Spring is in the air and you can’t wait to swap out your winter boots for flats, sandals, loafers, or your favourite summer footwear.  Well, not so fast.  You can’t just toss your boots to the back of your closet at the end of the season and expect them to look great when you retrieve them next fall.  All boots and footwear need a little attention before you store them.   We’d like to help by providing you with the four important things that you should do to help ensure your boots will be ready when you are next winter.

#1. Cleaning

Not only during the winter, but especially at the end of the season, it is important to give your winter footwear (particularly leather and suede) a thorough cleaning.  This will not only help them last longer but will also keep them looking good.  It’s good practice to fully inspect your boots before you put them away.  Check for salt stains, worn heel or sole, broken lace or eyelet — anything that will stop you from wearing these boots again next year.  You can, of course, take your boots to a cobbler for professional cleaning and care, however, the few minutes you spend doing it yourself can save you some money.

For salt stains, simply mix water with vinegar and apply it to the stain to neutralize the salt and remove the stain.  If the stain is set, a salt stain remover may be needed to get the stain out.  Be careful not to soak the boot, as this can cause it to stretch.

These BootRescue Salt Stain wipes are a handy solution to fix problems on the go!

Caring for Leather

For total care, you will need a cleaner, a conditioner, polish and a waterproofing agent.  You should clean, condition, and polish leather boots and shoes regularly. This will only help to prolong the look and life of your footwear.  A final season cleaning, conditioning, and polish will ensure your boots will be ready for storage and prepared to look their best when you need them.  This is also a good time to waterproof your boots to prepare them for next winter.

Caring for Suede

Suede or nubuck footwear require their own type of cleaner, conditioner and waterproofing agent, and you will also need a small brush to brush out the dirt and stains.  Suede tends to stain more easily than leather, so it is important to clean stains on suede more quickly or they could become difficult to remove.   You can find a great selection of suede care and cleaning products at your local Becker Shoes.

Synthetic Materials

Footwear made with synthetic or nylon uppers are very easy to maintain.

Cleaning can be done with soap and water and synthetic fabrics do not need any conditioning.  Waterproofing, especially the seams, is still recommended.

Moneysworth & Best Dubbin is a heavy-duty waterproofing compound formulated for all man-made or genuine leathers. Dubbin conditions, preserves, and waterproofs your toughest boots.

#2. Repairs

Check your boots thoroughly for items that my need to be repaired.  Make friends with your local cobbler and have that broken grommet, those popped stitches or that worn “driver’s” heel repaired now.

If it’s a quick fix like a new pair of laces, Becker Shoes has a selection of Moneysworth & Best Boot Laces in a variety of colours.

#3. Deodorizing

No one likes to talk about it, but sometimes shoes and boots smell.  Packing away a pair of boots that have an odour is not going to correct the problem.  Take the time to deodorize your footwear.

Try Moneysworth & Best Odour Stop Shoe and Boot Freshener for a hygienic formula that neutralizes odours.

#4. Storage

Invest in boot forms.  For boots that have a tendency to flop over, inexpensive boot forms can help extend the life of your boots.  In a pinch, you can use rolled up rags or newspapers, but a set of boot forms is recommended.  While it is best to store your boots standing upright, using storage bins allows you to better optimize space.  If you do use a bin, make sure you pack the heaviest boots on the bottom and use an old pillow case or towel between different pairs of boots.

Get creative with your boot storage!

Ultimately, if you take the time and make the effort to properly clean and store your boots at the end of the season, your boots will maintain their good looks longer giving you many years of pleasure and comfort.  It’s a simple as that.