How to Care for your Boots.

All the boots that we carry require a little bit of care and maintenance to keep them performing for years and years. Below you will find specific information for the specific leathers and brands, but in general you simply need to clean and condition them occasionally. The frequency depends on what you are doing, and what conditions you are wearing them in.

Some clues that your boots need some attention: salt stains, colour fading, small cracks forming.

Cleaning your boots:

The best and least expensive way to clean your boots is with vinegar and water. We suggest one part vinegar to three parts water in a spray bottle. Spray the vinegar solution on to your boots and wipe off with a clean lint-free cloth. Let dry and repeat as necessary. The vinegar acts to draw the minerals and dirt out of the leather, so some persistent salt stains may take a couple of treatments. Once you are satisfied that your boots are clean, they need to be conditioned.

Conditioning your boots:

In general, leather dries out over time, and natural oils need to be added back into the leather. Conditioning your boots revitalizes the leather and adds back suppleness and water-repellency. It will also rejuvenate the colour of your boots, bringing them back to a rich colour. We suggest using a natural product and avoiding products that are petroleum based like Dubbin. We sell a few products that we really like here. If you have a product at home that you are wondering if it’s okay to use, give us a call, or send us an email and we’ll give you our opininon.

Check the information below for information specific to your particular boot.

Blundstone Boots

Leather Blundstones

The majority of Blundstone boots are made from a Greasy Kip Leather. This leather is treated at the factory to be as water-repellant as leather can be, without losing breathability. The boots are ready to wear the moment you buy them. To maintain the leather and the water-repellancy of the boots, clean them as necessary and every couple of months treat them with a natural leather conditioner. One of our favourite products is R.M.Willams Saddle and Leather Dressing. A light application of this with your fingers or a lint free cloth will significantly add to the weaterproofness and longevity of your boots.

Blundstone makes a Waxy & Oily Conditioner, that is great for a quick and easy clean up. It’s a pre-saturated sponge that will spruce up your boots in seconds. Great to keep in your bag or by the back door for giving your boots a quick once over.

Blundstone styles that are made from Greasy Kip Leather: 500, 510, 062, 063, 490, 491, 550, 556, 567, 530, 546, 162, 163

Nubuck Blundstones:

Nubuck leather aka Crazy Horse leather has a rugged distressed finish, with a brushed nap. To clean Nubuck, use a brush to remove dirt and dust. To maintain the brushed textured appearance of the nubuck, we suggest spraying it with a Suede/Nubuck protector such as NIKWAX’s. Nubuck leather can also be treated with R.M. Williams Saddle and Leather Dressing. Please note that this will darken the nubuck significantly and smooth out the nap. It makes for a wonderfully rich brown that looks like you’ve had the boots for years.

Blundstone styles that are made from Nubuck Leather: 064, 164, 561

Suede Blundstones

Every couple of years, Blundstone comes out with a Suede Blundstone option. Suede is made from a split cowhide and is soft with a shaggy nap. It makes for a Blundstone that feels like a slipper. Suede is not as durable or as water repellant as a full grain leather. To clean Suede, use a brush to remove dirt and dust. It is best treated with a Suede/Nubuck protector.

Blundstone styles that are made from Suede: Currently None

Winter Blundstones

Blundstone winter series are made from a Waterproof leather. It is treated at the factory to be 100% waterproof. To maintain the waterproofness, clean regulary and treat with NIKWAX Waterproofer.

Blundstone styles that are made from Waterproof Leather: 560, 566

R.M.Williams

Yearling Leather:

The yearling leather used in these boots is chrome tanned to achieve a highly polished appearance and to resist water penetration. To maintain this appearance, use R.M.Williams Saddle and Leather Dressing every 4-6 weeks and use R.M Williams boot polish to cover any deep scuffs.

We recommend you wear your boots in dry conditions on the first few occasions. Fine leather boots can require a full day to dry out from perspiration.

Repairing your boots in good time is a practice worth observing. We stock genuine R.M.William repair parts, and are happy to co-ordinate having your boots resoled or repaired for you.

R.M.William boots made of Yearling leather: Comfort Craftsman, Jodhpur and Wentworth

Greasy Kip Leather
Greasy Kip leather is considered to be highly water-repellant and with maintenance can offer you years of great weaterproofness.

Leather should be cleaned with vinegar and water, and then R.M.Williams Saddle Dressing should be applied regularly.

UGG Australia Boots

Sheepskin

Sheepskin is an incredibly warm material for boot construction, but significantly less durable than leather. They require care to maintain a long life.

To clean sheepskin we suggest the use of UGG Australia sheepskin cleaner and conditioner. Follow directions on the bottle. Always hand wash, never put in a washing machine or dry in direct heat or sunlight.

To protect sheepskin from stains, we suggest spraying them with UGG Water & Oil Repellent spray. They should be sprayed before you wear them outside for the first time. You will need to reapply frequently. Sheepskin is not waterproof so you should avoid wearing these boots in wet conditions. They are awesome for the cold dry days of winter.

Leather

UGG makes several leather boots, which will require regular treatment with a leather conditioner to maintain the suppleness of the leather. Clean the boots with a vinegar and water solution, then treat with a leather conditioner. We suggest our favourite, the R.M.Williams Saddle and Leather Conditioner. Please be aware that this may darken the leather, so test on an inconspicuous spot, to be sure you are happy with how they will look.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are not sure what your UGGs are made of, or don’t see the information you need here, please give us a call or send us an email and we will do our best to answer any questions you may have.

Taking Care of Your Boots & Clothing

Boot Care Our boots are crafted from the best available leathers and components, employing the expertise gained over many years of bootmaking.

Leather is a natural product so your boots will benefit from the following advice:

Blundstone Boots

1. If your boots get wet, stuff them with newspaper to absorb the moisture and to keep the shape of the boot. Always dry them at room temperature-never with artificial heat.
2. To keep the boots weather-resistant and pliable, you should dress the leather with suitable treatment after cleaning.
3. Cleaning – A mixture of one part vinegar to three parts water is a perfect natural cleaner for your boots.

R.M.Williams boots:

1. While still wet, remove all mud from your boots with a damp cloth. Wait until dry before cleaning and polishing.
2. Allow the two “tugs” to take the strain when pulling on your elastic sided boots.
3. For boots with leather soles, wear your boots in dry conditions on the first few occassions. Fine leather boots can require a full day to dry out from perspiration.
4. For finished leathers, use R.M.Williams Boot Polish to obtain a shine. Our Saddle Dressing should be applied regularly to all oily leathers and as needed on finished leathers. This helps to moisturize the leather uppers and keep them supple.
5. If your boots become wet, stuff them with newspaper to absorb the moisture and to keep the shape of the boot. Let them dry naturally, never use direct or forced heat.
6. Cleaning – A mixture of one part vinegar to three parts water is a perfect natural cleaner for your boots.
7. Leather soles have a tendency to absorb more moisture when they wear thin. Repairing your boots in good time is a practice worth observing.

Icebreaker Pure Merino

Washing Instructions

• Use warm or cool machine wash on normal cycle. Wash separately first (after 2-3 days use) to remove any
• loose fibres. Wash with like colours. Never use fabric softener or detergent with bleach. Never tumble dry.
• Dry your Icebreaker flat in the shade or on the clothesline.

UGG Australia

Cleaning Instructions

We suggest the use of UGG Australia sheepskin cleaner and conditioner. Always hand wash; never put in a washing machine or dry in direct heat or sunlight.