Caring for Your Boots During Winter
Winter is in full force. There's nothing in your wardrobe that takes more of a punishment than your boots. During winter you put them through an array of elements including: rain, snow, sleet, and salt.
If you want to ensure the lifetime of your investment, follow these easy steps and your boots will be ready to go not only this season, but for future seasons to come.
1) Allow the boots to air dry.
If your boots are wet, the best way to dry them is to allow them to air dry slowly. To help them dry, stuff them with newspaper to absorb the moisture and change the paper as they dry.
Never put your leather boots near or over a direct heat source such as a space heater, fireplace, or blow dryer for an extended period of time. These may seem like good ideas for a quick drying method, but they will be harsh on the leather outside of your boots as well as the glues holding the layers together.
So be patient and give the boots time to dry.
2) Brush Your Boots!
An overlooked aspect of boot maintenance is brushing. Think of it this way: leather is a skin that has pores that need to breathe. Those pores can dry out and crack if they are clogged from snow, dirt, and other clogging elements.
Using a quality horsehair brush will help you to clean off the leather and clear the pores of any clogging elements. Remove the laces and brush the boot clean until you are confident it's clear of any elements.
Brushing your boots is important for the next step of conditioning.
3) Hydrate the Leather
Now that you have cleaned the boots, it is time to nourish them. Unlike our own skin, leather has no way to rehydrate itself. Applying a leather conditioner will rehydrate the leather and keep them supple.
Conditioning will keep the life in your leather and keep them looking their best.
There's plenty of conditioners out there so find what you like best. Be sure to test it on the leather first to avoid any unnecessary darkening.
We recommend our Leather N Rich because it is uniquely formulated to clean, condition, and water protect all leathers without darkening them.
4) Repeat and don't neglect
Sometimes it feels like winter lasts forever. You will need to repeat these steps depending on the elements and conditions you put your boots through.
Neglecting your boots may cause irreversible damage. So it's best to take the necessary precautions to keep your boots looking their best and ready to go.
Following these 4 easy steps will ensure your boots last a lifetime. Quality leather boots are made to handle any conditions, but caring for them properly will ensure they stand the test of time.
Let us know if you have any questions or if we can help you care for your boots! We're always happy to help.
