Leather boots aren’t just for cowboys anymore. A good leather boot is something that everybody, regardless of style, can have in their closet. A traditional leather boot can be worn to work or to complement a more relaxed, casual attire.
Investing in a quality leather pair is essential if you want them to last through seasons. It’s essential to look after your leather boots if you want them for a long time. With proper maintenance, your leather boots will look after your feet for many years.
When it comes to its maintenance, then YES, you can absolutely use your hair conditioner on leather boots. Infact, there have been studies claiming that using affordable hair conditioners is better for hydrating and maintaining your favourite pair of leather boots because they contain more wax and paraffin than the fancy, pricier ones.
Okay, so before we give you reasons on why should you condition your leather boots, let us understand the perks leather boots has to offer:
1.) It lets your feet breathe
It allows air to travel through the material and this is ideal for you since the material allows air to circulate, keeping your feet cool and odor-free.
2.) Better protection
The natural material with which leather is made, is strong and can provide protection from hot liquids and falling items. If you work in a physically demanding workplace, leather can help protect your feet from injuries and mishaps.
3.) It is comfortable
Leather is not only a naturally strong material but is also very comfortable. Your feet will appreciate the comfort and support that leather shoes provide. They will properly adapt to your feet as you wear them and break them in.
4.) It provides durability
One of the most significant advantages of leather shoes is their durability. Shoes made of genuine leather can outlast shoes manufactured of faux, synthetic materials. High-quality leather holds up well in harsh industrial situations, extending the life of the shoes.
The biggest benefit of getting a pair is that you won’t have to buy new ones every few months or even years. I know the price of leather can be off-putting, but trust me, they’re a good investment because they last longer than an average work boot.
6.) It repels water
Water and other liquids will not penetrate leather that has been treated or waxed. When working outdoors, wearing water-resistant footwear is ideal in order to keep your feet dry and prevent the boot from being damaged by the external elements.
7.) Easy to clean
Unlike other materials that are difficult to clean, leather is simple to clean with a moistened washcloth. Leather products are also easy to dry once they have been washed because the material is permeable. But make sure to air dry them and not under direct sunlight.
You must take care of any leather product to get the most out of it, and because leather is easy to clean, this is not a difficult task.
Now, why do you need to condition your leather boots?
Because shoes are the backbone of your wardrobe, you abuse them more than any other object in your closet. More than a thousand times, you slam them into the ground, exposing them to rain, oil, salts, filth, and debris.
To make sure of its longevity, the leather has to be supple and resistant to water penetration. And how are you going to achieve that?
Conditioning, of course!
See, leather, after all, is skin, and like your skin, it’s resilient but nevertheless vulnerable to hard surfaces, requiring protection and care. If leather loses its natural oils and moisture, it loses its flexibility and becomes dry and brittle, making it prone to damage.
The leather on your boots, unlike your skin, which is alive and receives food from the body, only absorbs the nourishment you give it. It’s easy for it to dry out and become brittle, absorb excessive moisture, or be ruined in a variety of ways.
A good quality leather conditioner is made to absorb quickly and nourish as well as restore the fibres’ elasticity. But if you don’t have access to a leather conditioner, don’t fret; your hair conditioner will suffice! But not your expensive, professional hair conditioner, here we literally mean, the cheaper the better!
So here we have some quick tips for you on how can you condition your leather boots at home:
1.) First of all, clean your leather boots. There should be no dirt or debris. Wash your boots with water and sponge.
2.) Then let it AIR DRY completely. Here, I’m stressing on AIR DRY because direct sunlight or using heaters or hair dryers can destroy your boots. So you have to let it air dry.
3.) Then take your hair conditioner and generously apply it all over the surface of the boot. It’s a good choice due to its incredible wax characteristics, which may help you clean your leather boot quickly and effectively.
Another advantage of hair conditioners is that they are excellent moisturisers that help to keep the leather material in good condition for a long duration.
4.) Remove any extra conditioner from your boot and let it dry. Allow them to rest on a napkin at room temperature for at least 24 hours. If you want your boots to dry faster, crumple up some paper and insert it in your boots, replacing it out as needed.
5.) Once it’s dry, your leather boots are ready to be used again.
How often should you condition your leather boots?
Well, that depends on the product you’re using to condition your leather boots, the health of your leather boots, and the environment in which they’re worn.
If you are using some professional leather oil or conditioners, then it will last you more than hair conditioners, which needs to be re-applied very often.
Also, the way they appear is the most crucial thing to look for when determining whether to condition them.
Do they appear to be dry? If yes, you can condition them. Older shoes, as well as those constructed of more delicate, intricate leathers, will require more conditioning because the leather moisturizing properties wear off faster.
In terms of the environment, wearing your leather boots in the snowy states of Washington and Utah may require more frequent conditioning than wearing them in warmer climates.
Things to watch out for before conditioning
Talking about conditioning your leather boots, one thing you need to be careful about is, you cannot use hair conditioners or any homemade remedy on suede leathers. Infact, even leather conditioning oils cannot be used on all types of leather.
So it’s important you identify the product well before experimenting with them. Though hair conditioners work perfectly fine with genuine, full-grain leather boots and even synthetic leather boots.
Also, leather conditioning products are designed to work in leather and therefore it lasts longer than hair conditioners. So you have to make sure to frequently indulge in using hair conditioners to moisturize your leather boots.
General FAQs for your convenience
Some professional leather conditioners you can go for:
1.) Leather Honey Leather Conditioner-
- COMPLETE LEATHER CARE KIT
- CLEAN AND RESTORE ALL TYPES/COLORS OF LEATHER:
- POWERFUL LEATHER CONDITIONER
- NON-TOXIC, GENTLE LEATHER CLEANER
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
2.) Lexol Leather Conditioner-
- Item Width: 3.15 Inc
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
3.) Obenauf’s Heavy Duty LP Leather Conditioner-
- Leather conditioner cream with real beeswax and plant oils
- Condition, restore dried and sun faded leather saddle bags, chaps, and holsters
- Heavy Duty Leather Preservative is Made in the USA
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
What other home remedies can you use to condition your leather boots?
1.) Olive oil or coconut oil: after cleaning your boots, you can apply olive or coconut oil on your boot and let it sit for a while before removing excess oil.
2.) Petroleum jelly: yes, it can be used to polish up old, dull leather. To use, clean the shoes with a moist cloth before putting them on. Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to the leather once it has dried. Then, using a soft cloth, buff the gel away.
Conclusion
By now it must have been clear to you that you have to take care of your leather boots if you want them around for a long time. From protecting your feet to providing you comfort and style, they go through a lot of hardships for our sake.
So it is equally important that we return the favour by maintaining them and keeping them supple and healthy. And what better? If a bottle of hair conditioner can be used for moisturizing your hair as well as those leather boots of yours.
