Footwear Care Guide
If you’ve got a good pair of boots, then you’re bound to be getting good use out of them. Boots aren’t made to stay in a box – they are made to be worn, to last, and to be your go to every time you leave the house.
This means that your boots are continually coming into contact with different elements, which then creates the general wear and tear that happens with anything over time. To make sure your favourite boots last for years to come, you’ve got to think about footwear care and the things you can do to keep them in great shape.
So, no matter what their price tag, and no matter what the material, boot care can keep your favourite pair of boots in the best condition they can be. It just takes a little bit of care and attention.
How To Look After Your Footwear
Just like how you would wash your car or change your bed sheets, we recommend trying to maintain a consistent schedule with your boot care routine. How you clean your boots will be determined by what type of material they are, but all boots mainly just need basic maintenance and cleaning every few weeks.
It is simple and easy to do, and will help prolong the life of your footwear; to keep them looking as good, and performing as well, as when you first opened that box.
How To Clean Leather Boots
Leather boots are a staple of many footwear collections. They’re tough, durable and versatile - and they look great. Keeping them that way may feel like a lot of work, but a regular cleaning schedule will make it a lot easier.
Follow these simple steps to keep your favourite leather boots in great condition and ready for your next big event.
Step 1: Prepare your boots
Start by removing the laces, if your boots have them. These can be washed by hand with a little soap, or they can be put in the washing machine.
Using a soft bristled brush or a damp cloth, remove any dirt, dust, and/or debris from the boots. Brush along the seams and soles using an outward motion.
Tip: Be gentle doing this. You don’t want to accidentally scratch or damage the leather.
Step 2: Leave to dry
Once you’re confident you have got rid of as much visible dirt as possible, you then need to leave your boots to air dry.
Keep them at room temperature, and away from heaters or fires. You want to dry the leather, but not dry it out.
Tip: Even if the sun has been shining all morning, don’t be tempted to rush the drying process by putting your boots in the direct sunlight.
Step 3: Clean your boots
Take a clean, soft, damp cloth. Add a small amount of the liquid cleaner to it and then, in circular motions, work your way around the boot.
Once done, repeat this step again, but this time use a fresh cloth damp with just water. This will ensure that none of the cleaning product is left on the surface of the boot.
Tip: Take your time and be thorough. Make sure you clean all over the boots, including the crevices.
Step 4: Leave to dry
Leave the boots to dry once more.
As before, this should be at room temperature and not near direct sunlight or any artificial heat sources.
Step 5: Add the finishing touches
Once dry, apply a thin, even coat of leather conditioner to the boots. You should then leave them to dry again.
Using conditioner helps block water from seeping in, which happens naturally over time due to oils and dirt from the outside elements.
Tip: Boots can also be polished every so often. Similarly, you can ‘buff’ your boots simply by using a soft, clean cloth.
How To Clean Canvas Boots
Canvas boots are popular for leisure and outdoor activities, and they come in many different styles, patterns and colours. Once you find a favourite pair, you want to keep them in great condition. They need slightly different boot care to leather boots, but it’s just as easy to do.
The following steps, completed regularly every few weeks, will keep your canvas boots in the best possible shape.
Step 1: Prepare your boots
Take the laces out of your boots. You can put these in the washing machine or, with a little soap, can be washed by hand.
Remove any obvious patches of dirt from your boots by using a soft bristled brush and a bit of elbow grease.
Tip: If you don’t have a boot brush, you can just as easily use an old toothbrush.
Step 2: Clean your boots
Dampen a clean cloth or soft bristled brush with a little warm water.
Work your way around the boots, using the damp cloth or brush to clean the whole surface, seams, and soles.
Step 3: Leave to dry
Fill your boots with tissue paper, newspaper or similar, and then leave them to air dry in a natural, room temperature environment.
The use of paper will help them keep their shape as they dry.
Tip: Canvas material boots should never be put into the tumble dryer, as this runs the risk the soles will malform and become damaged.
Final Footwear Care Tips
- Before using any cleaning product for the first time, test it out on an inconspicuous section of the boot in case there is an unwanted reaction or discolouring effect
- Patience is key. Your boots need to dry fully after any product is added and again before they then get worn again
- Find a good home for your boots. Store them in a well ventilated, cool area.
- Excessive cleaning can do the material, particularly leather, more harm than good, so if you keep to a good routine, then you will be able to keep track of when your boots were last cleaned and when they are due to be cleaned again.
If you’d like to know more about boot care and the best ways to keep your footwear in the best condition, contact our team and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you might have. We can also point you to the best products that will help in footwear and boot care, keeping your favourites in action for years to come.
