With winter in full force, you have inevitably pulled your boots out of storage and worn them a time or two by now.
Whether you wear them a little, or a lot, here are some helpful tips to keep your boots looking like new:
Full-grain & Oiled Leather Boots
- Wash dirt and mud off with water and mild soap.
- Stuff toe box with paper to maintain shape. (Newspaper or tissue paper works well for this.)
- For tall boots, use a boot shaper or cardboard tube (an empty paper towel tube works well) to keep creases from forming.
- Allow boots to air-dry at room temperature. Do not attempt to dry boots on or near a heat source as it may dry out and stiffen the leather.
- Once the boots are dry, apply boot and shoe oil or leather dressing liberally and let stand overnight. Don't use polish on rattlesnake boots. On snakeskin boots, apply polish with the grain of the scales.
- Wipe off any excess oil or dressing before wearing. Keep in mind that this may this may slightly darken leather.
- Using the above system preserves and weatherproofs your boots.
- Do not use this method on brushed, suede or silicone treated leathers (see following tips).
Suede, Nubuck & Split Leather Boots
- Brush off the dirt with a nylon bristle brush. Do not use water.
- Stuff toe box with paper to maintain shape. (Newspaper or tissue paper works well for this.)
- For tall boots, insert a book shaper or cardboard tube (an empty paper towel tube works well) to keep creases from forming.
- Apply a silicone-waterproofing productevenly and let dry at room temperature, away from a direct heat source.
- Repeat waterproofing application. This process will allow boots to repel rain, snow and moisture.
PVC and Vinyl Boots
- Rinse boots thoroughly after every use with water (use a mild soap if needed).
- Allow boots to dry in a cool, dry place, preferably by hanging them on a boot rack or using a boot dryer.
- Do not dry in direct sunlight as prolonged exposure to sun may contribute to drying out and stiffening of boot materials.
- For waders, turn inside out and hang to dry. This will also help to prevent odor buildup.
Rubber Boots
- Rinse boots thoroughly after every use with water (use a mild soap if needed).
- Allow the boots to dry thoroughly in a cool, dry place, preferably by hanging them on a boot rack or using a boot dryer.
- Do not dry in direct sunlight as prolonged exposure to sun may contribute to drying out and stiffening of materials.
- Treat rubber boots regularly with a rubber conditioner.
- For waders, turn inside out and hang to dry. This will also help to prevent odor buildup.
Even if you take excellent care of your footwear, sometimes dirt and grime can build up. Seek out a good shoe repair establishment for regular maintenance and before storing boots and shoes away at the end of each season.
For shoe repair in Tampa Bay, check out one of these businesses:
Florida Shoe Repair, 406 East Zack Street, Tampa (813) 223-1020
Lee’s Shoe Repair, 4555 West Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa (813) 281-2886
Reina Shoe Repair, 305 East Twiggs Street, Tampa (813) 228-8487
Tampa Shoe Repair, 3836 South Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa (813) 837-8363
Tom’s Shoe Repair, 1911 Drew Street, Clearwater (727) 442-7579
Tri-City Shoe Repair, 5352 East Bay Drive, Clearwater (727) 531-8112
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