How-Tos, English

How to Clean Riding Boots

This video and how-to guide shows you how to clean leather riding boots to keep your riding boots in condition for a long time to come.

2020-12-19

A regular cleaning will keep your leather riding boots in good condition for a long time to come. Here is a list of what you’ll need to clean your riding boots:

A damp cloth or sponge
Optional: leather cleaner
A soft-bristled brush
A soft, dry cloth or dry sponge
Leather conditioner
Leather polish

Step-by-Step: How to Clean Riding Boots

1. Prep: Gather the supplies listed above so that you have everything you need on hand.

2. Clean off the boots: Remove dirt and dust by cleaning your boots with a damp cloth

Don’t forget to clean your zippers! You can use the cloth or a soft-bristled brush to clean dust and dirt off the zipper.
If necessary, use a soft brush to remove scuffs and remaining dirt. For stubborn dirt and mud, you may need to use leather cleaner (optional). Stay away from household cleaners. Instead, stick with a quality leather cleaner, like Fiebing’s.

2. Clean off the boots: Remove dirt and dust by cleaning your boots with a damp cloth

Don’t forget to clean your zippers! You can use the cloth or a soft-bristled brush to clean dust and dirt off the zipper.
If necessary, use a soft brush to remove scuffs and remaining dirt. For stubborn dirt and mud, you may need to use leather cleaner (optional). Stay away from household cleaners. Instead, stick with a quality leather cleaner, like Fiebing’s.

3. Condition the Boots: Dab a dry cloth or dry sponge in the leather conditioner and rub into the boots in small circular motions starting at the bottom. Make sure the leather conditioner is fully absorbed. If your boots still feel dry, you may need to apply more conditioner.

4. Apply Polish: Next, apply polish to your riding boots the same way you applied the leather conditioner, rubbing in small circular motions with a dry cloth from the bottom of the boots up until fully absorbed.

5. Buff Your Boots: To make your boots look even better, buff them with a dry cloth or soft brush. To buff, rub the cloth or brush in wide, quick sweeping motions across your boots.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cleaning Leather Riding Boots

How often should I clean my riding boots?

Aside from cleanings before shows and events, the frequency at which you should clean your boots really depends on how much you use them. For daily use, a good cleaning every 3 months is recommended. For less frequent use, cleaning every 6 months will keep your boots in good shape.

What kind of leather conditioner and leather polish should I use?

We recommend using a non-oil-based leather conditioner, which will have a milky, creamier texture. In the previous section, we recommended Fiebing’s products as a good go-to product.

Other Riding Boot Care Tips & Tricks

Keeping your riding boots in top shape is all about regular maintenance and proper care. Below are a few more tips on caring for your leather riding boots:

If your boots ever become saturated with water, remove the insole and soak up the excess water with a paper towel or other absorbent cloth and let air dry.
Keep your boots out of direct heat to avoid cracking and other damage. Always let your boots air dry.
After each use, take a minute to knock or brush the dirt off your boots. This helps keep them cleaner in between regular boot care.
Help your boots keep their shape by inserting a boot tree for storage.

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