tilted angle for use.
Bosmere Shoe Scraper
Best brush design
Buy from Agriframes (£34.99)
This boot scraper features four shoe brushes for a quick and efficient clean. The bristles are made of a sturdy plastic and to help prevent the shoe scraper from slipping around, the design features a magnetic folding plate on both sides.
Bird and Leaf Cast Iron Boot Scraper
Most decorative
This rather adorable iron boot scraper is straightforward in design: you simply push the stake into soft ground near your doorway. We love the quaint bird design - we’re not saying you have to live in a picturesque cottage to buy this, but it would certainly look the part there.
Oak Boot Scraper
Best wooden boot scraper
Buy from The Worm That Turned (£179.95)
If you’re a little unsteady on your feet, or could simply use some support while cleaning your boots at the end of a long walk, then this oak boot scraper from House of Bruar might be the one for you. It has an 89cm-high wooden pole for you to support yourself while using both the five-brush cleaner section, and the tilted jack on the other side.
Muddybootz Square Pattern Shoe Cleaner
Best for extra support
Buy from Muddybootz (£124.00)
This shoe cleaner from Muddybootz also uses a pole for support - but the chief difference with this scraper is that it has two brush cleaners, meaning two people can use it at once. It’s also made of weatherproof steel, and while it certainly favours function over looks, looks likely to stand the test of time and repeated use.
Coir Boot Scraper
Best for busy households
We end our round up on a distinctly practical note. It might not have the antique or homely charm of others on this list, but this coir boot scraper looks like it will stand up to repeated - and aggressive - use. A good choice for families and homes with a steady stream of dirty shoes.
Don't' forget to browse our favourite welly boot storage ideas!
