How to Take Care of Patent Leather Doc Martens

Clean your Doc Martens with an old toothbrush.

Doc Martens are a popular shoe brand, and many of its styles are made of a strong and durable patent leather. To get the most use out of your Doc Martens, clean and deordorize them regularly, as this keeps soil from accumulating and prevents odor from developing.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Mild soap
• Cleaning rags
• Toothbrush
• Baking soda
• Leather conditioner, optional

Instructions

1. Wipe down the shoes with a damp cleaning rag. Add a drop of mild dish soap or laundry detergent to the rag and continue wiping to remove soil from the leather, seams and soles of the shoes.

2. Run an old toothbrush under water and add a drop of the mild soap to the brush. Scrub across the soles and along seams when heavier buildup is present.

3. Wipe down the shoes with a cleaning rag moistened with water only. Then dry the shoes with a clean rag.

4. Apply a leather conditioner to the patent leather if the shoes look dull or dried out. Use the application instructions on the conditioner container.

5. Sprinkle a light coat of baking soda into the shoes to absorb moisture and odor. Let the soda sit in the shoes overnight and tap over the trash can in the morning to get the baking soda out of the shoes.