How to Clean Riding Boots
Something all riders eventually learn is how to clean riding boots. After all, clean riding boots are essential for horse shows. Spit shine boots show the judge that the rider cares. Cleaning riding boots also allows a riders to inspect their equipment, which is important to safety. While there are variations on how to clean riding boots,I plan to share what I think is the best way to clean and polish leather riding boots.
You will need: a medium bucket or bowl of clean luke warm water, a round tack sponge, Lexol leather cleaner, a couple cotton rags, black Kiwi Parade Wax polish, shoe brush, sprayer bottle of water(optional)
Use a cotton rag and some water to clean dirt and mud off the boots. Do not get the leather too wet. If you think the leather is too wet make sure to dry it immediately. Clean off the entire boot including the sole. Dry the boot completely.
Optional Step: You can remove old boot polish with rubbing alcohol and actually, with shaving creams containing alcohol. If you decide to strip old polish, be sure to test the alcohol on a small area of leather that is hidden (like the instep) to make sure it does not discolor the leather. In my experience it won't do this, but better safe than sorry. Removing old polish first helps get boots super shiny.
Next, use a damp sponge and Lexol cleaner and rub the boots in a circular motion. Wipe off any excess lather with a clean cloth. I like Lexol because it is a gentle, pH balanced liquid leather soap. I don't like the conbination soap and conditioners because they leave a residue, which is not conducive to super clean riding boots!
Now it's time to polish. Kiwi brand parade wax polish have a high wax content compared to creme polishes such as Meltonian. I like Meltonian polish, but the more wax, the shinier, and we like shiny! Rub the polish into the boot in a circular motion. Then set it aside to dry. You can polish the second riding boot while the polish on the first riding boot is drying.
After the polish has dried, use a back and forth motion with the boot brush vigorously to remove excess polish and bring out shine. You can use a clean rag if you dont own a boot brush. You can also spray a little water (or flick a little with your fingers) onto the boot before buffing out to enhace shine. This is where the term "spit shine" comes from, and yes you can use spit too!
I hope that this article has helped you learn how to clean riding boots. Enjoy your shiny, clean riding boots at your next show or riding lesson.
You will need: a medium bucket or bowl of clean luke warm water, a round tack sponge, Lexol leather cleaner, a couple cotton rags, black Kiwi Parade Wax polish, shoe brush, sprayer bottle of water(optional)
Use a cotton rag and some water to clean dirt and mud off the boots. Do not get the leather too wet. If you think the leather is too wet make sure to dry it immediately. Clean off the entire boot including the sole. Dry the boot completely.
Optional Step: You can remove old boot polish with rubbing alcohol and actually, with shaving creams containing alcohol. If you decide to strip old polish, be sure to test the alcohol on a small area of leather that is hidden (like the instep) to make sure it does not discolor the leather. In my experience it won't do this, but better safe than sorry. Removing old polish first helps get boots super shiny.
Next, use a damp sponge and Lexol cleaner and rub the boots in a circular motion. Wipe off any excess lather with a clean cloth. I like Lexol because it is a gentle, pH balanced liquid leather soap. I don't like the conbination soap and conditioners because they leave a residue, which is not conducive to super clean riding boots!
Now it's time to polish. Kiwi brand parade wax polish have a high wax content compared to creme polishes such as Meltonian. I like Meltonian polish, but the more wax, the shinier, and we like shiny! Rub the polish into the boot in a circular motion. Then set it aside to dry. You can polish the second riding boot while the polish on the first riding boot is drying.
After the polish has dried, use a back and forth motion with the boot brush vigorously to remove excess polish and bring out shine. You can use a clean rag if you dont own a boot brush. You can also spray a little water (or flick a little with your fingers) onto the boot before buffing out to enhace shine. This is where the term "spit shine" comes from, and yes you can use spit too!
I hope that this article has helped you learn how to clean riding boots. Enjoy your shiny, clean riding boots at your next show or riding lesson.
