Winter weather making your favorite boots look a little weathered? No need to worry. We have just the tips for you. When caring for your boots there are four main steps, which go as follows…
1.) Dirty Boots? Clean it up with…
Excess dirt can make your leather boots look, well, dirty. Wipe them off with a damp cloth before you apply any product.
2.) Use a conditioner.
Would you ever shampoo your hair without conditioning afterwards? Yea, we did not think so. Same goes for your boots. Leather boots can become dry and eventually crack, so this step is important. Put a liberal amount of conditioner on a dry cloth and apply to your boot. Let it dry for 24 hours before you wear them.
3.) Polish is not just for nails.
Polishing your leather boots will make them look bright and shiny. You can bring your shoes to a shoe repair shop and they will shine them for you. But, if you want to do this yourself, buy a shoe polish in the correct color and apply with a dry cloth. Let the boots dry for 24 hours before wearing.
4.) Protect.
Weatherproofing products will protect your shoes from future damage. These products protect against water damage and other unsightly occurrences.
SOS: The dreaded oil stain
Here is a little anecdote for you. Over break, I had a catastrophe happen to my favorite pair of riding boots. Trying on clothes in Madewell, I came out of the dressing room and happened to glance down at my boots. My heart stopped. I had a huge oil stain on the top of my boot. After having a minor panic attack and potentially freaking out some fellow shoppers, I rushed home and googled all possible solutions. Two words: corn starch. Literally, a life saver. If this ever happens to you, dab some corn starch onto the affected area with a dry rag. Leave it on and reapply every hour. In 24 hours, your boots will look brand new. Mark my words.
Until next time, keep calm and polish on.