Winter pros: getting to wear fuzzy clothes and warm boots. Winter cons: having to stuff your wardrobe to the ultimate brim with the same fuzzy clothes and warm boots! The season takes quite a toll on our lives. Whether it’s taking extra care of your skin to making sure you have enough layers against the cold, winters ain’t a cakewalk. But as the mercury rises and everyone dives into spring cleaning mode, there are a few things that need to be properly cleaned and stored for the next season.
Winter boots, both leather and suede, can be used for years after their first purchase. If properly cared for, they retain their look and newness for many winters of your life. And lucky for you, there are a bunch of easy steps you can take to maintain them. We have broken down the process for you. This is how to clean, deodorize and store your boots now that winter is over!
Also Read: 30+ Types of Boots For This Winter
Cleaning Leather Boots
Cleaning your leather boots before storing them makes sure they are ready for use, as soon as winter arrives again. Start by dusting off the superficial dirt and grime from the top.
Clean: Prepare a solution of warm water and light dish soap. Soak a clean and soft cloth in it and wipe your boots thoroughly. Use a second clean, damp cloth to wipe off the soap and air dry.
Deodorise: Avoid the musty leather smell and deodorise your boots before storing them. Spray vinegar on the insides and let dry. Next, sprinkle baking soda in your shoes and leave them overnight. In the morning tap your shoes to remove any traces of baking soda. Voila! Your shoes are now smell-free.
Prep: After you thoroughly clean your leather boots, polish and buff them with a leather conditioner. This will make sure you remove any traces of stains and scuffs before they’re tucked away safely for the summer!
POPxo Recommends Helios Smooth Leather Care Kit for Rs 299. Buy it here
Cleaning Suede Boots
Suede boots are a tricky bunch. If not cleaned properly before storage, wear and tear can set in permanently, making them look dull and old sooner than they should.
Clean: Cleaning suede boots are a bit more work than your regular leather ones are. Use a suede eraser to clean off dirt and scuff marks on the surface. For tougher stains, soak with a little vinegar and wipe off with a clean, damp cloth.
Deodorise: Place baking soda onto the insole of each boot and shake it well to ensure that a thin layer of the powder is spread across the entire surface of the boots’ inner sides. Leave them in a warm place for twenty-four hours. Then, vacuum the inside of the boots thoroughly to remove the baking soda.
Prep: No matter how many precautions you take, suede boots run the risk of accumulating moisture while kept in storage. Coat them with a waterproofing spray to make sure that doesn’t happen when you put them away after winter.
POPxo Recommends: Nubuck & Suede Spray for Rs 300. Buy it here
Storing Your Boots In The Off-Season
Storing your cleaned and prepped boots properly will assure they stay in prime condition during the off-season.
Where: The key to proper storage is to do it in a place that is away from direct heat and sunlight. Keep your shoes at in the corners of your wardrobe or at the corners under your bed. This will avoid dust settling on them while in storage.
How: To keep the shape of your boots intact, stuff them with crumpled newspapers or rolled up magazines. You can also invest in boot shapers, although, they don’t come cheap. To let them breathe throughout storage, try storing your boots in fabric organisers and bags.
POPxo Recommends: Kawachi Layered Metal & Fabric Shoe Rack for Rs 1,021, buy it here.
