Updated on August 26, 2022
Want to know how to condition leather boots? As the owner of a pair of leather boots, their maintenance is in your hands. While keeping your boots looking nice and in good condition is a big responsibility, it isn’t a difficult task.
It is important that you keep them clean but one of the main things that you need to do to your boots is condition them. Rub down your clean boots with a dry rag to get rid of any dust or dirt that may be on the boots.
Next, apply the conditioner with an applicator brush. Apply more conditioner to a clean rag and rub the boots using circular motions. Let them dry and then you are done.
Leather Boot Care
From the time you bring your new boots home, there are things that you can do to keep the leather healthy and your boots looking brand new.
Good leather needs good products so make sure you shop around and get high-quality saddle soap and conditioner to preserve the integrity of your new footwear. If you spend a lot of time outside, you may want to find a conditioner that has a UV protectant included in the ingredients.
Cleaning
While you should be giving your boots a good dusting off weekly with a sturdy horsehair brush, cleaning your boots should be done any time they get particularly dirty, especially in the winter to get the salt residue off of them.
First, remove the laces and wash them in hot, soapy water. If they are worn out, you can replace them. Next, buff the leather with a horsehair brush to agitate the material and remove any dirt or salt particles from the leather.
Rub the saddle soap with a damp rag, creating a lather. Scrub the boots well and let them air dry for at least 10 minutes.
Conditioning Leather Boots
You may be wondering what leather conditioner is best for your boots. With so many products available on the market, it may be hard to decide which one is right for you.
There are a couple of things that you will want to look for when you are shopping around:
- UV Protection: This is important if you will be wearing your boots outside
- Ingredients: Make sure you choose something that does not contain silicone or wax, as it can lead to a buildup of gunk on the leather
Starting with clean boots, give them a wipe down with a dry rag to make sure any remaining dust or dirt is gone. Then use an applicator brush to put a layer of conditioner to the boots.
Put more conditioner on a dry rag and buff the boots until they are no longer absorbing more conditioner. Wipe off any excess conditioner that may be on the surface of the boots and let them rest for 12 hours. Give them a final wipe and they are good to go.
Make sure you condition your boots when you first buy them and then repeat the process every three months.
