How to clean leather work boots. It's easy to ignore your work boots after you buy them, but taking the time to care for them will help them last longer. Cleaning your boots once a month will keep them from wearing out inside and out.
In this article, we'll give you some quick tips to keep your safety shoes, such as our men's lace-up work boots, in top condition.
Clean the inside and insoles
One of the worst things about safety boots and loafers can be the smell. So how do you get rid of that funk?
Before cleaning the rest of the boot, remove the insoles and wash them in the washing machine with mild soapy water or hand wash with a low pH shampoo.
While you wait for the insoles to air dry, use a damp cloth and low pH shampoo to clean the inside of the boot until the smell is gone.
If the shoe is very dirty inside, you should rub it with shampoo and rinse well.
Use a clean, dry cloth to wipe up any shampoo residue and remove as much moisture from the boot as possible. Then let the inside of your boot air-dry overnight at room temperature using a boot tree or some other way of hanging your boots upside down.
Do not put clean work shoes in the dryer, otherwise, the glue may melt. Instead, find a warm spot in the house and add crumpled newspaper to the boots to absorb excess moisture and keep their shape.
What about leather boots?
Leather boots are great, but they take a little more work to clean without causing damage. For light cleaning, use a moderately damp cloth or brush to remove dust and dirt.
Use an old toothbrush to thoroughly clean the areas around the leather upper; sole and creases where adherent dirt may have accumulated, causing the material to stain and scratch.
For a deeper cleanse, the process is a little more intense:
1. After removing dirt and debris with a soft cloth, add a leather cleaner
Saddle soap cleans and moisturizes leather so that it lasts longer, it can also be used on materials other than leather. Add saddle soap using a damp brush or cloth in circular motions. Work the foam into the surface as you add it to the entire shoe. Rinse the boot until it is clean. Use a clean cloth to wipe excess soapy water from the leather boot.
2. Let your boot air dry without heat
3. Condition leather with oil
Let your clean work boots dry before the next step, but don't want too much time or the leather will dry out from the cleaning. Work the conditioner into the leather throughout the boot. The conditioner helps to moisturize the leather to prevent it from drying out and cracking.
If you want to get your boots polished, now is the time to do it. Using a clean cloth to remove the excess conditioner, buff the boots in long circular motions and give them a nice shine.
Keep in mind that if the cab is suede or nubuck, the oil will darken the leather, but it will nourish and help keep it from drying out.
Clean the soles
Soles generally don't need cleaning unless you're concerned about the finish of the surface you'll be walking on. If so, the first step is easy to skip as you don't often look at the sole of your shoes, but dirt and stones left on the soles will wear out the sole and shoe.
When cleaning the soleplate, use a stiff brush to remove solid dirt. You may also need pliers to remove rocks or other debris from the tread.
After you've removed all the cured dirt and grime, use a brush and mild soapy water to thoroughly wash the soles of your boots. Now you can proceed to the rest of the boat.
That didn’t take too much time, did it?
Taking care of your boots doesn't have to be difficult, but it can extend the life of your work boots for years. We hope this easy guide to cleaning the inside and outside of your boots will help allay any concerns you may have.
Whether you own a pair of leather work boots or not, cleaning them is an easy process that you shouldn't forget. Do you have any questions about cleaning your work shoes?
Visit one of the Boot Word locations today for expert advice and input!