By Despite their great fan base and widespread usage, very few people actually know the proper way of how to clean leather boots. From the caveman ages, leather was seen as the ultimate material for dressing and shoes due to its ease to obtain (from wild animals), its durability and its suitability for a wide range of conditions. As the years progress and other boot making materials became more available, the use of leather as the dominant material slowly declined due to the availability of cheaper alternatives. However leather has maintained its position as most people’s choice.
However, to ensure the longevity of your boots in good condition, proper cleaning and maintenance is vital to maintain stylishness and practicality. Using the wrong cleaning agents and methods can lead to the leather breaking down leading to creasing and discoloration. Below are some guidelines you can follow on how to clean leather boots and keep them in good working condition. For a start you need to identify the leather your boots are made out of. Whether it’s treated or not. Cow skin tends to be porous a factor that exposes them to water staining.
Treating them with wax or oil based products is a good way to go. You can use any kind of applicator provided it’s not too rough. Before applying your chosen protective product, you need to be sure that all the dirt has been removed from the boot. This means thorough cleaning of the boot and especially around the seams and zip area with a damp rag. After cleaning you can air dry the boots with the use of boot trees or wadded up paper towels to absorb the water from the inside. When they are completely dry, you can proceed to treat them with the most appropriate conditioner and treatment for them. Give the boots at least 24 hours to absorb the treatment before you wear them.
However, you will often come across stains that bring up the need for special treatment and ways of how to clean leather boots. In shoe cleaning you will often encounter stains that conventional cleaners can’t remove. Your next option would be a professional cleaner which can be quite expensive. We look at these stains and their solutions below
It is worth noting that all products can have negative outcomes like cracking of the leather and it’s always a good idea to try it out on an inconspicuous part of the shoe for observation before applying on the entire shoe.
