Leather boots come with a lot of benefits:
- Real leather is breathable, which keeps the insides of your shoes cool and dry.
- Leather is more durable than synthetic materials
- Leather can be made water resistant if treated in advance (learn how below!)
However, leather also is susceptible to
- Cracking
- Staining
- Roughness
We want you to enjoy your leather without worry, so we’ve compiled a handy list of boot cleaning and care tips below. Plus, learn a little about suede boots AND how to waterproof your styles for the rainy (but hopefully not snowy…) season ahead.
How to Clean Leather Boots
We recommend cleaning your leather boots regularly. Use the following basic steps to keep them in tip-top shape
After every wear
Use a shoe brush or microfiber cloth to wipe off dirt and dust. For a deeper clean, use Christopher Pourny Leather Cream, which cleans, moisturizes, and shines leather while also helping to prevent stains and water damage.
Every 5-6 wears
Polish your shoes using this method:
- Remove shoelaces
- Remove any dirt or debris with a horsehair brush or microfiber cloth.
- Dampen the microfiber cloth and wipe down the shoes gently. A very thin layer of water will do—don’t soak them!
- Repeat step 3 with a leather conditioner, such as this leather cleaner and conditioner from Vionic.
- Add a few drops of shoe polish on the cloth. Rub in to the leather with slow, circular motions. Apply a second layer if desired.
- Let dry completely.
- Buff the polish off with a dry cloth or brush to reveal a fresh look!
When choosing polish, ensure the color matches your shoes. Tarrago offers a great selection of over ten colors to help you find the perfect match.
As needed
If you live in Wisconsin or another snowy state, you also need to tackle the issue of salt stains during winter. Salt can easily discolor leather, but a good salt stain remover can help restore its appearance.
More Tips to Care for Leather Boots
In addition to regular cleaning, here are a few more ways to keep your leather shoes in good condition.
Use a Shoe Tree and Fabric Bags for Storage
Leather can easily lose its shape, so we recommend that you store your boots on a shoe tree. A shoe tree is a foot-shaped wooden block that helps maintain the shoe’s form. We suggest the Woodlore Shoe Tree made from cedar, which absorbs excess moisture, deodorizes, and helps prevent cracking.
If you wear your boots less frequently than once a week, consider storing them in a fabric bag to keep dust off the leather. Avoid plastic bags, as they limit breathability and can promote mold growth; breathable fabric is the ideal choice.
Apply Leather Serum to Restore Cracks and Roughness
Leather serum is made to enliven worn pairs of leather shoes or to serve as a preventative measure for a new pair. A good serum moisturizes the material, and this softening prevents further cracking. Our favorite is Christopher Pourney’s Leather Serum, which is made without harmful chemicals.
Using serum is easy. Apply a few drops to a soft cloth, then rub gently on the area of your shoe that requires treatment. Give it 24 hours to absorb and repeat as needed.
Have 2+ Pairs In Your Rotation
We recommend that you not wear the same pair of leather shoes for multiple days in a row, as this doesn’t allow them sufficient time to dry between uses. Instead, rotate between different pairs, which extends the lifespan of each one.
How to Waterproof Boots
While leather boots are water-resistant, they should never be soaked or submerged. If you anticipate wearing them in rainy, snowy, or wet conditions, we recommend pre-treating them with our Stan’s Footwear Cleaner. Regular use of this cleaner helps repel water, prevent cracking, and guard against salt stains.
To apply:
- Use a clean cloth to wipe down your shoes.
- Apply the cleaner to the cloth and gently rub into all leather surfaces.
- Allow them to dry before wearing.
- Repeat regularly for optimal protection.
How to Care for Suede Boots
Though similar to leather in many ways, suede boots require different maintenance because of suede’s extra sensitivity to water and stains. Here’s our advice to care for your suede boots:
- Apply water and stain repellent spray in advance of wearing
- Use a suede-specific brush to dust off dirt and debris. Make sure to only brush in one direction rather than back and forth, and don’t apply much pressure. We recommend this Four Seasons suede brush.
- Store your suede boots out of direct sunlight and humidity. A cool, dry closet is great.
- If your boots get wet, never apply heat to try and dry them out. Let them air dry naturally.
- If your boot gets stained, first use a dry cloth to blot any excess moisture. Then, use a suede eraser or a specially made suede cleaner to gently address the affected area.
- For severe stains, consider having the shoe professionally cleaned.
Shop Leather Care Products At Stan’s
At Stan’s, we care about more than getting you the right pair of shoes. We also want your new shoes to last you for a long time—that’s the point of investing in a quality pair! In addition to the leather care products shared above, we carry many more cleansing and protective products for all kinds of materials in store and online at stansshoes.com.
If you need help creating a shoe care routine, ask one of our friendly Fit Specialists in store, or call Customer Service Monday – Friday 9AM-4PM CST at 262.432.4030 x7