4 simple ways to protect leather boots from cracking

Who doesn’t want a pair of durable leather shoes? Leather is a durable and versatile material, and products made from leather are not only beautiful but also useful. Cracks in the leather will affect the beauty of the shoe and can develop into a tear. Since leather is a natural material, it can dry out and crack if exposed to hot environments or not properly maintained. Fortunately, there are ways you can keep your shoes from cracking, and how to repair minor cracks if they do form.

Table of Contents

Keep leather boots clean

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Use a soft-bristled brush or towel to wipe away dirt. Brush along the seams, folds and crevices of the leather. Try to brush away dust and dirt from the shoes. ^{[1] X Research Source}

Use a soft-bristled brush so as not to scratch the skin.

Remove stubborn dirt with a leather soap and a plastic brush. ^{[2] X Research Source} Leather shoes should be washed with a special soap. If dirt has accumulated on the shoes, you should apply some soap and use a plastic brush to gently scrub the leather surface. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

You can buy special soaps for leather at leather and shoe stores.
If you don’t have a special soap, you can use warm water and a little mild soap, like baby soap. Wet a towel in soapy water and wipe along the surface of the leather, then use a clean towel to dry the shoes.

Polish your shoes with a shoe polish. After cleaning the shoes, use a good shoe polish towel to wipe the shoes in a circular motion. Wipe the entire surface of the skin so that the skin is fully and properly moistened. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Look for shoe polish towels at a shoe store or leather supply store. You can also order shoe polish online.

Remove creases on shiny skin with castor oil. Folds are easy to form on shiny leather and damage the shiny surface of the shoe. If folds start to develop on shiny skin, apply a layer of castor oil to the surface to prevent the crease from deepening into the skin. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

You can apply castor oil after cleaning your shoes or after each use to prevent creases from forming.

Use a low pH shampoo to remove odors inside the shoes. Low pH shampoos are gentle and won’t strip moisture in the skin, but it’s an effective way to get rid of unpleasant shoe odors. Apply a small amount of shampoo to the inside of the shoe and spray more water to allow the oil to penetrate the skin. Scrub the inside of the shoe with a plastic brush or clean towel. Then rinse with clean water to wash off the soap. ^{[6] X Research Source}

Some of the brands of low pH shampoos sold in the US are Matrix Shampoo Bipage RAW Nourish, Davines Shampoo, Herbal Essences Bio Renew Argan Oil, and Joico Moisture Recovery. ^{[7] X Research Sources}
You can buy low pH shampoo at cosmetic stores, supermarkets, and drugstores.

Protect leather boots

Spray a four-season leather protector before first wearing the shoe. Four-season leather protection solution is produced in the form of an aerosol, which seals and protects the leather of shoes. Before using new shoes, you should spray four seasons leather protection solution. Spray on the entire leather surface and let it dry before using the shoe to prevent cracks from forming. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

The four-season leather protector comes in a spray form, so you can spray it on your shoes pretty easily.

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Use newly purchased boots before applying the waterproofing agent. For newly purchased boots, you should wear them indoors for a few days or a week. After a few days of use, the leather will stretch and become softer, helping the skin to better absorb the waterproofing agent. ^{[9] X Research Source}

You can also apply a leather conditioner to let the leather conditioner soak into your shoes while you’re walking.

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Apply beeswax to standard leather shoes while they are wet. If you work in a humid and greasy environment, use beeswax as a waterproofing agent for standard leather shoes. Put some beeswax on a soft cotton towel or goatskin pad and rub the beeswax on the leather while the shoe is still wet so that the beeswax is absorbed more effectively. ^{[10] X Research Source}

Wait for the shoes to dry completely after applying the beeswax.
You can find beeswax at a leather goods store, shoe store, or supermarket. You can also order beeswax online.

Apply leather conditioner to your shoes once a week. Leather conditioners, also known as lotions, are designed to hydrate and protect the leather of shoes. About once a week (or at least every month), you should apply leather conditioner to your shoes. Apply leather conditioner evenly to the surface of the shoe to keep the leather soft and prevent cracks from forming. ^{[11] X Research Source}

Skin conditioners come in the form of oils, creams, sprays, and even wipes. Choose the type of product that works best for you to protect your shoes.

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Use Nikwax Nubuck & Suede products on suede or nubuck leather. If you have special leather shoes like suede or nubuck, choose a special waterproofing that won’t damage or stain the leather. Take some Nikwax on a soft cotton towel or goatskin pad and gently wipe the surface of the shoe. Apply the wax while the shoes are still wet to help the shoes absorb the wax more effectively. ^{[12] X Research Source}

After applying Nikwax, wait until the shoes are completely dry before using.
You can find Nikwax at a shoe supply store or a leather goods store. You can also order online.

Use Meltonian cream to maintain shiny skin. Melatonin cream is a special tanning agent that does not change the appearance of shiny leather. Apply this cream to shiny leather once a week to maintain shine and help shoes look like new. ^{[13] X Research Source}

You can buy Melatonin cream at leather and shoe stores.

