Q&A for How to Maintain Waterproof Leather Boots

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  • Question
    How do you protect new leather boots?
    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
    First, break them in to make sure they're comfortable on your feet. Then, use a leather conditioner to soften up the material and protect it. Try to keep the boots dry, and polish them regularly to ensure they look like new!
  • Question
    How do I get rid of the smell in my boots?
    Community Answer
    Mix scented oils and baking soda. Fill the boot with the baking soda mixture and let it sit overnight.
  • Question
    Can I just scrub them out with soap and water and leave them out to dry?
    Community Answer
    If it works for you, then yes, but it may not be the best method for preserving the quality of your boots.
  • Question
    How about mink oil, will that do a good job?
    Community Answer
    Mink oil does a good job, but is more expensive. New boots should have at least two treatments before heavy use. Beewax based products have always worked well for me, the price is fair, and durability is quite good. Apply low heat with a hair dryer on a low or medium setting to heat the interior of the boot. In Minnesota we just use the floor vent in a centrally heated house, or a hair dryer on a low or medium setting to warm the leather so the wax penetrates the boot.
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