Your outdoor adventures or tackling daily chores often leads to your beloved leather country boots bearing the brunt of mud, muck, and various elements. Whether it's a muddy trail or a dusty terrain, your boots inevitably face the challenge of maintaining their pristine condition. Fear not, for we've crafted a comprehensive boot cleaning guide to revive your footwear and prepare them for countless more journeys ahead.

At Bareback, we understand the importance of durability and style, which is why our leather country boots are meticulously crafted using premium materials. However, even the finest leather requires proper care to retain its supple texture and performance. With our step-by-step boot cleaning method and expert leather boot care tips, you'll learn how to effectively rejuvenate your boots, ensuring they remain soft, flexible, and ready for all your outdoor pursuits.

From removing stubborn stains to conditioning the leather for optimal longevity, our guide covers all aspects of leather boot maintenance. Whether you're a seasoned adventurer or simply seeking to preserve the integrity of your country boots, our DIY boot cleaning tips and best practices will help you achieve remarkable results.

So, let's dive into the art of boot cleaning and discover how a little care and attention can extend the life of your beloved leather footwear.

Cleaning your Waxed Leather country boots💦

Yard manure/ waste, salt water and waste liquids can be very corrosive to leather. To ensure your boots are fully protected and performing their best you must always scrub them with a soft brush and rinse with fresh tap water after exposure.

1. Clean off with fresh, clean water to remove any acids and harmful chemicals that can damage natural leather products

2. Remember to dry off in a natural environment so they are not going from one extreme to another.

3. Apply Carbon Complete cleaning foam across the boot scrubbing in to remove any ingrained dirt and muck from the pores of the leather and wipe off any excess with a soft, slightly damp cloth

4. Leave your boots to dry naturally for around 24hours in a room temperature, dry room. Do not leave to dry near a direct hear source (fire)

5. in a well ventilated room or outdoors apply liberally the Carbon Pro protective spray to the whole boot, apply one or two layers of this allowing the coat to dry in-between each application. 

6. Once the boots are dry-

• if they are a waxed leather apply the Bareback Luxury Dubbin to the boots using a soft sponge or cloth. Pay particular attention to creases and seams where the boot will be put under pressure.  

• If they are Suede or Crushed Nubuck scuff out any marks with a suede brush, rubbing against the grain and back again to add the texture back to the surface of the boot.

• if there are any marks on smooth, polished, leather use a coloured polish to buff them out! 

Get right in there!

When cleaning the boots don't shy away from removing the insoles and laces to allow the leather to be cleaned thoroughly in every seam and surface.

• If the lining of the boots got wet during cleaning its best to dry this out thoroughly before using again, crumpled up news paper works well inside. 
• Our insoles are removeable to clean underneath and replace should they need over time.
• Remove the laces and wash off with clean, fresh water, allow to dry thoroughly before re-lacing.
• All zips should be cleaned through with a soft bristled brush (suede brush, toothbrush) to remove any mud, muck, shavings e.t.c that may have found their way in between the teeth, never force a zip up or down or leave dirt in the teeth.

Using the correct products to keep your boots looking and working their best is essential as some leather care products may alter the colour of the leather and will smooth the nap of a nubuck or suede. We recommend to read the care instructions on the item thoroughly and that you test a small area of your boot, i.e. the inner ankle area before spraying your entire boot.

Storing your country boots

1. Boots should be cleaned, dried and treated before storing for prolonged periods of time to keep the leather healthy
2. The area they are stored in should be cool and dry avoiding direct sunlight, damp and extreme cold/ heat conditions.
3. Your Bareback Boots will keep their shape best in storage when used with boot trees.

How to re-lace your boots

Now, this is a personal one, everyone prefers a different fastening, but when re-lacing our short boots this is our team in Portugal's method

If your laces are looking a bit tired you can order new ones to match your Bareback Boots here.

 In order to Clean your Crushed Nubuck: 

Materials you'll need:

1. Soft brush or suede/nubuck brush
2. Clean, dry cloth
3. Nubuck cleaner, our recommended https://www.barebackfootwear.com/products/collonil-carbon-pro-waterproofing-set-300ml
4. Fresh, clean water
5. Nubuck protector, our recommended: https://www.barebackfootwear.com/products/collonil-carbon-pro-waterproofing-spray-300ml

Steps:

1. Remove Loose Dirt: Allow mud and dirt to dry on the boots then gently brush off any loose dirt or debris from the crushed nubuck using a soft brush. Make sure to brush in the direction of the fibres.
2. Clean with Nubuck Cleaner: If you're using a nubuck cleaner, follow the product instructions. Dampen a clean, soft cloth with the solution and gently blot the stained or soiled areas.
3. Blot and Pat Dry: After cleaning, use a dry, clean cloth to blot the cleaned areas and remove excess moisture. Do not rub vigorously.
4. Air Dry: Allow the nubuck to air dry completely before wearing or storing the item. Avoid using heat sources like hair dryers, as excessive heat can damage nubuck.
5. Brush to Restore Texture: Once the nubuck is dry, use a soft bristled brush/ suede brush to gently restore the texture. Brush in the direction of the fibres to lift them and maintain the crushed appearance.
6. Optional: Apply Nubuck Protector: Consider applying a nubuck protector spray to guard against future stains and water damage.

Tips:

• Avoid using water excessively, as it can cause water stains on  lighter/ brushed nubuck. 
• Always allow the nubuck to dry naturally; avoid using heat sources or direct sunlight.
• Remember, prevention is key. Regularly brushing and protecting your crushed nubuck items and applying a protective spray can help maintain their appearance and extend their lifespan.

Leather cleaning don'ts:

• Never leave your boots covered in muck and mud to dry out without any treatment and expect a long life span! This prolonged exposure to acids will cause the leather on the boots to dry/shrink and crack across the main foot area (the vamp), unfortunately it cannot be repaired or replenished at this point.
• Never dry your boots in direct contact with a heat source like a radiator or a fireplace.
• Do not use aggressive products and detergents to clean the boots.
• Never store boots when still damp or store folded.
• Do not leave zips with dirt in and force down at any time
• Any boots with laces do not soak these and leave next to a heat source.
• Never forget the boots are leather and will dry out over time if never cared or treated.

Want more advice on how to look after your boots or anything else?