Cleaning the Various Stains on Your Leather Boots

Leather boots are not immune to the elements. They can become dirty from snow, puddles, alcohol, and other liquids as they're worn. Real leather is porous, meaning it will absorb these liquids and create unwanted patches of different colors. Lighter leather boots can have more noticeable stains than darker leather boots.

For any stain your boots encounter, there is always a way to clean and restore them to their original look. Read on to learn about the proper methods for cleaning leather boots so they can look new for years to come.

Don’t be mistaken – water may be clear, but it can actually leave some undesirable spots and stains on leather boots.

Not to worry! Removing water stains from leather is a fairly easy process, and there are two ways to go about it:

• Wet the rest of the leather boot and allow the entire surface to dry. This is less about getting the stain out, and more focused on allowing the leather to dry all at once.

• Use a leather shoe polish or wax several times a year. This will not protect your boots if they are submerged or dunked. However, the polished coating allows water to roll off the boot, rather than soak into the leather.

When you clean your leather boots, make sure to remove the laces. If the laces are already clean, cleaning your boots can make them dirty or wet in the process. If your laces are dirty, they can be replaced or run through the washing machine. If possible, avoid using dirty laces with leather boots.

To clean loose dirt and debris from your boots, apply soap and warm water onto a soft cloth and remove any grime stuck to the leather surfaces. Wipe off the soap, dry with a towel, and use a leather conditioner to protect from future stains. Applying a conditioner will also give your boots a nice shine.

For ink stains, use a good nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol, and dip a cotton swab in either. Make sure to lightly blot the location of the stain, as rubbing can cause the ink to spread further. Once the stain is gone, wipe boots with a damp cloth and dry with a towel.

If you don’t know the type of stain on your boots, you can mix a paste with equal parts lemon juice and cream of tartar. Apply the paste to the stained area and allow it to sit for 30-45 minutes. Once the time has passed, wipe off the paste using a damp cloth.

Be aware that this method should not be used with darker leather as it can have a bleaching effect and cause more damage to your boots. Instead of lemon juice, you can use 1 tablespoon of vinegar and water. Not only will this clean your boots, but the vinegar will restore their shine as well!