There’s a reason why the value of the global leather goods market is worth an estimated $394 billion. Nothing quite beats the look and feel of leather products. And nowhere is this more clear than with classic leather boots.
The only downside is that leather boots require careful care if you want them to stay in their pristine condition. Sadly, many boot owners aren’t familiar with the steps required for proper leather boot care.
That’s why we organized this article. In it, we’ll cover everything you need to know about extending the lifespan of your leather boots (and making them look great in the process). Let’s start with the proper way to clean your leather boots when they get dirty.
1. Take Off the Laces
Before you begin cleaning the boots it’s important to remove the laces. If your laces are dirty then you can clean them by hand. You can also wash the laces in the washing machine.
However, If your washer has tiny holes in it, then you should be careful. Otherwise, the laces can easily slip through and get lost. You can usually prevent this by tying the laces at least once so that they don’t fall through.
Alternatively, if your old laces are frayed or damaged, then you can simply replace them with new laces.
2. Brush Away Any Dirt and Debris
Before you begin cleaning your boots it’s important to remove any dirt or debris. Otherwise, you’ll just be scrubbing this mess further into the boot. To properly do this we recommend getting either a cloth or a soft brush.
Then, gently go over the entire boot while focusing on big pieces of debris or dirt. Also, make sure you don’t use a brush with hard bristles. These have a chance of scratching the leather so you should avoid them.
3. Gently Clean With Water or Dish Soap
Next, it’s time to clean off your leather boots. Different individuals have different preferences in terms of what they use to clean. Some people prefer to just use purified water.
Others prefer to use a solution that’s 50% water and 50% dish soap. If you don’t have dish soap, then you can also substitute baking soda instead. Regardless of what you’re using, make sure that you get a soft cloth.
Then, dip it in the cleaning solution and go over the entire outside of the boot. If you’re using a soap solution, then make sure to dip a second cloth in clean water. Then go over it a second time to remove any soap from the boots.
4. Apply Leather Conditioner
Next, it’s time to apply leather conditioner. Since leather is made from the skin of animals it’s easy for it to get dried out. Leather conditioner helps keep the material hydrated while also giving them an attractive shine.
To use the product apply the leather conditioner to your boots and then let it sit for about fifteen minutes. Then, take a soft piece of cloth and begin buffing the boots. You can stop once the boots have a nice shine to them.
5. Allow the Boots to Dry
Finally, it’s time to let the boots dry properly. If you can, you should let them do this in an open-air environment. Generally, outdoors is the best place for them to air dry.
However, avoid this if it’s wet or humid out. Also, keep them away from areas with heaters or damp air. This can cause the leather on the boots to crack.
What Should I Do If My Leather Boots Are Smelly?
We’ve just gone over how to properly clean and care for the exterior parts of your leather boots. However, what should you do if the interior sections smell awful? We recommend soaking a cloth in a dish soap/water solution.
Scrub them carefully until the boots get foamy. Then, perform another scrub, this time with a damp cloth. After you’re done, put the boots outside to let them air dry. Once they’re dry, take a cloth and dip it in a solution that contains equal parts white vinegar and water.
Using this solution wipe down the inside of the boots. You can also leave a knotted soak covered in baking soda in the boat overnight. This will absorb some of the odor.
Where Can You Get Leather Boots?
Ultimately, leather boot care doesn’t matter if your boots aren’t made of genuine leather. As such, it’s important to know the manufacturer. My corporations substitute faux leather in place of the real thing.
As such, you should make sure to do your research so you know what you’re paying for. If you want a supplier you can trust, then make sure to check out Tim’s Boots for custom cowboy boots.
What Should You Use For Leather Conditioners?
There are a variety of different leather conditioners you can use when caring for your boots. All of these products generally have the same purpose: hydrating and shining your boots.
Ultimately, the right kind for you will depend on your personal preference. Experiment until you find the type that works best for your specific boots. We recommend starting with some of these products:
- Mink oil
- Neatsfoot
- Leather honey
Want More Content? Keep Exploring
We hope this article helped you learn some of the fundamentals of leather boot care. While leather boots and other leather products do look great, they can also be quite expensive.
As such, they represent a significant investment that deserves to be taken care of properly. As long as you follow the advice on this list, then you can be assured that your leather boots will look and feel great for decades.
As long as you stick with a care routine you can even pass them down to future generations. Did you enjoy this article? If the answer is yes, then you’re in the right place. Keep reading to find more topics that you’re sure to love.
