How to Completely Strip Leather Boots

Leather boots can be found in a vast array in the military.

Leather is a universal material used to make all sorts of items, from furniture to clothing. Because leather is an organic material, certain precautions must be taken in order to ensure a long life. Leather boots are used heavily when there it is a cold environment prone to snow, for hunting, and of course, in the military. Stripping leather boots of old polish is necessary from time to time to restore the leather's health.

Things You'll Need

• Mild leather cleaner
• Damp cloth
• Dry cloth
• Polish
• Mineral Spirits
• Saucepan

Instructions

Mild Cleaner

1. Remove the shoelaces from the boots. Use the dry cloth to wipe away dust and loose dirt.

2. Apply a mild leather cleaner to the entire surface of the boot to cut through the polish using a small circular scrubbing motion.

3. Remove the cleaner with a damp cloth. You will have to rinse the cloth periodically.

4. Set the boots out to dry in a well ventilated area with moving air.

5. Apply a fresh coat of polish to make the shoes shine.

Mineral Spirits

1. Remove the laces from your boots.

2. Apply mineral spirits to a cloth. It does not matter what brand of spirits you use so long as the ingredient is mineral spirits and not just spirits.

3. Scrub the boots thoroughly. You may have to keep wetting the cloth with the spirits.

4. Allow the boots to dry thoroughly before applying any polish.

The Steam Effect

1. Fill a saucepan up with water and place over a heat source. Remove the shoelaces.

2. Hold the boots over the saucepan when the water begins to boil, make sure the boots do not touch the boiling water.

3. Scrub the polish off as the steam breaks up the polish. Continue until all of the polish is off of the boots.

4. Allow the boots to air dry in a well ventilated area before applying any more polish.

Tips & Warnings

• Never place your leather boots near a heat source such as a heater or fire. This will cause the leather to become brittle and damaged. Never use an acidic or abrasive substance to clean your leather boots as these will cause damage to the leather. Failure to allow the leather to dry thoroughly before applying another coat of polish can damage the boots and render them unfit for wear.

References

• Stomper Boots: Boot Care Tips
• Ask ANdy About Clothes: The Perfect Shoeshine
• Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron: How to Polish Boots
• The Spit Shine: Spit Shine Your Combat Boots