Caring for Leather Boots

Once you find a great pair of shoes, you want to keep them looking good for as long as possible! For different materials, the care you put into cleaning and preserving them also differs. Caring for leather boots is not the same as caring for suede or nubuck, so keep this in mind when you read these tips!

Both durability and attractiveness play a part in caring for leather boots. These two factors are enough to make people roll up their sleeves for a little while and put some elbow grease into it! Here is a simple yet complete guide to caring for leather boots.

Cleaning, conditioning, polishing and preserving are all steps in the process of caring for leather boots. If you are somewhat nervous about doing these things yourself, shoe repair shops are a great resource for more tips or they will simply do it for you! But for basic home care, you should start with these items, which can be found at most general stores or shoe stores.

• Newspapers
• Gloves
• Soft Cotton Cloths or Rags
• Soft Shoe Brush (optional)
• Smooth Leather Shoe Cleaner
• Leather Conditioner for Smooth Leather Shoes
• Shoe Polish, or a Shoe Polish Alternative

Follow the instructions on all of these products, as some will have slightly different instructions. Make sure that the items you buy are specifically meant for smooth leather shoes, if you are in fact caring for leather boots. Suede or rough leather will have their own line of products.

Depending on where you wear your leather boots, the weatherproofing step will involve either beeswax or a protective spray. The first of these will provide the most protection, but will slightly alter the texture and look of your boots. If the appearance is more important than the waterproof capabilities of your boots, then simply using a protective spray for leather boots. Condition and waterproof your leather boots as soon as you get them and before wearing them, for the best results!

These steps for caring for leather boots will help you to keep those gorgeous things looking good for as long as you want. Leather can dry out, eventually cracking and falling apart, if it isn't properly conditioned and cared for. So caring for leather boots is quite important, right along with their fashionable purposes!