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How to Clean Leather Boots

Leather boots are a timeless wardrobe staple, complementing everything from jeans to dresses. Whether you’re kicking your outfit up a notch with a pair of suede booties or nubuck lace-ups, it’s essential to clean and maintain your leather boots.

For best results, most shoe experts recommend cleaning your leather boots every 1-2 months. Depending on the type of leather boots you own, your cleaning routine may consist of a simple wipe-down with a soft cloth or full leather conditioning followed by buffing and polishing.
Follow these helpful tips on how to clean leather boots to keep your favorite pairs in excellent condition.

The Different Types of Leather for Shoes

The most common types of leather used for boots are full-grain, nubuck, suede and patent leather. While all are generally easy to clean with the right tools and products, they each may require separate cleaning methods:

  • Full-grain leather: Full-grain leather is highly durable, but it may need special conditioning. Look for leather conditioner products specifically formulated for full-grain leather and other smooth leathers, such as top-grain and aniline.
  • Nubuck and suede: These leathers are more delicate and require lighter cleaning procedures to reduce the risk of damage. Use a soft brush and leather cleaner and/or conditioners designed for nubuck and suede when cleaning your boots.
  • Patent leather: Often used as a material for dress shoes, patent leather is fairly low maintenance and simple to clean with a shoe shine cloth or microfiber towel. However, it’s vulnerable to scuffs and scratches. Minor marks can often be buffed off with gum erasers or treated with liquid solutions crafted specifically for patent leather care, as this material should never be cleaned with oils or wax-based cleaners.

What You’ll Need

The first step in cleaning leather boots is gathering your cleaning materials. Here’s a list of what you need to get your boots looking as good as new:

  • A soft brush
  • Clean, lint-free, microfiber cloths
  • Gentle dish soap or saddle soap leather cleaner
  • Leather conditioning cream
  • Water
  • Toothbrush

Optional Items:

  • Waterproofing spray
  • Leather polish
  • Shoe trees (for drying)

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Clean Leather Boots

Follow the steps below to make your leather shine again.

Remove Dirt and Debris

Before you condition your leather boots, remove any caked-on dirt and debris. Start by gently knocking your boots together to shake dirt loose, and use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe the entire surface.

Inspect the boots for any remaining debris before moving on to the next step. It’s essential to remove as much dirt as possible before spot cleaning and conditioning, as muddy dirt can absorb into the material and cause it to dry out.

Spot Clean Stains

Using clean water and gentle dish soap or saddle soap, lightly wipe away any stains left on your boots with a fresh cloth. Dip a toothbrush into a mixture of soap and water to spot clean seams and crevices and scrub away dirt or debris. Allow the boots to air dry before applying leather conditioner.

Condition the Leather

Conditioning is one of the most important boot-cleaning steps, as this process can prevent the leather from cracking and drying out. Once your boots are properly spot-cleaned and free of dirt and debris, use a soft, lint-free cloth to apply conditioner to the desired areas. Wipe the boots down and allow the material to dry.

For optimal drying, place your boots in an area with good air circulation and let them dry at room temperature. You can also insert shoe trees in the boots to absorb excess moisture. If possible, wait 24 hours before wearing your boots or applying polish.

Polish and Buff

Polishing and buffing is an optional step that may help restore your leather boots’ shine. This can be done by applying leather polish to your conditioned boots and using a buffing brush to create a shiny surface.

It’s recommended to wait until the conditioner sets in before applying polish, or it might not dry. Polishing may be unnecessary if the leather already has a shiny finish or your boots are nicely conditioned.

When buffing, place the buffing brush on your boot leather and move it quickly (but gently) from side to side to remove surface stains and smooth out scratches or scuff marks. Once you’re finished buffing, apply the polish to areas with deep stains or marks to create a smooth, even surface. Let the polish dry for at least 10 minutes, and go over the boots again with the buffing brush.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Maintaining your leather boots on a regular basis can help extend their overall life, ensuring they look and feel great for years to come. Here are some common conditioning mistakes to avoid when repairing your leather footwear:

  • Avoid oversaturation: When applying leather conditioner, a little goes a long way. While conditioners are meant to moisturize and prevent cracks and damage, too much can soak into the pores of the leather and cause oversaturation. When leather is oversaturated, it holds on to excess moisture, which can sometimes lead to irreversible damage.
  • Avoid harsh chemicals: Cleaning products and conditioners that contain abrasives, alcohol or silicone may dry out your leather boots, so it’s best to avoid them. For best practices, stick to gentle soaps or soft leather conditioners and cleaning solutions.
  • Don’t neglect regular care and conditioning: Follow a regular schedule to clean and condition your boots to keep them looking as good as new. While every few months is the general recommendation, you should also immediately remove any heavy dirt and debris that accumulates before the 1- or 2-month mark.

Shop Leather Boots With Shoe Carnival

Feel like treating yourself to a new pair of leather boots? From western-style booties to classy knee-highs, Shoe Carnival offers a great selection of leather boots to complement every unique style and personality. Visit your nearest Shoe Carnival and start shopping today.