Cleaning and polishing your leather footwear is an important step to make your shoes look better and last longer. When you clean your leather shoes you remove the dirt and debris that cause leather to dry out and deteriorate. Conditioning and polishing afterwards helps restore some of the oils and waxes that protect the leather and keep it supple.

To clean and protect most smooth leathers you’ll need the following items:

• Leather Cleaner
• Leather Conditioner
• Shoe polish or shoe cream
• A tack sponge
• A polish applicator or dauber
• A soft bristle buffing brush
• A rag
• Stiff bristle brush (optional)

Step 1 – Remove any visible dirt or mud that may be caked on your boots. Recommend a stiff bristle brush for this. If your boots or shoes don’t have visible caked on dirt you can skip this step.

Step 2 – Apply the leather cleaner to your tack sponge and wipe the boots down. Remember to pay extra attention to seams and crevices where dirt can hide.

Step 3 – Once the boots are dry apply a small amount of leather conditioner to a tack sponge or a rag and work it into the leather. Again, it is important to get all the little cracks and seams. Let the conditioner soak in for a minute or two and then wipe off any excess.

Step 4 – Using your polish applicator apply the polish to your boots in a thin coat using small circular motions. It’s best to apply just a little at a time because a thin coat will be easier to buff in the next step.

Step 5 – Use your buffing brush in a back and forth motion to buff the boots and remove excess polish, revealing a smooth or semi glossy surface.

TIP: Repeat steps 4 and 5 to add an extra layer of protection or to give your boots or shoes a little more shine.

Congratulations! You now have some freshly cleaned and polished boots that will look great, feel great, and even repel water and stains. Shoes that are polished regularly are always easier to keep looking clean and can usually just be dusted off with a clean, dry rag in between uses to keep them looking nice until your next time polishing them.