How To Care For Your Boots

By: Frances Smith

Break Studios Contributing Writer

When you make the investment in new footwear, you need to know how to care for your boots. It's possible, with the right care, for boots to last many years. For leather boots, it's important to seal them before wearing too many times so the surface is protected and sealed from the elements.

To care for your boots, you will need:

shoe or boot brush
weatherproofing sealant designed for boots
saddle soap
soft rags

Wear your boots a few times to break them in. New boots are often stiff. When you wear them, the leather will soften and allow the weatherproofing to get into the leather better. Try to stay out of mud and rain but wearing the boots will help soften the stiff leather.
Brush off any dirt from the boots. Brush the entire leather portion to be sealed to gently rough the surface. To care for your boots, wipe with clean cloth to prepare them for a sealant application.
Apply a good weatherproofing sealant to the boots. Apply the sealant according to the directions on the package. A light application is better than heavily applying the sealant. Let the boots dry away from a heat source overnight.
Buff the boots to a shine. After the sealant is completely dry, lightly brush the boots then buff your boots to a shine.
Clean your boots often. Care for your boots as they get dirty. Each time you notice mud or dried dirt accumulating, clean your boots. Use a stiff bristled brush to scrape off the mud and dirt. Use saddle soap and a soft brush to work the leather conditioner into the boot leather. Buff your boots with a soft cloth and let dry over night.
Wax your boots as often as needed. When the surface starts to look worn, applying a light coat of good boot wax will help keep the surface tight and leakproof which is important to care for your boots.
Leave boots open to air dry. After each wearing, open the top of your boots to let them air dry from the inside out. This will let any sweat or moisture dry naturally and keep your boots in good shape longer. If your boots are still wet and you need to wear them the next day, stuff wadded newspapers into the boots to help absorb the moisture. However, keep boots away from direct heat or the leather will crack.