Leather boots are a classic wardrobe staple that never goes out of style. But because they can last for years, they have a tendency to get dirty easily. Although leather is a pretty resilient material, it’s also an investment, so it’s important to proactively take care of your items made with it (including your home’s leather furniture).
The good news is that cleaning shoes made of leather is a fairly straightforward process that only requires a handful of supplies. This step-by-step guide not only explains how to clean leather boots, but also breaks down how to remove stubborn stains so they stay spotless.
When to Clean Leather Boots
Before you begin, decide whether your boots need a full cleaning or simply a quick spot-treatment. New stains should be treated as needed and as quickly as possible. Even if you manage to avoid visible stains, if you wear them fairly frequently, you should aim to lightly clean them a few times per year.
While the main goal is to remove any visible dirt and restore their shine, think of this task as preventative maintenance. Bear in mind that cleaning leather more than necessary will age them faster, so try to avoid overdoing it.
How to Remove Stains from Leather Boots
Since you don't want to clean the entire boot more often than necessary, some dirt or stains can be spot-treated separately. Use the following methods to remove stains quickly and effectively.
How to treat salt stains: If your leather boots are covered in white residue after wearing them in the snow, grab a household pantry staple to erase salt stains quickly. Mix one part white vinegar with one part water, dip a soft cloth in the solution, and wipe the affected areas. The vinegar works to dissolve the salt.
How to treat oil stains: If your boots come in contact with oil, be prepared to break out the baking soda. Immediately after blotting the oil, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda onto the stain and softly rub it in with a dampened cloth. Allow it to sit overnight, then brush off the remaining power in the morning. You can also use cornstarch or talcum powder to achieve the same effect.
How to treat scuff marks: If leather polish doesn’t sufficiently camouflage a scratch on your boot, try this trick instead. Combine baking soda and water to form a paste, or use plain toothpaste (never gel) and rub it onto any scuffs you see with a soft cloth or unused toothbrush. Wipe it clean with a new damp cloth and allow the boots to dry.
How to Clean Leather Boots
For a general all-over cleaning, use the following method. If you need to spot treat a stain, do so before cleaning the rest of the boot.
- Prep Boots for CleaningIf your boots have laces, start by removing them. If they're looking a little worse for wear, you can always toss them in your next laundry load. Next, gently hit the boots together to knock off as much dried dirt or debris as you can. Finish by using a dry, soft cloth or a leather brush made of stiff horsehair to wipe off anything that remainins.How to Clean White Shoes (No Matter the Material)
Prep Boots for Cleaning
If your boots have laces, start by removing them. If they're looking a little worse for wear, you can always toss them in your next laundry load. Next, gently hit the boots together to knock off as much dried dirt or debris as you can. Finish by using a dry, soft cloth or a leather brush made of stiff horsehair to wipe off anything that remainins.
- Clean Boots with Soap and WaterCombine a bit of water in a small bowl with leather saddle soap. If you don’t have any on hand, simply swap it out for a mild dish soap such as Dawn. (Ideally, stick to an unscented version.) Dip a fresh microfiber cloth in the solution and wipe the outside of your boots. You may feel tempted to scrub set-in stains, but refrain from over-saturating the leather. Instead, take note of the spots and spot treat them separately, either before or after the all-over cleaning.
Clean Boots with Soap and Water
Combine a bit of water in a small bowl with leather saddle soap. If you don’t have any on hand, simply swap it out for a mild dish soap such as Dawn. (Ideally, stick to an unscented version.) Dip a fresh microfiber cloth in the solution and wipe the outside of your boots. You may feel tempted to scrub set-in stains, but refrain from over-saturating the leather. Instead, take note of the spots and spot treat them separately, either before or after the all-over cleaning.
- Rinse and Dry BootsDampen a new cloth with water and use it to rinse boots of any trace of soapy residue. Lightly run yet another cloth over them to soak up any excess moisture. Let the boots air dry completely before moving on to the next step. You can try placing them in the sun or hitting them with a hairdryer on a cool setting to speed up the process. Note that heat can damage leather, causing it to dry out and crack, so it's best to let the boots dry naturally indoors.
Rinse and Dry Boots
Dampen a new cloth with water and use it to rinse boots of any trace of soapy residue. Lightly run yet another cloth over them to soak up any excess moisture. Let the boots air dry completely before moving on to the next step. You can try placing them in the sun or hitting them with a hairdryer on a cool setting to speed up the process. Note that heat can damage leather, causing it to dry out and crack, so it's best to let the boots dry naturally indoors.
- Apply a Boot ConditionerJust like using a hair conditioner in the shower keeps your strands shiny and soft, a leather conditioner will have the same effect on your boots. Not only will it keep the material supple—which helps to prevent those irritating creases—but it also works to repel future stains. Once the boots are fully dry, place a small amount of conditioner on a clean cloth and apply it in circular motions to the outside. Let the conditioner set in for at least fifteen minutes before buffing it with another clean and dry cloth.
Apply a Boot Conditioner
Just like using a hair conditioner in the shower keeps your strands shiny and soft, a leather conditioner will have the same effect on your boots. Not only will it keep the material supple—which helps to prevent those irritating creases—but it also works to repel future stains. Once the boots are fully dry, place a small amount of conditioner on a clean cloth and apply it in circular motions to the outside. Let the conditioner set in for at least fifteen minutes before buffing it with another clean and dry cloth.
- Polish BootsThis last step is optional, but only takes a few extra minutes. Including a polishing step can take your boots to the next level. Unlike conditioner, which works by seeping into the material, polish provides a protective surface finish. It can cover up scuffs or other minor imperfections and bring a beautiful sheen back to your boots. All you have to do is add boot polish to a clean cloth and rub a thin layer onto the outside of the boots. Finish by buffing them with a brush for some serious shine.
Polish Boots
This last step is optional, but only takes a few extra minutes. Including a polishing step can take your boots to the next level. Unlike conditioner, which works by seeping into the material, polish provides a protective surface finish. It can cover up scuffs or other minor imperfections and bring a beautiful sheen back to your boots. All you have to do is add boot polish to a clean cloth and rub a thin layer onto the outside of the boots. Finish by buffing them with a brush for some serious shine.