Whether you prefer suede, regular or patent leather boots, you need to know how to properly care for them in order to help them look great for longer. Each type of leather has specific cleaning procedures that keep them stylish in the long run.
Learn a few of the best leather boots care tips, including the right way to store them, how to remove salt and grease stains, and how to fix any scuffs that might threaten to ruin their appearance.
Start Weatherproofing Your Boots
A rain and stain repellent is a great option for weatherproofing. By helping the surface of the leather reject liquids, you’ll have less trouble with stains and moisture. Use the weatherproofing coating of your choice for your leather boots, booties and shoes, but avoid any spray that contains silicones.
Protect Their Shape
Shoetrees help extend the life of your footwear, and boots are no exception. Cedar wood shoetrees are the right choice, since they help dry the boot from the inside, maintaining the original shape of the leather. Use one of the best leather boots care tips and stuff your boots with crumpled paper when you’re not wearing them, in order to help maintain their shape and reduce the risk of creasing.
How to Clean Full Grain Leather Boots
If your boots feature full grain leather, then all you need to clean them is a soft cloth. Wipe them gently all over with the dry cloth, then use warm water to dampen it, and wipe them again. Never rush the drying process by placing them in sunlight or near hear sources. Silicone sprays and liquid polishes should be avoided for full grain leather.
photo: My White T
How to Clean Suede and Nubuck Boots
When you’re dealing with nubuck or suede, you’ll need a special brush. Try one of the best leather boots care tips and use a rubber eraser to remove any stains before brushing in a single direction. Use silicone sprays to protect your boots from stains and moisture.
How to Clean Oiled Leathers
For this type of treated leather, you’ll need more than a dry cloth, but wiping them down should be the first step in cleaning them. You should also invest in a good cleaner. A leather protector is also important, and helps restore your boots. For beeswax leather boots, skip the protector, since it can change their color and darken them considerably.
How to Clean Patent Leather Boots
Try the best leather boots care tips and you’ll be able to keep your patent leather footwear look great for longer. You’ll need a soft damp cloth to clean them, and you also use very little mild soap on patent leather. A silicone spray or cleaner is also useful for this type of leather.
Avoid Oil Treatments
You might think that using olive oil helps your leather booties or boots look great for longer, but you might also ruin them. Most types of leather will soak up the oil at first, but if you keep using oils, you’ll saturate them and end up with ugly grease stains and spots on the surface of your boots.
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Erase Scuffs Easily
You don’t need oil to get rid of scuffs. Use one of the best leather boots care tips and reach for the baking soda in your pantry. Dab a damp soft cloth into baking soda, then rub the scuffs gently. Once they’re gone, let your footware dry before applying any more cleaners or protecting products.
Remove Salt Lines
Road salt has ruined a lot of great boots in the colder months. You can invest in a desalting product for the type of leather you want to clean, or you can try a quick and easy solution. Mix equal parts water and white vinegar, and use a soft cloth to dab the solution on your boots and remove the salt rings. Rinse with a different cloth that’s been soaked in water, then wipe with a dry one to complete the process.
Get Rid of Grease Stains
Using a big of cornstarch to remove grease spots and stains is one of the best leather boots care tips. You should apply it all over the affected area and leave it on overnight to make sure it soaks up all the grease. Use a brush to remove the cornstarch, then gently rub with a soft cloth dampened in a solution of water and a bit of mild soap. Rinse with a different cloth soaked in water, then let your footwear dry naturally.
