Cleaning and Polishing Leather Boots

Leather goods are durable and used often. These Redwing work boots for example need a little TLC. Cleaning, conditioning, and polishing leather goods keeps them looking nice and in tip top shape. The photo is a side by side before and after!

Nylon (or horsehair) brush

saddle soap (or neutral cleaner such as Dawn dish soap in a pinch)

microfiber (or cotton) towel

brown leather polish

additional tip: Lexol conditioner if saddle soap/ conditioning polish isn't used

Identify the type of leather to be cleaned by examining the feel, appearance, and flexibility/ thickness. (Suede has a soft, velvety texture whereas natural leather is smooth and cool feeling.) These are natural leather.

Wash the boots with saddle soap cleaner (since they're natural leather). Cleaning is pretty straight forward, the following are some helpful tips: hold boot by sliding non-dominant hand inside; scrub crevice where sole and upper boot are stitched together; and scrub sole sides (and bottom if you wish). Set to air dry once rinsed and soap free.

Condition leather with Lexol conditioner. Can spray on a microfiber cloth or directly onto leather and rub in. Make sure to saturate evenly. Allow to dry after conditioning, and before polishing. Some polishes are multipurpose and include conditioning, but it is always better to condition as a separate step.

After boots are completely dry it is time to polish. I would caution to choose a lighter shade rather than darker. With the microfiber or cotton towel, spread polish in an even, light layer and buff. To buff, hold the towel tight across boot and seesaw until it starts to shine. This can take a while by hand.

Allow to completely dry before wearing! Regularly condition to keep boots in peak shape!

These are work boots so they don't shine super well, but other leather goods can be buffed out shinier!