So you finally did it, you took the plunge and bought yourself the waterproof, insulated boots you’ve been coveting from The Shoe Horn Boutique. Good for you! Now it’s happily ever after right? Not so fast my friend…Those boots will only last with the proper care- but fear not I’m here to welcome you into the world of waterproofing!
Step number one is choosing the correct waterproofing product for the job at hand. One product is not going to work for all of your boots. Waterproofing for smooth leather will leave a waxy finish on suede and ruin your boot completely. If you’re not sure which product you need just ask your friendly sales person! And no matter what, always READ THE DIRECTIONS on the back of the bottle before you do anything!
Smooth Leather Boots: Boots that are an all over smooth leather are super easy to care for. First, before waterproofing take a damp cloth and clean off the surface of the boot. Then apply the waterproofing product evenly over the entire boot (paying close attention to seams where water can get in). The productwe carry is the ‘Aqueous Wax’ from Nikwax and it has a sponge applicator. Whether it has a spray or sponge applicator makes no difference-they all work and are easy to use! Finally, when the product has been on the boot for a couple minutes you can wipe any excess product off and buff the boot with a clean cloth.
Make sure to let your shoes dry for a day but do not dry next to a heat source.
Suede & Nubuck Boots: Suede and nubuck is a little more delicate than a smooth leather, so it’s even more important that it’s cared for properly. Regular cleaning of your suede boots with a suede and nubuck block and brush will keep your boots looking great! When the time comes to waterproof your boots follow the same steps as above. The only difference when waterproofing suede is that you need to be careful to not over saturate the leather as it will cause the suede fibers to mat down. It also helps to brush the suede back up with your suede brush or even a clean toothbrush after you have waterproofed it.
Smooth Leather & Suede Boots: I threw this one in to keep you on your toes! In this case you would use the Aqueous wax on the smooth leather part and the suede & nubuck waterproofing on the suede part!
Frequently asked questions:
1) How do I get salt off my boots? Salt is just one nasty problem that we have to deal with during the winter months. It’s important to catch salt early before it causes real damage. This means wiping your shoes down with a damp cloth when you come in from walking around in a place where you know salt is put down. If you have a stubborn salt stain try gently scrubbing it with a tooth brush and warm water. Ugg also makes a sheepskin cleaner so if your boots are sheepskin or suede you can clean them with this as well.
2) How often should I waterproof my boots? The easiest way to know if it’s time to waterproof your boots is quite simple. Look down at your boots when you first come in from outside. Is the water beading up on top of the boot and rolling off, or is it soaking into the boot? Yup! You guessed it, rolling off is good, soaking in is bad! It’s time to waterproof those boots if the water has started to soak in.
3) Will waterproofing darken my boots? You just never can tell. I’m always extra careful when if comes to a light colored pair of Uggs or other sheepskin boots because a lot of waterproofers will darken them. In the case of light sheepskin boots I direct people to the Ugg ‘Sheepskin 
Protector’. They make the product specifically for their boots and I’ve never heard of anyone having a problem. The best thing to do if you’re not sure is to test the waterproofer on a small discreet part of the boot first.
Well that’s it for waterproofing 101! Please feel free to give us a call or come down to The Shoe Horn Boutique if you have other waterproofing questions or would like to purchase waterproof products of your very own!
