CLEANING WESTERN BOOTS

Western boots are subjected to dust, mud and intensive wear so it is important to take care of them. Riding a horse means often finding yourself in the midst of dust, mud and manure. Our customers often ask us what the best maintenance method is to ensure that their boots remain beautiful over time. In this short article we will examine what we think is the best way to take care of your boots and we will do it in a few simple steps:

1. EVERY TIME YOU WEAR - Every time you wear your boots, at the end of the day, remove dust and dirt. Dust is abrasive to the leather and mud left to dry on boots ends up weakening the leather causing splits and cracks. Failure to properly clean the soles, heels and stitching can alter the overall appearance of the boot. You can use a soft bristle brush or a damp cloth to remove dust and dirt from the boot. You can use a smaller toothbrush to remove dirt from crevices, seams, heels and soles. You can use a damp sponge to remove heavy mud from encrusted areas where the mud has dried. You may need to use extra effort to remove stubborn stains but absolutely do not use solvents, petrol, household or industrial cleaners to try to remove stains. Do not immerse or wash your boots in running water. Remove excess water as quickly as possible with a soft, dry cloth and allow to air dry.  

2. LEATHER CARE - To keep your boots looking their best, make sure the leather doesn't dry out. Using a good boot cream will keep the leather supple. Apply the cream with a soft cloth using circular movements. Do not use large quantities of cream and do not use fat. The skin can only absorb a small amount of cream beyond which it will tend to become saturated, greasy and sticky. Remove excess cream with a soft, dry cloth. Without cream or other boot-specific products, the leather may dry out, creating creases, cracks, or tears.

3. PROTECT - If possible, avoid using your boots in water, mud, manure or other wet debris. If your boots are exposed to excessive water or muddy conditions, do the following: Remove any mud, dirt or manure as soon as possible with a soft brush, damp cloth or towel. Once the boots have been properly cleaned and excess water removed, the boots should be dried with a clean, dry towel and allowed to air dry at room temperature. Do not leave your boots in front of a fireplace, stove, oven, in direct sunlight and do not use a hair dryer to dry them. This will only ruin the skin making it hard and crepey.

4. REJUVENATE - When your boots become scratched or scuffed due to normal wear and tear there are a few things you can do to make the scratch or scuffed area less noticeable. In this case, look for a cream in the color that is as close as possible to the damaged area. Using a soft cloth, apply thin layers of cream polish to the damaged area. After the cream has dried, brush or wipe off any excess cream and repeat these steps until you even out the damaged area.
If your boots have become stiff or dry due to improper care, you can try use leather saddle soap to restore the leather. However, regular use of saddle soap can dull or remove the finish designed by the manufacturer.It should only be used when boots are in very poor condition due to lack of care.
Proper care also means making sure you repair and replace soles and heels regularly, before the base of the boot is completely worn or broken. Be sure to repair your boots before holes appear in the sole, the heel becomes damaged, broken, or the heel pad is missing. Take your boots to a professional shoe repair shop to ensure the job is done correctly.

From the steps listed above it is clear that the best thing you can do to keep your boots in good condition so that they last as long as possible and remain beautiful is to take constant care of them. The first thing is not to use them in extreme conditions, in the presence of mud or water. Riding boots (https://bandanashop.it/collections/stivali-western) in most cases are not waterproof and therefore if exposed to water the leather absorbs it, weakening it. The second is to carry out frequent maintenance, that is, after each use. 

You can add your experiences or advice in the comments.