Boot Care

We have a saying at Australian Boot Company: "Take care of your boots and your boots will take care of you."

To keep your boots looking great, complimentary boot cleaning, polishing and conditioning service is available at our Australian Boot Company locations, for Blundstone and R.M. Williams customers (even if you purchased your boots from another retailer!!). 

With a little bit of care and maintenance we can keep your boots looking great for years and years. Below you will find specific information for leathers and brands, but in general you simply need to clean and condition them occasionally. The frequency depends on what you are doing, and what conditions you are wearing them in, but a good rule of toe is every 3-6 months.

If your boots get wet, stuff them with newspaper to absorb the moisture and to keep the shape of the boot. Always dry them at room temperature — never with artificial heat. When putting on your boots use both "pull tabs" to take the strain when pulling on your elastic-sided boots.

Some clues that your boots need some attention: salt stains, colour fading, small cracks forming.

Cleaning your boots The best and least expensive way to clean your boots is with vinegar and water. We suggest one part vinegar to three parts water in a spray bottle. Spray the vinegar solution on to your boots and wipe off with a clean lint-free cloth. Let dry and repeat as necessary. The vinegar acts to draw the minerals and dirt out of the leather, so some persistent salt stains may take a couple of treatments. Once you are satisfied that your boots are clean, they need to be conditioned.

Conditioning your boots In general, leather dries out over time, and natural oils need to be added back into the leather. Conditioning your boots revitalizes the leather and adds back suppleness and water-repellency. It will also rejuvenate the colour of your boots, bringing them back to a rich colour.  If you have a product at home and wonder if it’s okay to use, give us a call, or send us an email and we'll give you, our opinion.                          

 Blundstone Boot Care 

Not sure what kind of leather your boots are or how to care for them? Please give us a call toll-free at 1-(877) 896-0122, visit one of our 4 store locations or send us an email at web@australianboot.com. We’d love to help you.

Leather Blundstones The majority of Blundstone boots are made from leather. This leather is treated at the factory to be as weatherproof as leather can be, without losing breathability. The boots are ready to wear the moment you buy them. To maintain the leather and the weatherproofness of the boots, clean them as necessary and every 3-6 months (depending on wear and conditions) treat them with a natural leather conditioner. A few of our favourite products are our Blundstone Renovating Cream, R.M. Williams Saddle and Leather Dressing and Otter Wax Leather Salve or Leather Oil. A light application of this with your fingers or a lint free cloth will significantly add to the weatherproofing and longevity of your boots.

Blundstone makes a Waxy & Oily Conditioner, that is great for a quick and easy clean up. It’s a pre-saturated sponge that will spruce up your boots in seconds. Great to keep in your bag or by the back door for giving your boots a quick once over.

Distressed Leather/Waxed Nubuck Boots made with this leather (aka Saddle Brown or Rustic Brown leather) have a rugged distressed finish, with a brushed nap. To clean your distressed boots, use a brush to remove dirt and dust. To treat this leather, we recommend Blundstone Renovating Cream - Rustic or R.M. Williams Saddle and Leather Dressing. Please note the saddle dressing will darken the leather significantly and smooth out the nap.

Suede Blundstone boots Suede is made from a split cowhide and is very soft to the touch, with a shaggy nap, making them immediately comfortable and worn in. It makes for a Blundstone that feels like a slipper. Suede required a bit more help in maintaining its weatherproofness, so we recommend cleaning and treating your Suede boots. Use a brush to remove dirt and dust and then treat them with the Blundstone Waterproof Spray.

Winter Blundstone boots Blundstone Thermal Winter series are made from a Waterproof leather. It is treated at the factory to be 100% waterproof. To maintain the waterproofness, clean regularly and treat with OTTER WAX Boot Wax, Blundstone Renovating Cream, or Blundstone Waterproof Spray

R.M. Williams Boot Care

An investment, not a purchase

Leathers with a pigmented finish (e.g. yearling, veal calf, crocodile) undergo a process that involves the application of pigments and protective coatings to the surface of the hide. This finishing method creates a smooth, uniform and consistent appearance, concealing the natural variations in the leather's texture and colour. 

Cleaning

R.M.Williams Leather Cleaner is specifically formulated to remove dirt and grime from leather boots, shoes and accessories.

1. Wipe the boot with a damp cloth to remove surface mud, dirt, dust, or salt.
2. Apply R.M.Williams Leather Cleaner directly onto any excessive marks in the leather and rub evenly over the surface with a damp cloth until clean.
3. Remove any excess cleaner with a dry clean cloth.

Conditioning

R.M.Williams Leather Conditioner should be applied regularly to pigmented finished leather footwear to maintain and preserve the leather, preventing it from drying out or cracking.

1. Apply R.M.Williams Leather Conditioner evenly to pigmented finished leathers with a clean cloth or hands.
2. Allow the conditioner to penetrate leather for approximately one hour.

Note: Be careful not to over condition; leather also needs to breathe. We recommend conditioning your leather boots every 2-3 months, no matter how often you clean or polish them.

Polishing

Use R.M.Williams Stockman's Boot Polish regularly to maintain the colour of your boots, remove scuffs and keep them looking fresh.

1. Apply R.M.Williams Stockman's Boot Polish to finished leathers with a clean cloth or brush and rub in well.
2. Allow polish to rest on surface and penetrate leather for a minute.
3. Buff surface thoroughly with a shoe shine brush and finish with a buffing cloth to obtain a high shine.

Note: For badly scuffed boots, leave the polish on the uppers overnight to ensure the pigment is absorbed into the leather.

Greasy Kip Leather - Gardener Boots

"Greasy" or "oily" leather has been treated with oils and waxes during the tanning process.

The primary purpose of treating leather with oils and waxes is to enhance its durability and weather resistance. The oils and waxes penetrate the leather fibers, providing a protective barrier that helps repel water and resist damage from environmental elements. This makes greasy or oily leather suitable for outdoor, wet weather, or rugged wear.

The treatment of oils and waxes imparts specific characteristics to the leather, making it distinct from other types of leather.

Conditioning

R.M.Williams Leather Conditioner should be applied to greasy/oily leather footwear to maintain and preserve the leather, preventing it from drying out or cracking.

1. Apply R.M.Williams Leather Conditioner evenly to greasy/oily leathers with a clean cloth or hands.
2. Allow the conditioner to penetrate the leather for approximately one hour.

Note: Be careful not to over condition; leather also needs to breathe. We recommend conditioning your leather boots every 2-3 months, no matter how often you clean them.

Note: For oily and saddle brown leathers this may darken the appearance of the leather.

Note: Do not use Stockman's Boot Polish on greasy kip or oily leathers, as it drastically changes the appearance of the boots.

Complimentary Boot Cleaning

Please note the cleaning portion of this service applies to the upper of the boots only and not the sole. Please ensure the soles of your dropped-off boots are free of mud, debris and other organic material.

We will always do our best to accommodate drop-in cleaning and conditioning of your boots; however, please note that this is not always possible. If we are unable to clean or condition your boots 'on-the-spot', we will kindly request that you leave them with us for a 24 to 72-hour turnaround time.

We encourage you to call the store before you drop by to double-check they have capacity and to avoid disappointment.

Any questions not answered above? Call us toll-free at 1-877-896-0122 or email us at web@australianboot.com. We’d love to hear from you.