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Dry the outside and inside of the shoe with a cloth when the shoe gets wet. Even if the shoe is waterproof, you still need to protect it when it gets wet. Whenever shoes get wet (from work or rain), use a clean cloth to dry the outside and inside of the shoes but do not dry them too much. ^{[14] X Research Source}

Water-soaked shoes should be blotted dry as soon as possible. Shoes can become deformed and stained if left wet for too long.

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Keep shoes away from heat sources and air dry. Whenever shoes get wet, due to cleaning or use, never use a dryer or hair dryer to dry the shoes. Dryers can dry out the surface of the leather and cause cracks to form. Instead, you should just dry the shoes naturally. ^{[15] X Research Source}

Avoid drying shoes in the sun. Heat and UV rays can dry out shoe leather and cause it to crack. ^{[16] X Research Source}

Store leather boots

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Use the footbed to maintain the shape of the boot. The sole is a tool that is inserted into the shoe and helps maintain the shape of the shoe, preventing wrinkles or folds from forming. Instead of stacking two shoes on top of each other or placing a shoe on the floor of a closet, tuck it into the bottom of your shoe. ^{[17] X Research Source}

The cedar base will bring a natural woody scent to the shoe. ^{[18] X Research Sources}
Shop for shoe soles at a shoe supply store, a leather goods store, or order shoe soles online.
You can also stuff your boots with materials such as plastic bags, newspaper, magazine rolls, or foam to maintain their shape during storage.

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Store shoes in a well-ventilated place and out of direct sunlight. Choose a room that’s well-ventilated, like a closet or bedroom, and avoid damp spaces that don’t allow air to circulate, like attics and basements. Do not expose shoes to direct sunlight, as the sun will dry out the skin and change the appearance of the shoes. ^{[19] X Research Source}

Apply Nikwax and stuff the boots with newspaper before storing if the shoes are exposed to a humid environment. It’s best to never put your shoes away while they’re still wet. But if you use your shoes at work or accidentally get them wet, stuff them with newspaper or a dry rag and apply a coat of Nikwax while the shoes are still wet. Then, store the shoes in a well-ventilated place and out of direct sunlight. ^{[20] X Research Sources}

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Store your shoes in a cupboard to avoid being bitten by your pet. Those furry friends like to break boots more than other objects, they can damage shoes with claws and teeth. If you have a pet that likes to nibble on shoes, store them in a closet, on a shelf, or somewhere safe. ^{[21] X Research Source}

You can also hang your shoes on a clothes rack so your pet can’t reach them (but cats can find their way around things overhead).

Repair cracked leather boots

Use a soft-bristled brush or towel to wipe away dirt. Brush gently in a circular motion to remove dirt from the surface of the shoe. Be sure to remove dirt trapped in seams, folds and crevices. ^{[22] X Research Source}

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Wash the surface of the shoe with a special soap. If the shoes are very dirty, you should wash them with a special soap for leather. Take some soap on the shoes and use a plastic brush to scrub gently. ^{[23] X Research Sources}

You can also mix some baby soap in warm water, and use soapy water to wash your shoes.

Stuff paper or rags into the boot to keep the shape of the shoe. Wash some newspaper or clean rags and stuff them into the boots. Stuff just enough to hold the shoe’s shape, allowing you to more effectively repair surface cracks. ^{[24] X Research Sources}

You can also use white paper to stuff the shoes.

Use the back of a metal spoon to apply mink grease to the crack. Mink grease can be used to fill small cracks in leather. Apply mink grease to your shoes and use the back of a metal spoon to grease the cracks in the leather. Wait for the shoe to dry after applying oil to the crack. ^{[25] X Research Sources}

The crack may not go away immediately, but the oil will reduce the depth and make the crack less visible.
You can buy mink grease at leather and shoe stores, or order it online.

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Fill deep cracks with leather putty and polish with sandpaper. Leather tanning paste is a water-based acrylic cream, specifically used to fill cracks in the skin. Use a sponge to put bait on the crack. For very deep cracks, you should use a color mixing knife to put the bait. Wait for the putty to dry for 5 minutes, then use fine sandpaper to polish. ^{[26] X Research Source}

You can buy leather mattite at a leather goods store, or order it online.

Treat leather with specialized cream. Moisturize the leather with a special cream after shoe repair. ^{[27] X Source of Study} Take some cream on a soft cloth like the one cut out of an old shirt and rub it over the entire surface of the shoe in a circular motion. Then, wait for the cream to dry for 10-20 minutes. ^{[28] X Research Sources}

Specialized shoe cream can have many colors for you to choose. Compare the cream color with the skin color to choose the closest color.

Advice

See the manufacturer’s boot care instructions for instructions on how to clean, maintain, and store the shoes.
For cosplay boots, you should paint the shoes with a specialized cosplay paint to prevent the leather from cracking. ^{[29] X Research Sources}

Steps

Keep leather boots clean

Protect leather boots

Store leather boots

Repair cracked leather boots

Advice

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