Even though leather boots are a bit of an investment, they are one that can last you for years. However, while working all day, your boots are prone to dirt, oil, grime, water, and other substances that stain leather. However, cleaning leather work boots is not a hard thing to do, as long as you do it often and the right way. The following are tips on how to clean leather work boots.
Read on for more!
1. Remove the laces
Before commencing on the leather cleaning process, make sure you remove the shoelaces. You can choose to place them in the washing machine or replace with new laces once you finish cleaning your boots.
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Removing the laces will help you clean the boots thoroughly. The reason is that the net on the shoelaces usually trap dirt and you wouldn’t want to wash again once you finish cleaning your shoes.
2. Remove dirt and stains off the boots
There are expert-grade leather stain removers on the stores, but you can still use household items to clean your boots depending on how severe your boot stains are, you should make good use of what is available to you.
For example, you can take a cloth or a soft brush and gently go over your boot, cleaning any dirt or debris on the shoes and the soles. Avoid using a firm brush as it can ruin your shoes.
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By removing any debris or dirt on the shoe surface, it’s now easier to clean the shoe with no hindrances at all.
3. Clean the boots with soap
Mix water and dish soap in a liquid proportion of 50/50 and dip a soft cloth in the solution to clean the shoes.
Also, you can mix some saddle soap and water, and if you do not have any dish soap, baking soda can do the trick. Wipe over the entire shoe with the solution and then wipe off the solution with another wet cloth. Once you wipe off the soap, dry your boots with a towel.
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Cleaning boots with soap and drying the shoes completely makes it easy for you to apply the leather conditioner now.
4. Apply leather conditioner
Leather conditioner helps in maintaining your boot’s shine and keeps them hydrated. Leather comes from animal skin, and so you need to prevent it from drying. To do so, apply the leather conditioner and leave it to settle for about 15 minutes.
After that, it’s now time to buff your boots with a soft rag or cloth, until it’s shiny.
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Leather conditioner works well, but you need to get a quality one to get the best results. Once you buff the leather, your shoes will shine very well.
5. Leave the boots to dry
After conditioning the boots, it’s about time you leave them in the open air if the air condition allows it. However, keep the boots away from heaters and damp areas to avoid cracks on your favorite footwear.
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Avoid leaving your boots on direct sunlight as that may cause the leather to crack. Once you leave it to dry on its own, the footwear will look as good as new.
6. Check your boots as you sleep
One significant part of taking care of leather boots is placing them appropriately. You can place them on cedar tree to keep up their fresh smell. Cedar absorbs moisture, acid, and salt. It also neutralizes smells, making the tree ideal for a shoe tree.
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Sprinkle the inner part of the shoe with some baking soda to neutralize the smell if you do not have a cedar tree at home.
Cleaning leather work boots is simple, unlike what most people think. Just follow the above tips and rock that look with your favorite pair of boots!
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