How To Care For Leather Cowboy Boots

Boot care is very simple and important for the long-term life of your cowboy boots. Generally, you should care for your cowboy boots in much the same manner as you care for your skin: clean off the dirt and then moisturize.

The 3 steps for proper cowboy boot care are:

- Clean
- Condition
- Polish

Dirt and dust without proper care can be a boot's worst enemy. Routinely cleaning and conditioning will prevent the dirt and dust from cutting away and drying out the microscopic fibers that make your cowboy boots strong and durable.

Condition cowboy boots only when they are clean and dry so that the conditioner can penetrate through the pores to keep the leather soft and pliable. Using a lanolin-based conditioner will prevent the color and finish from changing on the leather of your boots. Oil based conditioners will slowly darken a boot with each application so are only recommended for dark boots or ones with an oiled finish.

Polish is optional for some leathers. It will rejuvenate your favorite cowboy boot and help revive the natural finish of the boot. It will also cover scratches and create a glossy finish.

Step 1: Clean Your Cowboy Boots (Except Suede)

You can use a slightly damp cloth or soft brush to clean off dirt and dust. For stubborn mud, use a toothbrush to get around the sole and welt of the boot. Additionally, you can use saddle soap or shoe cleaner for those more stubborn spots.

Step 2: Condition Your Boots

Dispense about a quarter-sized amount of Cadillac Boot and Shoe Care onto a clean, soft cloth and massage the conditioner into the cowboy boot. If the boots are extremely dry and soak up the conditioner quickly, more may need to be applied. Be sure to condition the entire boot.

Buy Cadillac Boot and Shoe Care

Step 3: Polish Your Boots

For deeper scuffs and scratches, or if you’d prefer your boot to shine, apply a matching leather shoe polish in light layers, buffing between each until the desired effect/finish is reached.

Notes On Polish:

•   Only cowboy boots with a finish can be polished.
•   For snakeskin boots, do not apply a colored polish. Be sure when you condition, to wipe with, not against, the grain of the scales.
•   Suede boots require specific suede cleaning supplies to effectively clean and polish them (see below).

Other Handy Boot Care Tips:

How To Clean Suede Boots:

Use a suede brush or stone to restore the nap and remove stains. You may also use a suede spray sealer if you would like an extra layer of protection against the elements.

Products For Cleaning & Conditioning Your Boot:

People often confuse saddle soap with boot conditioner. While it is a creamy cleaner, it is not a conditioner. Reserve the use of saddle soap for cleaning your boots. If you use saddle soap, be sure to follow up with a conditioner.

Boot Storage:

Store your cowboy boots so that they can breathe. If at all possible, store them upright with a cedar boot tree inside. Cedar shoe trees help to absorb any moisture and help retain the boots’ original shape and prevent the toes from curling. Keeping your boots away from light and damp places will keep the color and leather looking great longer.

What To Do If Your Boots Get Wet:

If your boots get wet, soak up excess moisture with a clean towel, then allow them to dry naturally. Do not use a heat source to speed up the process. This will take a few days. Once dry, thoroughly condition.

Care For Boot Soles:

If the soles of your cowboy boots are scuffed or discolored, use edge dressing to re-stain the sole of each boot. Use the brush that is included with your bottle of edge dressing and stain the sole with quick, even strokes. Wipe excess stain off with a soft cloth and allow to air dry.

We hope this helps guide you on proper cleaning, conditioning, and maintenance of your boots. Following our tried-and-true care guide will allow your boots to withstand any amount of two-steppin’ or boot-scootin’ for years to come!

Of course if you have any questions, feel free to give us a holler!