No cowboy boot is safe from being spotless all the time unless you don’t wear it at all. If you wear cowboy boots all the time, your boots definitely have their fair share of dirt, grime, and mud.
To clean dirty and muddy cowboy boots, you can use a horsetail brush to remove the dirt and mud from your boots. For any stubborn stains on suede leather boots, wiping the stain with a cloth damp with white vinegar can remove the stains.
If you are looking for a detailed guide on how to clean cowboy boots, you are in the right place! In this article, we will talk about how to clean leather and suede cowboy boots and we will also be talking about some tips on how to care for your boots to make them last longer.
How To Clean Cowboy Boots
Cleaning cowboy boots is easy if you know what you are doing and have the right cleaning tools. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to clean cowboy boots.
Have The Right Materials
When cleaning cowboy boots, you must have several things on hand to make cleaning easier. The kind of boot cleaner you will use will also depend on the boot’s material.
Leather and suede cowboy boots are made of different materials and must be cleaned differently. Knowing what your cowboy boots are made of will make sure that you are cleaning the boots correctly. This will keep the boots from getting damaged.
Here are the materials needed to clean leather and suede cowboy boots:
– Small cleaning brush for spot cleaning (e.g. old toothbrush
– Horsetail brush
– Leather conditioner
– Leather polish
– Clean cloth
– Water
– White vinegar (for suede cowboy boots)
Remove Dirt And Mud From The Boots
If you have muddy cowboy boots, you want to remove the dirt, grime, and mud first. Remove any dried-up mud on your cowboy boots using an old toothbrush. Make sure to get into the welt and sole of the boots as these are the areas where most of the dirt and mud are. Once the mud has been removed, use a horsetail brush to remove the remaining dirt from the boots.
Use Warm Soapy Water Or Saddle Soap
If there is any stubborn mud on your leather boots, you can use a cloth damp with warm soapy water to loosen up the mud. Make sure that the soapy water does not go to other parts of the boots. Let the warm soapy water soften the mud for about 5 minutes then use a toothbrush to brush off the mud.
You can also use a small amount of saddle soap to clean stubborn dirt and mud on your boots. Use a clean cloth and dampen it with warm water then lather a small amount of saddle soap on the cloth and scrub it into the dirt. Once the mud is wiped off, use a new clean damp cloth to wipe the saddle soap off of the boots. Aside from regular soap and saddle soap, you can also use a mixture of baking soda and water to soften up the dirt.
Once all the dirt and mud are gone, let the boots dry completely.
For suede cowboy boots, use a toothbrush to remove any mud or dirt. For stubborn mud stains, wipe them with a clean cloth damp with white vinegar. Make sure that the cloth is not soaking wet. After wiping the stains with white vinegar, let the boots dry then brush the stains off using a clean toothbrush or horsetail brush.
Maintain Your Boots With A Conditioner
After the boots are completely dry, you need to apply a leather conditioner to the leather cowboy boots to moisturize them. However, before applying the conditioner, warm the boots up first by leaving them under the sun for a few minutes. Conditioning cowboy boots will keep the leather pliable and will prevent their color from changing.
Use a small amount of conditioner and apply it to the boots. After applying the conditioner, let the boots dry then buff the boots with a clean cloth.
For suede boots, you can apply a suede protector once the boots are clean and dry. Make sure that you do not use polishes, conditioners, or shoe creams on suede boots as these products can cause the boots to stretch and have wear marks.
How To Clean The Inside Of Your Cowboy Boots
Cleaning cowboy boots should not stop on the outside. The inside of a cowboy boot should also get its love and care by cleaning its insoles and linings.
The inside of the boots can be a breeding ground for mold and dirt if not cleaned regularly. Cowboy boots will also develop an unpleasant smell if you don’t air them out and clean the insides properly.
To clean the insides of your cowboy boots, you need to remove the insoles and clean them first. Scrub the insoles with warm soapy water to get rid of any dirt or grime. Once the dirt is gone, rinse the insoles until they are clean. Let the insoles dry completely while you clean the linings.
If the insoles of your boots are also made of leather, you need to use a leather cleaner instead of soap. Wipe it off the leather cleaner with a clean cloth instead of rinsing the insoles with water.
Aside from cleaning the boot’s insoles, you also want to clean the boots’ linings. You can do this by brushing it with a clean brush or using a small vacuum cleaner.
If you want the linings to be totally clean, you can spray them lightly with water and then scrub the linings with a fabric cleaner. After scrubbing the linings with a fabric cleaner, use a clean rag to wipe and soak the fabric cleaner off.
Let the boots dry completely by using a boot dryer, boots tree, or using a newspaper and letting it absorb the moisture in the lining.
Tips for Caring For Your Cowboy Boots
If you wear cowboy boots on a regular basis, you want to make sure that you are caring for them and maintaining them regularly. Not only does this keep your boots clean but it will also make them last longer.
Don’t let grime and mud sit on your boots for too long. After each use, you can use a horsetail brush to remove dirt from your boots before storing them away. This way, the dirt will not stick to the boots. Leaving the mud to dry on the boots can make it harder to remove.
You can also polish your leather boots every other week to maintain their appearance and polish off any creases or scratches. Don’t use polishes or conditioners on suede boots as they can damage them. When using polish or conditioners, make sure to use a product that is designed for leather boots to avoid damaging them.
Conclusion
Cleaning cowboy boots is a must, especially if you wear them regularly. Brushing the dirt off away with a horsetail brush regularly will keep the boots clean. If there is any stubborn mud, soften it with warm soapy water then wipe it off with a clean cloth.
We have talked about cleaning cowboy boots in detail in this article to help you out with your boots. If you have any questions, let us know via the contact form on our website and we’ll get back to you!
