Boots splattered with a bit of mud can be cleaned with little more than a soft brush, a damp cloth, and a leather condition like the LOWA Active Cream. The following process is only really necessary when leather boots have been truly put through the ringer, however, it certainly does not hurt to carry out regular deep cleans to ensure leather uppers are kept in the best condition possible. Especially if said military boots are worn almost daily.
Cleaning LOWA Military Boots’ Leather Uppers
Regularly carrying out the steps below will effectively ensure the long-term performance of leather military boots and keep them looking their very best. Before we begin, it is worth remembering that not all leather uppers are the same. For example, nubuck and suede leather uppers are not as robust as their full-grain leather counterparts. As a result, using a harsh brush on them may cause lasting damage and their aesthetics may change with the application of waxy coatings. Needless to say, we’d recommend not using either.
Prepare The Leather
Allowing boots to air out after every use is standard boot care practice, but simply leaving boots to stand overnight is simply not enough. The deep cleaning process begins with the removal of the boots’ footbeds and laces, followed by pulling back the tongue as much as possible in order to fully open the boot up. This will not only let boots ventilate more effectively, but also allows brushes, creams, sprays and other cleaning products to access awkward areas; such as the tongue and gusset.
If the leather military boots you’re intending to clean are wet, it is important that the interior and leather uppers are completely dry before you begin. Tempting as it may be, do not take any steps to speed up the drying process beyond leaving the boots in a well-ventilated space. Leather is a natural material that expands and contracts, and heating it in an attempt to dry boots quicker may result in cracking. This will negatively affect a boot’s performance and aesthetics.
Remove All Traces Of Dust & Dirt
The bacteria found in dirt will eat away at exposed leather and erode even the most effective treatments given enough time. This is why it is essential to make sure that even the deepest recesses of a military boot are regularly cleaned, as the last thing you need in the middle of an exercise is to discover a weakened area of your boot has been compromised and is allowing water to get in. Even the GORE-TEX® membranes found in some LOWA boots may not be enough to prevent feet from getting wet and uncomfortable in these circumstances, and there is no easy way to repair the damage once it has reached this level. Needless to say, this is one of those instances where prevention is certainly better than cure.
The first step should be to remove as much dirt as possible with a soft brush, however, the application of warm water may be needed before brushing if boots have been heavily caked in mud. Specialist cleaning products that open up the leather’s pores are available and will help to guarantee a more thorough clean. We strongly recommend using these kinds of cleaning product, as a surface clean will not necessarily remove the dirt trapped within the leather’s pores.
Please note: If you chose to clean leather military boots using products that cause pores to dilate, make sure it is completely rinsed off afterwards. Failure to do so will leave the leather’s pores open and allow potentially even more damage to occur.
Impregnate The Leather Uppers
As stated, a thorough clean will remove any treatment applied to the surface of a boot’s leather upper and replacing what has been removed with new protective treatments is essential if future damage is to be prevented. Impregnation sprays like the LOWA Water Stop Pro can be applied while previously muddy military boots are still damp, and work best when the leather’s pores are still open.
Once impregnated, boots will need to be left for 24 hours so that the spray can take full effect and the treatment should be reapplied every three weeks or so. Boots that have not been impregnated with a waterproof spray will gradually lose their resistance to water and begin absorbing it. Waterlogged boots will not only become heavy and uncomfortable to wear, they will also lose the ability to effectively regulate the temperature of their wearer’s feet.
Store Boots Away Safely
While waiting for the impregnation spray to take effect, boots should be kept somewhere dry, well-ventilated and out of the way. Shoe bag or shoe boxes are perfectly adequate storage solutions and shoe trees can be used to help leather uppers keep their shape and prevent creases from forming. Stuffing newspaper in boots that are still damp either outside or in will help them dry faster, just don’t forget to remove it within 24 hours as newspaper left inside boots for too long will eventually go mouldy.
Apply Any Further Treatments
After the impregnation spray has been given the 24 hours required to take full effect, military boots can be treated with any additional boot care product that their owner deems necessary; for example boot polish. Boots undergoing a deep clean may be out of action for up to two or even three days, so make sure you take this into account before you begin. Even a superficial clean after every use will reduce how regularly deep cleans like these are required, so it is worth keeping on top your boot maintenance. If you own a pair LOWA military boots with full-grain leather uppers give our full-grain leather boot care guide a read and find out how best to take care for them on a day-to-day basis.
