I can safely assume that we all own at least one pair of leather boots. They are a good investment for being very durable and comprise of several essential features.
They protect our feet from injuries, keep us warm, and to top it all they make us look good. And, like everything else we own, even our leather boots need to be taken care of from time to time to extend their life span.
You will be pleased to know that there are many tried and tested household items that can be used to treat our leather boots when needed if you cannot immediately buy a legit leather conditioner or oil. Is vegetable oil one of them?
Yes, vegetable oil is one such household item that has the ability to nourish, restore the shine of leather fibers, and also make them more supple. Hence, it has proved to have great conditioning assets when applied to the leather.
I have tried several types of household products on my boots at desperate times when I did not have access to any specific leather oils or conditioners. Some experiments have failed, while some have worked wonders.
Let’s take a look at the steps on how to use the vegetable oil on leather boots
Before you begin with the process of applying it to your leather boots, you will need to keep the following things handy.
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- Vegetable oil
- Soap-water solution
- Dry white cloth or towel
- Tissue paper
- Hairdryer (optional)
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1.) Firstly, make sure to clean your boots thoroughly using a clean cloth, towel, or a brush with soft bristles. This is a necessary step, to not leave any residue behind on the boots, which can hinder the process of treating the leather.
2.) Use the soap-water solution to clean the boots, and do not use too much of it but according to the amount it requires for the dirt to be removed from the boots.
3.) Repeat the cleaning process until you are satisfied and be cautious not to get the insides too wet.
4.) Leave the boots to air-dry for a minimum of 24 hours, you can use a hairdryer which is optional. Or simply let it naturally dry overnight.
5.) Once the boots are completely dry, you can start with the application of vegetable oil.
6.) Remove the laces if any, then use a clean lint-free white cloth to apply the oil on the leather. You should never smear it directly onto the boots. Take small amounts of oil to do the job and apply it in a circular motion.
7.) Leave the boots to dry naturally to allow the leather to soak in the oil completely. Do not try to expedite the drying process by using a hairdryer, doing so may ruin the boots.
8.) After it has dried, use another clean cloth to wipe off any excess oil remaining on the boots.
After they dry, they are ready to be worn again, and you did not have to shell out a big sum of money in getting them treated, which is a big plus point.
However, there are a few things you must take note of while using vegetable oil.
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- It may darken your leather boots.
- It cannot help in waterproofing your leather boots.
- Harsh or old oil can ruin your leather boots.
- It can stain your leather boots.
- Not all oils smell good.
- It may not be the most effective method in treating your leather boots.
- It does not have a long-lasting effect; hence, it needs to be regularly used to keep the shine on.
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What are other household items that are safe to be used on leather boots for conditioning and shine?
If you are wondering about the other ways or other household products that you can use on leather boots for conditioning or shining them, you have come to the right place. Below I have listed out the various other products and methods that can be applied.
Olive oil
People have been using olive oil to clean and shine various items for years now. It is also a good product to restore the shine on your leather boots.
All you have to do is follow the same cleaning steps as mentioned above before applying them to the boots.
Then dab a clean cloth on some olive oil and apply it gently onto your leather boots. Voila! You have shiny leather boots again.
Coconut oil
Both vegetable and coconut oil serve the same purpose. Even the steps on how to apply it to your leather boots remain the same.
However, one of the key factors here is that coconut oil works best in areas with warm weather as cold places will lead to solidifying the oil rather quickly.
Apart from these products, we have tried several other easily available household items to help treat leather boots for different purposes. You can check our complete guide on how to care for your leather boots using simple household items.
Are there any other ways to condition or treat leather boots?
If you are not one to take any risk by using household products to treat your leather boots – we understand.
The leather itself is not a cheap material, be it boots, shoes, or furniture. So many of us would like to maintain them with special products meant for them.
There are many legit products made specifically for leather boots that you can use that are called leather oil. It is a substance that moisturizes, conditions, and preserves the leather to keep it young and healthy for years to come. It helps in refurbishing the leather boots to their natural self if worn out.
Apart from using it as a repairing mechanism, it also helps in protecting the leather from harsh weather conditions and making it waterproof. Leather also becomes supple and soft when treated with leather oil.
Leather oil comprises several different ingredients, such as – beeswax, propolis, mink, neatsfoot, pine pitch, minerals, and natural oils. Each of these components has a specific role to play when conditioning leather boots.
Beeswax is a natural wax that bees secrete to make honeycombs.
Propolis comes from the tree resin that bees pick when they pollinate.
Mink oil comes from the pelts of minks.
Cattle’s shinbone and feet produce Neatsfoot oil.
Pine pitch is the natural substance that generates from a pine tree’s sap.
Mineral oil is mostly a distillate of petroleum.
Natural oils are what come from plants and animals.
You can follow our complete guide on different types of leather oils that are going to do wonders for your beloved pair of leather boots. We have done extensive research on these oils and created this list just for you.
When to use oils or conditioners on leather boots?
When your leather boots start to look old, frail, worn out, and have lost their initial charm from when you bought them, that is when you know it is time to give them a much-needed treatment.
Leather is practically like our skin, which needs to be looked after regularly. Using proper branded leather oils and conditioners will require you to apply them once a month for best results, however, using household items is a repetitive process perhaps once every week or so.
In conclusion
I would like to conclude by adding that while using vegetable oil or any other household items to treat leather boots is a good option, it is not the best solution in the long run. Over time your leather boots will start deteriorating for not receiving proper care.
These are temporary hacks when you don’t have immediate access to leather oil or conditioners. I would always recommend buying genuine oils suitable for your leather boots that will help keep them young for years to come.
It may seem like a task at first to maintain leather boots, but it is the only way you can save them from dying at an early age or even save yourselves from spending more on buying another pair.
