Q&A for How to Clean Dr. Martens Shoes

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  • Question
    What do you clean Doc Martens with?
    Marc Sigal
    Shoe Care Specialist
    Marc Sigal is a Shoe Care Specialist based in Los Angeles. Marc has over 19 years of experience working in the world of e-commerce, with extensive experience with the care of luxury goods. He is currently the VP of Strategic Partnerships at Blutag, an e-commerce platform helping consumers find products. Prior to Blutag, he founded ButlerBox, a dry cleaning and shoe care service based in Los Angeles, California. ButlerBox reinvented amenity services by placing custom-designed, wrinkle-resistant lockers in luxury apartment buildings, class A office buildings, shopping centers, and other convenient locations. The company got acquired by Rinse.com in 2021. Marc has a BA in Global and International Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
    Shoe Care Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Wonder Balsam, which is a product made by Dr. Martens that contains coconut oil, beeswax, and lanolin, and which is designed to help protect against water and salt.
  • Question
    Can you machine wash Dr Martens?
    Marc Sigal
    Shoe Care Specialist
    Marc Sigal is a Shoe Care Specialist based in Los Angeles. Marc has over 19 years of experience working in the world of e-commerce, with extensive experience with the care of luxury goods. He is currently the VP of Strategic Partnerships at Blutag, an e-commerce platform helping consumers find products. Prior to Blutag, he founded ButlerBox, a dry cleaning and shoe care service based in Los Angeles, California. ButlerBox reinvented amenity services by placing custom-designed, wrinkle-resistant lockers in luxury apartment buildings, class A office buildings, shopping centers, and other convenient locations. The company got acquired by Rinse.com in 2021. Marc has a BA in Global and International Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
    Shoe Care Specialist
    Expert Answer
    No. You really don't want to get leather shoes wet, since moisture causes leather to shrink. You're much better off cleaning your Dr. Martens by hand.
  • Question
    What do I do when my Docs get wet?
    Community Answer
    You really don't have to do anything! Most recommend a water-protectant spray, which does work, but Dr. Martens are honestly very durable, and look even better with age/wear.
  • Question
    How do I get to the polish in a black wonder shoe balsam jar?
    Community Answer
    Unscrew the top and take out the sponge. Use an index finger on the inside of this small sponge holder and just lift it out. If you need to, you can use one index finger on opposite sides of this sponge holder and lift it this way.
  • Question
    My navy blue Dr. Martens shoes have some kind of pimples on them. How can I make them back to normal condition?
    Community Answer
    Get a rag and put shoe cleaner on it, and rub it side to side until they are back to normal.
  • Question
    Do they make royal blue polish for Dr. Martens shoes?
    Community Answer
    For colors with hard-to-find polishes, you can get a neutral leather polish, which works on any color.
  • Question
    My cat peed on my Docs. They're steel toed brown leather and bulky. How do I de-stink them?
    Jaime Henderson LeFevre
    Community Answer
    Nature's Miracle from Petco or Walmart or even Amazon. It's expensive, but it's the only thing strong enough to break down the ammonia.
  • Question
    How can I clean mud off of my Doc Martens?
    Community Answer
    Wait until the mud dries. Then, with a brush, clean off any dried dirt. Finish by conditioning the shoes. More help in cleaning can be found in the steps above.
  • Question
    Can I apply wonder balsam to Doc Martens?
    Community Answer
    Yes, the Doc Martens company makes a wonder balsam which would be 100% safe to use.
  • Question
    What’s the best way to dry my Dr. Martens?
    Community Answer
    Let them dry naturally in a well vented area away from the sun. Do not use a hair dryer or any other sort of hot air blowing onto your boots.
  • Question
    Is there any kind of household item I can use to condition leather?
    Community Answer
    No, it's best to put money into a well-made conditioner if you want your leather shoes to last.
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