leather shoe care help

[Barry]

i recently bought these dr marten chukka boots

problem is, i have no idea how to care for them. I don't want them to be shiny, so i havent polished them. What is the best way to clean them?
cheers

[galligator]

I can't tell from the picture - are these suede? If so, a suede protector spray should work on this - as well as a suede water protectant.

For plain leather, almost any leather conditioner like Apple Guard should to the trick.

You may also be able to use a scotch-guard protectant as well. Most shoe stores, cobblers & even some grocery stores will have a selection of protective products that can be sprayed onto shoes.

[ShoeBop]

One thing to be careful of when spraying shoes and boots with a protectant, is that they will seal up the shoe and not let your feet breath. Leather and suede naturally let fresh air into the shoe so your feet can breath, when you use a scotch guard type of protectant, it keeps the dirt and water off the shoe but it also keeps the air from reaching your feet. This leads to sweaty feet, something most of us don't want.

[galligator]

It's a tough call. Not everyone likes shoes to look distressed, so you definitely have to decide what your priorities are. Since this looks like suede, you cannot use the same leather conditioners that would work on other leathers. I guess you need to decide which is the lesser of 2 evils. Also, with a boot like this, proper socks can help keep feet dry to avoid 'smelly' issues.

[SLINGBACKSALLY]

Get spray on waterproofing from Timberline

[KRAZY KEV]

if they are made of leather then there is only one way to look after them correctly. the only problem is they will shine. you need a few items but they are not expensive. 1/ 2 pairs of brushes one to apply polish and the other to take it off. 2/ a tin of dubbin either clear or the same colour as the leather. 3/ a tin of KIWI boot polish. there is also a military version of this polish. 4/ some old soft cotton clothes. you will also need plenty of elbow grease as to do the job correctly is no 2 minute job. to do the job follow the rules below
1/ remove loose dirt and mud and allow boot to dry
2/ apply dubbin and rub in well
3/ apply kiwi polish and rub well in. allow to soak in overnight then buff to a shine the following morning.
4/ finally buff to a nice shine with the cloth
if you know a soldier than ask him for advice. they polish their boots every day of their lives unless they want the boots firmly planted up their rear end

[galligator]

My hubby was in the military. So, yeah, we always have kiwi & brushes around. If you have anyone who's been through boot camp, they can teach you how to do a full boot-polish. Otherwise a little practice & trial-n-error are inevitable.

[misslonelyhearts]

I'm not sure, but I've heard that vinegar works well.

[Paul1987]

My father has had a shoe shop since I was a child and he always used to apply caster oil to his leather shoes, let it dry an then just cleaned it with a cloth, it helps waterproof your shoes and cleans them, without leaving them ridiculously shiny which is what you said you didn't want!

[Tinge]

[quote]Step 1
Realize that leather is skin, both figuratively and literally. You need to take care of your leather shoes almost as lovingly as you might purchase your skin care supplies.
Step 2
To clean your leather shoes, first use soapy water and a soft cloth. Wipe away the excess. Then apply saddle soap all over the shoes, both inside and out. Wipe away the excess again. This will effectively clean your leather shoes without damaging them. It's a tried-and-true combination.
Step 3
After cleaning your shoes, you are ready to apply a polish or wax. Make sure you choose the correct color. The purpose of polishes and waxes is not just to make your shoes look great, but also to protect them from the elements. Water damage and other damage are real threats to leather shoes, so be sure to protect them.
Step 4
If your leather shoes are a bit small, or if they pinch in certain places, they will cause blisters and other foot aches. You can use a shoe stretcher, available at shoes stores and shoe repair shops, to lengthen or widen the shoe to your foot. If the shoe is pinching only in certain places, you can apply a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol solution to the problem area, then wear the shoe around the house with thick socks and some well-placed moleskin for a week.
Step 5
If your shoes are out of shape, you can clean them, apply saddle soap and a leather conditioner, and then stuff them with newspapers and leave them for two nights. Alternatively, you can wear them around the house to break them back into shape. This process of softening and shaping is great for the health of your feet, allowing the shoes and your feet to become friends over time. [quote]