It's no longer the time for only cowboys to wear leather boots. Anyone can own quality men’s leather boots, regardless of their style. Whether you're wearing a dressy outfit or one that's more casual, a classic leather boot will make you look put together. However, you need to take good care of your leather boots if you want them to last for years to come. Only then the investment you make in a pair will be worth the money. They require maintenance just like any other high-end purchase. If you take care of your boots, they will last you a lifetime.
We will study this process in two parts. The first part let us understand the steps for cleaning your leather boots while the second part talks about the conditioning process.
Make sure you clean and condition your leather footwear regularly by following these steps.
Part 1: The right way to clean leather boots
Step 1: Choose a good place to clean.
You should choose a location where you won't mind getting a little dirty and wet. Consider your garage, your back porch, or a room with linoleum or tile flooring in your house.
It is possible for leather cleaners to smell pungent. Open a window or turn on a fan if you're working indoors.
Step 2: Make sure you remove any laces.
Remove the laces from your boots before you begin cleaning. It could be difficult to reach all the nooks and crevices of the boots if they are in the way. To prevent tangles and lost laces, roll them up and set them aside.
Consider opening your shoes' zippers if they have them. There are times when dust gets into the leather behind the zipper, so ensure you clean it as well.
Step 3: Take a soft brush and brush off any dirt.
It is best to avoid scratching the leather by using a soft-bristled brush. Brush the boots gently all over. In most cases, you should be able to remove most dust and dirt, as well as some light stains with this method.
If you need to get rid of dried-up mud or stains, you'll need more than a soft-bristled brush.
You should pay special attention to brown leather boots or tan shoes. You might want to spend a little more time on those since dust and dirt won't be as noticeable.
Make sure you get the tongue part that sits behind the laces if your shoes have laces. Strike the strip of leather behind the zippers if they have any.
Step 4: Try using the leather cleaner for all leather except suede.
The majority of leather boots can be cleaned with typical leather cleaners. Leather cleaner is available at shoe stores, hardware stores, and tack shops.
Boots made by a particular brand or designer may come with their own cleaners. Although typical leather cleaners should also work, you may want to follow the retailer's recommendation.
Step 5: Cleaning suede shoes requires a special brush.
Suede shoes cannot be wet and should not be cleaned with normal leather cleaners. If you are looking for a suede shoe brush, you can find one online or at a shoe store. To clean the boots, rub the brush over them.
When cleaning boots, use an up-and-down motion and a back-and-forth motion. Alternatively, you can use a gentle, circular motion.
Suede shoes should be treated gently. You may leave bald patches on suede if you scrub too hard or are too rough with it.
Step 6: Use leather soap on a damp cloth or brush to clean.
Saddle soap is one type of leather cleaner that comes in soap form. Rub a damp cloth over the soap to use this type of cleaner. Once the cloth is damp, rub the sides together to make a lather.
You can use a cut-up cotton t-shirt as a soft cloth. Brushes with very soft bristles can also be used. The cloth must be damp, not wet. You need to squeeze out some excess liquid if it's dripping.
Consider wearing plastic gloves if you have sensitive skin. By doing this, you won't get lather on your hands.
Step 7: Using a damp cloth, apply liquid leather cleaners.
There are also liquid leather cleaners available. A dampened cloth should be dipped into a small amount of liquid (no more than a small circle). Make a light lather by rubbing the sides. Liquid cleaners may leave a bit of residue on leather, so you may want to try soap cleaners first.
Again, if you have sensitive skin, you might want to wear plastic gloves.
It only takes 2-3 drops to make a big difference. There will be a lot of difficult-to-clean residues if you use too much.
Step 8: Cleanse the leather by rubbing it.
Move the lathered cloth in small circular motions across the entire surface of the boots to clean the leather. You should be able to remove any remaining dirt and grime from your boots after this.
If your boots have tongues or flaps, lift them to gain access to the crevices.
You should also clean the top part of knee-high boots if they are knee-high. Including the leather lining inside the boot cuff.
Be sure to wipe down the leather strip behind the zippers on your shoes.
Step 9: Use a dry cloth to wipe the shoes.
Leather cleaners soak into the leather. It doesn't need to be rinsed off. Remove any lather and dirt from the shoes by wiping them down with a dry cloth.
Use a soft cloth instead of the cloth you used to clean the boots. Here, cotton t-shirts work well.
Part 2: Conditioning leather
Step 1: Clean boots with a dry cloth and leather conditioner.
The purpose of conditioning leather is to prevent it from cracking and drying out. Apply some liquid leather conditioner to a dry, soft cloth after cleaning your leather boots. The conditioner should be rubbed into the leather in small circular motions.
Step 2: Polish smooth-finished shoes with shoe polish.
There will be a little shine on smooth-finished shoes. It is possible to polish these shoes so that they appear mirror-like. Apply the leather polish in small circular motions using a soft cloth you don't mind throwing away.
Step 3: Suede shoes shouldn't be conditioned.
Instead, use a suede protector spray. After spraying the shoes, let them air dry.
If you are looking for some quality leather boots then you must visit Alberto Torressi's online store. They have an extraordinary collection of leather and suedes which you might have never seen before.