If you plan on wearing your favourite leather and suede boots for years to come, it’s time to get serious about their maintenance. From cleaning and conditioning, to storing them properly, there is lots you can do to ensure your beloved boots go the distance. With the change in seasons, now is the perfect time to think about putting some of your heavier winter styles away until you’re ready to wear them again. Unfortunately, when your shoes are stored incorrectly, irreversible damage can take place. Here’s our step-by-step guide to avoiding common pitfalls and keeping your boots looking their absolute best.
Depending on how often you wear your suede or leather boots, we recommend cleaning them at least once a week although ideally, you’d give them a quick wipe down after each wear. Of course, you should treat specific stains and marks as and when they appear. Before you even think about storing your boots over a longer period of time, it’s crucial that you give them a thorough clean to prevent dirt becoming ingrained. We have put together our top tips for cleaning your suede boots and leather boots.
Conditioning your boots maintains their appearance, making the leather or suede more supple and resistant to cracking, as well as helping to prevent scratches or marks from daily wear. It is important to purchase a conditioning product that’s been specifically developed for either suede or leather.
Condition your boots once you have completed the above cleaning steps, ensuring the product is evenly distributed using a soft, clean cloth.
Maintaining the shape of your favourite boots is key in terms of storing them properly. Short-term, when your boots are stood in your wardrobe or shoe cupboard:
Boots, especially tall ones, can lose their shape or develop creases if not stored correctly.
Your boots should be stored in a cool, dry place. Avoid direct sunlight as it can fade the color of your boots, especially if they're made of natural materials.
Don't cram your boots together. Ensure there's space between each pair to allow for air circulation, which helps prevent mold and mildew.
Even in storage, it's a good idea to periodically check your boots. Brush off any dust, ensure they're still holding their shape, and address any emerging issues.
If you have several pairs, rotate which ones you wear frequently. This prevents overuse on a single pair and extends the lifespan of all your boots.
With our guide, caring for and storing your boots should be fairly straightforward. However, there are some common mistakes that you should be aware of. Here’s what to remember…
- Leave wet shoes to dry naturally, never use artificial heat. A handy tip is to use a shoe tree or stuff them with newspaper to help maintain the shape of your shoes while drying.
- Try using a protective spray that will help to guard against staining and water penetration. Please note, this will not make your shoes waterproof.
- Heel caps can be replaced by a cobbler but do avoid letting them wear down – walking on metal, or worn-down rubber tips is uncomfortable and causes further damage to your boots, even on a block heeled boot.
- Your cobbler is your best friend when it comes to maintaining your boots. Take boots to a cobbler when you see any signs of wear and tear. They will give your boots a new lease of life, whether it’s leather maintenance, replacing a zip, re-soling or re-heeling.
