Boots – like any other shoes – serve as the base of your outfit. They're subjected to the most abuse among all clothing items. They constantly strike the ground making contact with dirt, water, salt, grime, and greasy substances. So there's no denying how important it is to clean and condition them regularly!
Cleaning Phase
What to use for Cleaning
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Buffing cloth
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Horsehair brush
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Slightly damp cloth
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Saddle soap (Or hide clean & feed)
Boot Renew process starts here.
The first step is to remove the laces if boots has laces. That makes it easier to clean and condition the boots. Then wash the laces in soapy water to get rid of dirt and grime – or get new ones if you notice they're old or worn out.
Place the boots on an old piece of cloth that's flattened on a table. Use a horsehair brush to give the leather some light buffing. The goal here is removing any loose dirt or salt particles which can damage the leather eventually. Ideally, you should give your boots a quick brush after each time you wear them outside. But at least a minimum of twice a week is should do.
Get a damp rag and rub it over your saddle soap to create a light lather. Then rub the lather over the boots, especially over areas that need extra scrubbing. But take note you don't have to do this every time you clean – only when your boots are extremely dirty. For salt stains, use a soft cloth and mix of white vinegar and water (equal parts) to remove the stains.
Let the boots air dry (till dry ). Make sure you do not put the boots close to excessive heat to dry as that will damage them.
Conditioning Phase
Dirt isn't actually the biggest problem for your leather boots. Their true kryptonite is water & dryness. When the boots are affected by water damage (the natural moisture escapes the leather) they dry out. The fibrous interweave will start to weaken and visible cracks form. Sadly, there's no way to salvage them once that happens, it will be a case of patching them neatly which can be done at Hello Quality Repair shop,
So prevention is key. By always keeping the leather supple, healthy and resistant to water penetration…you'll avoid the tragedy of having your expensive pair of boots breaking just few months after buying them.
Leather cracks as a result of dryness.
What you need for Conditioning
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Preferably leather balm / hide food cream
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Applicator sponge (apply small amount of cream using a sponge)
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2 × dry clean soft rags
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Soft brush (use the brush to give the boots a shine)
Start by giving the boots a quick rub-down with one dry rag. (This is to take off any remaining dirt or particles clinging to the leather)
Test your product first! No matter what kind of boots you have or what product you are using, make sure to test a small area of the boot first when using a new product. You can also check with the boot manufacturer to see what products they recommend for cleaning and care of certain type of leather.
After testing, grab your applicator sponge and apply a little bit of conditioner/ balm onto the sponge and rub it on the leather. Use circular motions without pushing down too hard – going back and forth along each part of the boot. You want to get the product in all crevices and creases to ensure optimal results.
Use just as much product that the leather needs. If your boots seem dried out and you haven't treated them in a while, do 2-3 applications. Observe when the product stops soaking in and the leather starts to look moist. That’s when you know the job is done. Wipe off any excess product and let boots dry for a while. Once they’ve rested for a couple of hours, give them a rub with another dry soft rag to absorb any excess oils and moisture and if necessary buff them off with a very soft brush to give the boots a shine.
Conditioning should be done quite often, ideally a minimum of twice every month depending on how often you wear your boots and also depending on climate conditions. If you get in contact with water often, it is best to use a leather protector spray to waterproof your boots. After conditioning your boots you can spray the leather protector spray evenly on the boots and let them dry off for 10 - 15 min then you are done!
Left & right comparison
So remember, try and wipe off any dirt or salt soon after it makes contact with your boots to reduce on the the amount of time you'll spend cleaning them later. Taking care of your leather boots properly will not only prolong their lifespan, but it keeps them looking great over their lifetime. Now go out there and give your boots the care they deserve!
Storing Your Boots
Any time you are letting boots dry out (either from cleaning or wet conditions outside), leave the boots in a warm area but not a spot that is directly next to heat (like next to a heater). If the heat is too much, it can make the leather brittle and that creates cracks. Ensure not to store your leather boots in a plastic bag as the leather needs to breathe, lack of air can cause the boot to dry out or even mold, rather choose a box with a loose lid or a fabric bag for storage instead. And before you store your boots, make sure they are clean and dry so you don't have salt eating on the leather for months during storage.
Your boots needing some love? Book them in today for a drop off or collection with just a few clicks @ https://helloquality.co.za/shoerepairs
Hello Quality Repair shop has a very effective pick up & drop off service nationwide @ on R295, all you do is pack your boots nicely in a box or bag, our courier partner will pick them up from your address and drop them off once completed, saving you time, effort and money.