How to polish leather ankle boots?

Why wax your leather boots?

Are your leather ankle boots no longer in good condition? Are they scratched and the leather discolouring over the seasons? A little shine wouldn't hurt to restore their full suppleness! How do you go about maintaining leather ankle boots? It's not that complicated; we'll explain the steps to effectively polish your leather shoes.

If leather is not regularly maintained, it risks drying out and deteriorating over time, to the point of being permanently damaged (cracks, tearing of a seam, a thread...). That would be a shame, wouldn't it? With good maintenance, you significantly increase the lifespan of your leather ankle boots.

Beyond preserving the quality of the material, polishing your shoes is essential to ensure an elegant and striking look!

Which cleaning products should be used for polishing leather shoes?

Whether they are made of smooth, oiled, patent, or suede leather, your leather shoes do not require the same care and should be treated with products adapted to their material and color.

Smooth and oiled leathers
For smooth leathers, you can opt for a polish a little darker than the leather's shade. A lighter polish would not hide imperfections in the leather; on the contrary, it would make them stand out more.

To care for smooth leather ankle boots, you will need the following items:

A dirt removal brush
A horsehair brush
A cleaning milk
A nourishing cream
A chamois cloth
A jar of shoe polish
A waterproofing spray

Suede leathers
Suede, split leather velvet, and nubuck leathers are extremely fragile. Do not apply shoe polish to this type of material. Specific care is dedicated to them.

To care for suede leathers, you will need:

A suede brush or an eraser for cleaning
A color revitalizing spray

Patent leathers
To preserve the shine of patent leather, as with suede leathers, shoe polish is to be avoided. To make your patent leather ankle boots shine brightly, equip yourself with:

A cloth
White vinegar
A silicone-based spray

Steps to follow to care for leather ankle boots

Preparation
If your leather ankle boots have laces, be sure to remove them beforehand to avoid getting them dirty.

If you have shoe trees, don't hesitate to use them. They help achieve a uniform result over the entire shoe, even in the creases.

Dusting
Take a stiff brush and rub vigorously to remove all dirt.

Cleaning
Using a clean chamois cloth, apply a small amount of cleaning milk in a circular motion to ensure it penetrates the leather, paying particular attention to wear creases. Don't hesitate to repeat this several times if you notice your ankle boots need it. If the sole and heel are made of leather, feel free to give them a quick clean too! Let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes for the product to work sufficiently. The cleaning milk thus prepares the leather for polishing, removes stains, and prevents the leather from aging poorly (cracking, clogging).

For suede leathers, use a suede brush (not a chamois cloth).

For patent leathers, gently rub with a cloth soaked in white vinegar.

Steps to care for leather ankle boots

Preparation

If your leather ankle boots have laces, be sure to remove them beforehand to avoid getting them dirty.

If you have shoe trees, feel free to use them. They help achieve a uniform result over the entire shoe, even in the creases.

Dusting

Take a scrubbing brush and rub vigorously to remove all dirt.

Cleaning

Using a clean chamois cloth, apply a pea-sized amount of cleansing milk in a circular motion to allow it to penetrate the leather thoroughly, and insist on wear creases. Don't hesitate to repeat the process several times if you notice your ankle boots need it. If the sole and heel are leather, feel free to give them a quick wipe too! Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes for the product to work sufficiently. The cleansing milk thus prepares the leather for polishing, removes stains, and prevents the leather from aging poorly (cracking, clogging).

For suede leather, you should use a suede brush (not a chamois cloth).

For patent leather, gently rub with a cloth soaked in white vinegar.

Moisturizing
Just like cleaning, use a chamois cloth to apply the moisturizer in a circular motion over the entire boot, not forgetting the creases, sole, tongue, and heel. Once nourished, they will shine brightly!

Polishing
Polishing will protect the hydration provided to the leather for a long time, and it will also bring out the patina. You can apply it with a horsehair brush. Contrary to popular belief, shoe polish does not penetrate the leather; it remains on the surface.

For suede leathers, you can apply a color renovator spray.

For patent leathers, spray a silicone-based spray to protect them.

Protecting
It is entirely possible to combine the protection of shoe polish with the application of a waterproofing agent in case of bad weather. Thanks to it, stains will not have time to soak into the leather and will be easier to remove during the next polishing. Spray from a distance of 30 centimeters from your leather boots and let dry for 30 minutes. Repeat the operation a second time.