How do you properly clean leather boots?

[tommboy]

How do you properly clean leather boots so they stay looking new at all times? I also was wondering if it made a difference in what type of water proofer you should use?

 

[tommboy]

Will a wet towel eventually ruin them after X amount of cleans?

 

[koolhistorian]

1. Brushing with a medium stiff brush to take out dust, small patches of mud, etc. If there was abuse in mud, saddle soap, let them rest for 24 hours, then apply conditioner;
2. Cream the boots with good quality cream - Saphir and equivalent;
3. Waterproof with some wax - also Saphir or equivalent.
Repeat that after each wear in inclement weather!

 

[tommboy]

Is it bad to water proof with a spray on?

 

[otc]

Sno-seal that ****

 

[Avebury]

Originally Posted by koolhistorian

1. Brushing with a medium stiff brush to take out dust, small patches of mud, etc. If there was abuse in mud, saddle soap, let them rest for 24 hours, then apply conditioner;
2. Cream the boots with good quality cream - Saphir and equivalent;
3. Waterproof with some wax - also Saphir or equivalent.
Repeat that after each wear in inclement weather!

Isn't that overdoing it a bit? I'd use a medium brush and then a damp sponge to take the mud off (flecks, streaks, etc, I'd tackle it slightly differently if caked in mud), leave to dry overnight, then polish with the a good quality wax polish containing beeswax. I might use shoe cream or leather food every so often, but not as a normal part of the polishing operation. I'd worry that doing too much would in time damage the leather. I might be wrong on this; just a thought.

Generally speaking, I see a clear difference between how the Yanks do it and how the Brits do it. I think the Brits are more rough edged about these sorts of things, the Yanks very particular. In terms of products, we use different things: I use British made wax polish (usually makers own) and products from DASCO, the Yanks Saphir. We both seem to use KIWI (I hate the stuff). KIWI is actually bloody awful stuff - I only use it for edging. It gives an 'orrible sticky, bright finish.