Leather care is essential for ensuring your boots last as long as possible and look like the day you brought them.
Leather Care – Cleaning
The first step in this process is to clean your leather boots regularly. Cleaning your boots removes dirt, grime and dust from the leather’s pores that can stop conditioning and waterproofing products from sinking in.
Leather is skin, so the pores need to be kept unclogged in order for it to retain a supple quality. Remove the laces for the best access to the entire boot.
You may need to use a damp cloth to remove mud and sweat from your boots before applying the cleaner. Pay close attention to the seams and stitching where dirt may get wedged, this will help preserve them.
To clean your boots, use a cloth and a leather cleaner such as Sterling Essentials. Did you know that leather is acidic? However, most of our cleaning products are alkaline based meaning they aren’t good for the leather.
The Sterling Essentials range has been created with this in mind and will leave your leather in the best condition possible.
Sterling Leather Cleaner and Conditioner
Leather Care – Conditioning
Apply conditioner to feed the leather it is important not to over condition as this can lead to your boots growing mildew. Apply sparingly and allow to dry, if there is excess remaining on the boot remove with a clean cloth.
Leather Care – Polishing
You may wonder, why condition and polish your shoes? Well, conditioning encourages nourishment while polishing helps to maintain shine.
Now that your boots are cleaned and feed it’s time to make them SHINE!
Firstly, make sure you lay down some newspaper or plastic as polish stains can be stubborn to remove.
Parlanti Polish
Use a small pea sized amount of Parlanti polish and with the sponge provided, spread it evenly across the leather in small circles. The ‘less is more’ philosophy applies to polish as well.
Wipe off any excess polish with a cloth and leave your shoes to dry for 20 minutes. Wiping your shoes encourages the polish to sink deeper into the leather’s pores and helps to create even and consistent colouring.
Once your shoes have dried make sure to buff them with a cloth or soft boot brush. Use a brisk back-and-forth movement to get that sparkling shine that leather lovers strive for!
Leather Care – Water Proofing
If you’re wanting to winter proof your boots then it’s time to water proof them. We recommend Collonil Carbon Pro, this spray not only waterproofs the boot but also repels your horses sweat while remaining breathable.
When used regularly, the Carbon Pro can increase the life span of your boots.
Leather Care – Extra Tips
Carbon Pro water proofer
Leather doesn’t love water. Avoid wearing them into the wash bay and if you get saturated while riding stuff your boots with news paper and leave them in a place to dry with plenty of airflow.
Using a boot fill of some sort (it can even be a pool noodle) when not wearing your boots. This will stop the teeth in the zips from bending and reduce the chance of it bursting.
By following this leather care guide you will increase the life span of you boots and keep them looking new!
