Leather boots can be a gorgeous fashion statement, a comfortable choice for everyday walking, or a practical necessity for certain types of jobs.Most leather can be cleaned with leather soaps and liquid cleaners, although you may be able to get dust off by just giving the boots a good brushing.You will need to condition your leather regularly.Household items can help remove stains.
Step 1: There is a good spot for cleaning.
Pick a place where you don't mind getting wet and dirty.Try your garage, the back or front porch, or a room in your house that has tile flooring.You might want to lay down some newspapers if you stay inside.Leather cleaner can make you smell bad.Turn a fan on or open a window if you're working in side.
Step 2: Remove the laces.
Before you start cleaning, untie the laces of your boots and remove them from the shoes.They could prevent you from reaching all the nooks and crevices of the boots.Set the laces aside so that they don't get lost.It's a good idea to open the zippers if your shoes have them.Dust can get into the bit of leather.You want to clean that as well.
Step 3: Use a soft brush to remove dirt.
To avoid scratching the leather, use a soft bristled brush.The entire surface of the boots should be brushed.Most dust, dirt, and stains should be removed by this.You'll need more than a soft-bristled brush to get rid of mud and stains.There are brown or tan shoes.Dust and dirt won't be as visible on those so you might want to spend more time on them.If your shoes had laces, you should get the tongue part behind them.Hit the strip of leather behind the zippers.
Step 4: Leather cleaner should be used for all leather.
The majority of leather boots can be cleaned.Leather cleaner can be found at shoe stores, hardware and tack shops.If your boots are made by a particular brand, they may make their own cleaners.You can choose to work with the recommendation of the retailer.
Step 5: A special brush can be used to clean shoes.
The shoes can not get wet and should not be cleaned.You can find the shoe brush online or in a shoe store.Rub the boots with the brush.When cleaning boots, use a back-and-forth motion.A circular motion is also possible.You should be gentle with the shoes.If you scrub too hard, the suede may wear off and leave behind bald patches.
Step 6: To clean with leather soaps, damp a cloth or brush.
There are some leather cleaners that come in soap form.Rub a cloth over the soap to use this type of cleaner.Rub the sides of the cloth together.A cut-up cotton t-shirt is a good choice.You can use a soft bristle brush.The cloth should not be wet.It is necessary to squeeze out some excess liquid if it is dripping with water.Put on a pair of plastic gloves if you have sensitive skin.The lather won't get on your hands if you use this method.
Step 7: Liquid leather cleaners can be put on a damp cloth.
Liquid leather cleaners are also available.A small amount of liquid should be poured onto a cloth.To make a light lather, rub the sides of the cloth together.You may want to try soap cleaners first because liquid cleaners can leave a bit of stain on leather.If you have sensitive skin, it's a good idea to wear plastic gloves.A little bit goes a long way.If you use too much, you'll end up with a lot of messes.
Step 8: The cleaner should be rubbed into the leather.
You can clean the leather by moving the cloth across the boots in small circular motions.This will remove dirt from your boots.Lift the tongues or flaps on your boots to get into the crevices.The entire top part of your boots should be cleaned if they are knee-high.The leather lining extends into the cuff of the boot.If your shoes have a zip, be sure to wipe the leather behind the zip down.
Step 9: Put a dry cloth on the shoes.
The leather cleaner is designed to get into the leather.You don't have to rinse it off.Simply wipe the shoes down with a dry cloth.Don't use the same cloth you used to clean the boots with, use a soft cloth.Cotton t-shirts work well here.
Step 10: Leather soap can be used to clean tough stains.
If you don't get stains out the first time, try cleaning them again.It's a good idea to condition each time you clean, as too much cleaning could dry out the leather.The boots should be conditioned with a leather conditioner.Online or in shoe repair shops, you can find these products.Don't use leather conditioners on suede; instead use a specialized spray.
Step 11: To remove stains, use dish soap and water.
You can use a bit of dish soap to make a lather.Rub the stain with the cloth.After wiping the spot with a different cloth, it's time to dry it.Don't use dish soap on expensive boots.It is not as safe as leather cleaners.If you are worried, you can perform a spot test by putting your cloth and dish soap on a hidden part of the boot.Wait a few minutes to see if the soap affected the leather.
Step 12: It's a good idea to use petroleum jelly for scratches.
Make sure your boots have been cleaned.Then dip the cloth into the jar.Rub the jelly on the spot that was scratched.Rub the spot in small circular motions on a different dry cloth.Do not use the stuff on boots.It will leave a stain.
Step 13: Remove salt stains with a solution.
A cup of water and 15 liters of white vinegar are mixed together.wipe the cloth over the salt stains with a cloth.To clean the boots, use a dry cloth.Make sure that the cloths you are using are free of stains.
Step 14: It is possible to get out grease stains with the use of cornstarch.
Make sure your boots are dry.The stain should be covered with a healthy amount of cornstarch.Leave it on for at least half an hour and up to overnight to allow it to absorb the grease or oil.The cornstarch should be wiped off with a cloth and dish soap.It works on both leather and suede shoes.This method can be repeated a few times.It might not work after the first or second attempt.Do not put your shoes in the water.The cloth needs to be kept lightly damp.
Step 15: Try rubbing alcohol to remove ink stains.
A cotton ball has rubbing alcohol on it.The cotton ball can be used to rub at the ink stain.The stain should be gone.A spot test can be performed to check for alcohol under the tongue or on the shoe.Leave the alcohol for 10 minutes.You should condition the spot with a leather conditioner after rubbing it with alcohol.
Step 16: If you have really stubborn stains, visit a cobbler.
If you don't have time to clean your boots, go to a shoe store or cobbler.They can help you or tell you that the stains are permanent.The boots could be damaged if you try to remove these stains on your own.This may be the only option for ink, wine, or deep-set water stains in the leather.
Step 17: To clean boots, apply a leather conditioner.
It is kept from cracking and getting dried out by conditioning leather.Liquid leather conditioner can be poured onto a soft cloth after you have cleaned your boots.The conditioner can be rubbed into the leather.Put the conditioner in and let it dry.Wax and gels are used for conditioners.You can use whichever type you want.Each time you clean your boots, you need to make sure they are clean.
Step 18: Shoes can be polished with shoe polish.
The shoes will look shiny.The shoes can be polished to make them look better.You can use a soft cloth to rub the polish onto the leather in small circular motions.The color that matches your boots is what you should use for shoe polishes.You can find unique colored shoe polish online.Pour a small circle of olive oil onto a dry, soft cloth and rub that onto the surface of the boots.
Step 19: If you want to condition the shoes, don't.
Even though they can be cleaned with normal leather cleaners, suede shoes can not handle normal conditioners and polishes.Purchase a spray to protect it.After brushing them down, this should be evenly sprayed on the boots.Let the spray dry the shoes.