How to Clean Leather Boots: Spring Guide
1 May 2026
Leather boots are an investment, and whether you’ve invested in a classic Chelsea style or a rugged lace-up boot, they deserve proper care. In this guide, we’ll show you how to keep your leather boots clean for years to come.
Cleaning isn’t just about the aesthetic of the shoe. Keeping your leather boots clean extends their lifespan, preserving your investment and ensuring they deliver comfort and protection for your feet over the years.
Here’s what we’ll cover in this guide:
- Types of leather boots & cleaning differences
- Leather boot cleaning materials
- Step-by-step guide to cleaning leather boots
- How to remove stains from leather boots
- Tips for maintaining your boots once cleaned
Types of Leather Boots & Cleaning Differences
Cleaning principles across different types of leather boots, but the specifics can vary. So before starting, we recommend familiarising yourself with the specifics of your boot type to achieve the best clean and avoid any unintentional damage.
- Full-grain leather is durable and common, and responds well to standard leather cleaning and conditioning techniques
- Suede or nubuck requires a different, specialist approach
- Patent leather has a wipe-clean finish and only needs minimal product to achieve a clean
- Waxed leather needs wax re-application rather than a standard polish
There is also a variety across boot types:
- Knee-high and calf-length boots need extra attention to the shaft
- Chelsea boots need attention on the elastic gusset
- Lace-up boots should have the laces removed before cleaning
With these things in mind, let’s take a look at what you’ll need to clean your leather boots.
Leather Boots Cleaning Materials
Here’s a simple list of the materials you’ll need for cleaning leather:
- Soft-bristled brush to remove any surface-level dirt
- Clean cloths or microfibre cloths - at least 2, one for cleaning and one for buffing
- Leather cleaner or saddle soap
- Leather conditioner
- Shoe polish that matches the colour of your boots
- Waterproofing / protective spray
- Old toothbrush - optional, for seams
Do not use washing-up liquid, household cleaners, or baby wipes. These strip natural oils from leather and can lead to drying out or cracking.
Guide to Cleaning Leather Boots
Follow these steps in order, without skipping any, for the best results. Skipping steps is where most people go wrong and can lead to an incomplete clean or even damage to your boots.
Step 1: Remove Dirt & Debris
If you’ve got lace-up boots, remove the laces. Insert boot trees or balled up newspaper into your boots to hold their shape, then use the soft-bristled brush or a dry cloth to remove loose dirt. Work from the top of the boots to the bottom.
If your boots are muddy, let it dry before brushing otherwise you risk smearing it into the leather.
Step 2: Clean the Leather
Apply a small amount of leather cleaner or saddle soap to the damp cloth - never to the boot directly. Work in circular motions across the leather, taking one section at a time. If you’re cleaning knee-high or calf-length boots, clean down the shaft carefully to avoid patches.
Use an old toothbrush for seams, stitching, and any other tricky-to-reach places. Wipe off residue with a damp cloth and avoid oversaturation - leather does not respond well to being too wet!
Step 3: Dry Your Leather Boots
You should never use direct heat to dry leather: radiators, hairdryers, direct sunlight - all will cause leather to crack or warp. Instead, pat excess moisture off carefully with a dry cloth, then leave your boots to air dry at room temperature in a well-ventilated area.
Keep the boot trees or newspaper inside your boots while drying to help the boots retain their shape. Expect this step to take several hours: ensure they are fully dry before moving on to the next step.
Step 4: Condition the Leather
This is the most important step, and one that many people skip. Conditioning your boots leads to a longer lifespan by replacing the natural oils that are stripped from the leather by the cleaning process.
Apply a small amount of leather conditioner to a clean cloth and, again, work in small circular motions. Let the conditioner absorb fully, per the instructions on the packet, then wipe off any excess with a clean cloth.
You should aim to condition your boots every 4-6 weeks if you wear them regularly to keep them in optimal condition.
Step 5: Polish & Shine Your Boots
Polishing restores colour and adds a protective layer. Add polish with a cloth or applicator brush, in small circular motions. Choose a colour that matches your boot.
Apply several thin layers rather than one thick layer, then leave to dry briefly and buff to a shine with a clean cloth.
Step 6: Protect Your Boots
This step seals everything in from the previous steps and protects against future damage. Apply a waterproofing spray or wax-based protection spray and allow it to dry fully before wearing.
This step is especially important for boots worn in autumn and winter, as these conditions are most damaging to boots. Prevention is much easier than stain removal, so avoid the temptation of skipping this step!
How to Remove Stains from Leather Boots
Even with the best care, stains can happen. If you’ve spotted a stain on your favourite leather boots, here’s how to remove it:
- Salt stains are common in winter and can be removed by mixing equal parts white vinegar and water, then dabbing gently with a cloth. Condition afterwards.
- Oil or grease should be blotted immediately with a dry cloth, then sprinkled with cornstarch or talcum. Leave this overnight, then brush off and clean as normal.
- Water stains are slightly counterintuitive: you need to add more water, dampening the entire panel, then allow it to dry naturally. This leads to a consistent dry rather than a visible blemish where the original water was.
- Scuffmarks can be removed via conditioning, with deeper scuffs potentially needing polish.
General rules for stain removal: act quickly, always blot and never rub, and condition after any stain treatment.
Tips for Maintaining Leather Boots
Once your boots are clean and you’re in the habit of cleaning regularly, here are some tips to maximise the condition and lifespan of leather shoes.
- Clean regularly: a quick brush after each wear prevents dirt build-up and makes full cleans easier
- Store properly: keep your boots in a cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight, and use boot trees for longer pairs to prevent shaft creasing
- Rotate your boots: alternate between different pairs. Giving boots time to air and dry out between wears will keep them in better condition
- Know when to see a professional: there are limits to what a clean can achieve - if you spot deep scratches, colour loss or similar, you may want to take your boots to a cobbler
There’s Nothing Like a Well-Loved Boot
Investing in a leather boot is a choice your feet and style will thank you for, and if you treat your boots with care, they’ll reciprocate for years to come. Our range of leather boots for men and women includes an attractive selection of styles, from Chelsea boots to knee-high boots and beyond. We also sell shoe care products to keep them in tip-top condition, and our team - online or in-store - is ready to help you find - and maintain - your new favourite pair.