Care Tips for Boots and Shoes

Your boots and shoes may take a beating but that doesn't mean they can't stay gorgeous. With these simple tips, you can keep every pair looking great all season long.

1

The perfect time to spray those brand new boots or shoes with a protector spray (check out our Protector Spray) or coat with wax (such as the all-natural ShoeRescue Wax), is before wearing them. Pay extra attention to fully coating the heels, soles and, especially, the grooves.

2

If you’re wearing them in the snow and slush and get salt stains on them, make sure to clean them off as soon as you come in – ideally with BootRescue or ShoeRescue wipes. Why? Salt can start damaging boots immediately, making the leather dry out and buckle. However, if you have an old pair of boots that have already been soiled, do not fear! Just give them a thorough wipe with BootRescue, paying particular attention to the heels and grooves where salt can collect and do the most damage.

3 

For suede boots or shoes, once you’ve cleaned the salt stains off, brush them with a stiff suede brush to keep the suede looking its best. For really stubborn stains, you can use something hard to rub them off, like a nail file.

4 

The key to keeping your footwear looking great is maintenance, maintenance, maintenance. So always resole or re-heel those shoes or boots before they're beyond repair.

5 

From time to time, it's a good idea to re-apply the leather or suede protector to your boots to keep them as well protected as possible.

6 

If your boots or shoes get wet, newspaper is what you need. Simply stuff  them with it and put somewhere out of direct heat to dry.

7 

To keep the shape of your boots, when you're not wearing them, you can use wooden boot stuffers, but stuffing them with newspaper or wine bottles works just as well (and saves you money).

8 

If your shoes or boots get a little 'fragrant', here are a few easy ways to get them fresh-smelling again: replace the insoles, stick your shoes in a plastic bag and pop them in the freezer overnight (yep, really) or the easiest way, spray with all-natural ShoeRescue deodorizer.

9

Before you store your boots after the winter, make sure to clean them thoroughly, again ideally with BootRescue wipes, so the salt won't cause permanent damage.

10 

Sunlight or extreme heat can cause leather to dry out, fade or crack, so it's best to store your boots out of direct sunlight in a temperature-controlled environment.