How to Care for Leather Gumboots
- 1). Wash the boots off with cool to lukewarm water -- never hot water -- when they get dirty. Use a rag or brush to remove caked-on mud.
- 2). Let the boots air-dry thoroughly after rinsing. Do not put them near a heat source to dry faster because the leather will dry out and may crack.
- 3). Deep clean with saddle soap or other leather cleaner if necessary. Make sure to wash away any residual soap, which can dry out the leather. Gumboots are designed for muddy areas so cleaning with soap is not necessary after daily use.
- 4). Apply a leather conditioner after deep cleaning while the leather is still damp. Use a soft rag to massage the conditioner into the leather.
- 5). Apply a waterproofing treatment to the boots if water stops beading up on the surface of the leather. Either spray or rub the treatment in, depending on the manufacturer's instructions. Always apply the waterproofer to clean leather.
