Proper maintenance can extend the life of your leather boots and improve their performance and comfort. Frequent cleaning is especially important for hiking boots, and occasionally treating them with a fabric softener prevents the boots from drying out and cracking. You should also reapply the waterproofer on the boots, once you have reason to assume that the initial factory layer has worn out.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Clean Your Boots
Step 1. Remove the insoles
Many insoles can be machine washed, but you should check the manufacturer's instructions before attempting to do so.
Step 2. Remove the shoelaces
This step may not be necessary for a quick clean, but removing the laces allows for a more thorough cleaning on the surface of the boot.
Step 3. Brush off dust and dirt using an old natural bristle toothbrush or toothbrush
Be gentle, but energetic. It is not necessary to remove all the dirt, but you should attempt to remove the larger masses.
Step 4. Mix some water and a specific shoe cleaner in a bowl
Alternatively, you can also use a mild dish soap. Avoid soaps or cleansers, however, as they often contain surfactants that can dehydrate the skin or polishes that can leave residue.
Step 5. Dip the toothbrush into the cleaning solution
Tap on the side of the bowl to remove excess water.
Step 6. Gently scrub away all dirt and debris from the outside of the boot
Keep scrubbing until almost all of the dirt other than mold is removed.
Step 7. Mix four parts water and one part vinegar if you see mold on your boots
This solution can be aggressive, so you should only use it in cases of mold and not for general cleaning.
Step 8. Dip the toothbrush into the vinegar solution
Tap the brush on one side of the bowl to get rid of the excess solution.
Step 9. Gently scrub away the mold
If the mold does not come off after the first cleaning, wet the toothbrush again and scrub again.
Step 10. Fill a shallow basin (or a similar container) with about 2 or 3 centimeters of water
The water level must be high enough to cover the soles of your boots.
Step 11. Put the boots in the water
Leave them to soak for several hours to loosen the mud encrustations. Avoid letting the top of the boot stay in the water, as this could damage the leather.
Step 12. Remove the booties from the basin and direct a steady, strong stream of water onto the residual mud
Use a hose or a faucet extension.
Step 13. Rinse the boots to remove any soap residue
Many soaps, detergents and cleaners are hydrophilic and could cause long-term damage to your boots if you don't remove them. Use a gentle stream of water from a hose or faucet.
Method 2 of 4: Dry Your Boots
Step 1. Remove the insoles if you did not do so during cleaning
The insoles must be able to dry separately from the boot to prevent the development of mold, bacteria or other damage.
Step 2. Put the boots upside down on a support surface or on the floor
Let him get air at room temperature. Do not place them near a radiator, on a sunny windowsill, or near some other heat source as this weakens the adhesives used in footwear and makes the leather brittle.
Step 3. Expose the boots to the air flow of a fan to speed up drying
The tab should be open, and the fan should continue to blow room temperature air on the boot.
Step 4. Alternatively, slip a sheet or two of newspaper into each boot
Newsprint absorbs moisture, drying your booties faster.
Step 5. Change the newsprint every hour
After an hour, the paper may have absorbed too much moisture to still be effective.
Method 3 of 4: Treat the booties with a fabric softener
Step 1. Get a bottle of leather softener
If the boots are made from nubuck leather or other specialty leathers, look for a product specifically designed for that type of leather. If you have trekking or industrial leather boots, mink oil can also work, but be wary of its use on standard hiking boots. Mink oil can excessively soften the dry-tanned leather used for many hiking shoes.
Step 2. Pour a small amount of fabric softener onto a soft cloth or rag
The rag should be completely damp, but not dripping.
Step 3. Rub the fabric softener on the boot using the rag
Make sure you pass the fabric softener over the seams and the surface.
Step 4. Let the boots dry at room temperature for several minutes
Step 5. Use a clean, soft cloth to wipe off excess fabric softener
Avoid that the fabric softener stays on the boots for too long, because the boots could become too soft.
Step 6. Polish the boots with the same rag you used to remove excess fabric softener
Polish the boots in circular motions.
Method 4 of 4: Waterproof Your Ankle Boots
Step 1. Choose a water-based waterproofing product
Water-based products are good for most leathers and other mixed materials. Oil-based products are intended for full grain leather only. They can excessively darken and soften the leather, especially when used on standard hiking shoes.
Step 2. Clean the boots, but don't dry them
The boots should be slightly damp when applying a water-based waterproofing product. Moisture helps the product to penetrate deeper into the leather fibers.
Step 3. Apply your waterproofing product
The method of application may vary according to the type of waterproofing you have purchased.
Step 4. If you have a pressure vessel, press to pour a generous amount of product onto a clean, soft cloth
Step 5. Rub the waterproofing product onto the skin using the cloth
Pay particular attention to seams and seams, as water tends to penetrate these areas more easily.
Step 6. If you have a spray, carefully spray the boot with your waterproofing product
Completely cover the outside of the boot and pay particular attention to the seams.
Step 7. If you have a container with a sponge, remove the lid from the product and rub the sponge all over the boot
You may need to squeeze the bottle as you scrub to get the product out of the container. Apply generously over the entire surface and all seams.
Step 8. Do not apply to the rubber sole of your boot
These waterproofing products are not suitable for rubber.
Step 9. Use a soft, clean cloth to remove excess product
Usually, there won't be much to take off at this point.
Step 10. Let your boots air dry at room temperature for a few minutes
This gives the product more time to penetrate the fibers.
Advice
- Find out what kind of leather the boots are made of. There can be a big difference between full grain leather, split leather, nubuck, suede and other types. Look for products designed for your skin type.
- Specialized skin type products work better than standard oils and soaps.
