| Work Boots
HOW SHOULD I CARE FOR MY BOOTS?
Periodically clean, polish, and condition your boots. With proper care, you
can add years to the life of your boots while retaining their original good
looks. Without the natural occurring lubricants and protectants of living skin,
it's essential to keep leather clean and to add waterproofing conditioners to
maintain it.
Use a non-abrasive pencil eraser to remove scuff marks. Clean the welt (the
stitching area between top of the boot and sole) and seams with an old
toothbrush. A stiff non-metallic brush, sponge, and a little bit of plain water
will reasonably clean your boots.
If they need a more thorough cleaning, remove the worst of dirt or mud using
the brush first, then a slightly wet sponge to remove the remaining dirt (Water
in small amounts will not hurt leather).
When necessary, use saddle soap and water for a better cleaning. Be sure to
rinse away all of the saddle soap. Residual saddle soap will damage leather,
just as dried soap left on your skin will damage and cause excessive drying.
Never use a detergent--it destroys the natural oils. Always use a proper leather
saddle soap for cleaning.
While the leather is still slightly moist after a good cleaning, apply a
leather conditioner to replace the leather's natural oils. We recommend Lexol
conditioner or any good quality conditioner containing lanolin. Set your clean
and treated boots aside for 24 hours to dry. It's always a good idea to use shoe
trees so that your boots maintain their shape. Later, apply boot polish or wax,
and buff to a shine.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY BOOTS GET
WET?
The first thing to consider is that boots should be waxed or oiled so that
they tend to repel water. The less water absorbed by leather, the longer it will
last and the more comfortable you'll be. Wet leather will stretch and weaken,
shrinking and becoming brittle as it dries. Once your boots are wet, however,
they should be dried as soon as possible with room temperature, dry air (Between
70-95 degrees Fahrenheit or 20-35 degrees Centigrade). If you're in a situation
where you can't properly dry your boots, wear them in a dry area until they can
dry out a bit before you take them off.
It's important to avoid drying them near a fire or heater. This overheating
will literally cook the leather and cause it to become stiff and brittle. The
best technique is to ensure that dry, room temperature air can circulate inside
the boots.
If you let the boots sit in a wet condition for days without drying out, they
can become moldy. This isn't good for the boot, and mold or mildew is nearly
impossible to get rid of.
HOW SHOULD I TAKE CARE OF MY BOOTS
THAT HAVE AN OILY TYPE LEATHER (AS FOUND ON WESCO BOOTS AND MOST CONSTRUCTION
TYPE BOOTS)?
Use a product like Huberd's Shoe Grease or Bee Oil.
I HAVE A PAIR OF BOOTS THAT ARE
VERY DRY AND THE LEATHER IS CRACKING. IS THERE ANY TREATMENT TO RESTORE
THEM?
Clean & re-dye them. Use grease or oil to help restore the
leather.
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