How to clean and maintain your tactical boots: A Complete Guide

Regular cleaning of your tactical boots can increase the lifespan of your boots. You should clean your boots every time they start to appear dirty.

Here’s everything you need to know about cleaning suede tactical boots & leather tactical boot care.

Leather tactical boot care

Often, police, military service members, and other tactical personnel are expected to keep on top of boot cleanliness. Even if you aren’t required to keep on top of your boots, is there anything better than sporting a pair of shiny boots?

You will need:

- A damp cloth and a dry, cloth (ideally polishing cloths, but if this isn’t possible, cotton cloths will do)
- A horsehair polish brush
- Wax shoe polish
- Cotton buds and cotton wool balls
- An old bedsheet, towel or newspaper (use this to cover your workspace, as cleaning leather boots can be a little messy)

To clean your leather boots, follow these steps:

1. Remove dust and dirt from the upper and sole of your boots with a polishing brush using gentle, back-and-forth motions. You can dampen the brush slightly if you need to. Be careful not to use a brush with synthetic bristles as this can scratch your boots surface.
2. Wipe your boots with a damp cloth to remove any remaining dirt
3. Apply a thick layer of polish using small, circular motions with a dry cloth. Allow the polish to dry for 15 minutes, it’s important to allow the base coat to absorb. Don’t expect a shine yet, a base coat smooths out the leather and irregularities, so you can that perfect shine later.
4. Scrub the boot polish with a soft-bristled brush or dry cloth to remove excess polish. Wait another 5 minutes. If your boots already have base coat, you can skip steps 3 and 4.
5. Apply small amounts of polish with a damp cloth, using small, circular motions. Dampening the cloth will prevent it from absorbing polish.
6. Repeat the process until the entire boot is covered in fresh polish. You may need six or seven coats get a good shine. Switching back and forth between boots will allow each layer to dry between steps.
7. After all the polish is dry, use a clean, dry cloth to buff your boots.

When it comes to polishing tactical boots, the key thing to remember are to use small, circular motions and work with the thinnest layer of polish possible. The first shine is always the hardest, after that, you’ll have a solid base coat and the process will become faster and easier.

Cleaning suede boots

Suede tactical boots, such as those worn with daily military uniforms, require a different cleaning process than leather boots.

You will need:

- A suede or soft-bristled brush
- 2 clean white cloths
- A rubber (or eraser)
- White vinegar or washing up liquid
- Warm water
- Silicone spray or suede protector

Before you begin cleaning your boots, allow time for any mud to completely dry.

To clean your suede tactical boots, follow these simple steps.

1. Using a soft-bristled brush, lightly brush the surface of the boot to remove loose dust and dirt. If you do not have a suede or soft-bristled brush, an old toothbrush will work. When brushing, remember to brush with the grain (in the same direction the suede naturally sits).
2. Gently rub away scuffs with a rubber, by using a constant, back and forth motion. Avoid rubbing too hard on the suede as this can risk damaging the boot.
3. Lightly dampen one of the clean cloths with warm water, and run it over the entire boot surface to remove any surface dirt and debris you were unable to remove with the brush
4. Scrub the suede with a soft-bristled brush to work out ground-in dirt, ensuring you are brushing the suede in one direction
5. Dip the damp cloth in white vinegar or a mixture of gentle washing up liquid and warm water to remove any remaining marks or stains. Use small, circular motion on the stain to gently remove it. Always avoid using harsh cleaners that are alcohol or oil based.
6. Apply silicone spray or suede protector to the suede and buff with a soft, dry cloth.

Aside from cleaning the exterior of your tactical boots, the inside may also need a little TLC to keep them clean and fresh. If you have removable soles, you can take them out and wipe down the insides. Always be sure to allow them to dry completely before replacing the insoles to avoid mildew.

Cleaning oil stains out of suede

It’s important to remove stains as soon as possible, to stop the stain from setting in.

If your suede tactical boots are oil-stained, mix cornflour (cornstach if you’re in the US) and water into a paste. Apply it to the stain and let it dry, then brush it away with a soft-bristled brush.

Routine boot cleaning and care

The best way to keep suede boots clean is day-to-day maintenance and spot cleaning, by brushing down your boots daily and removing stains as soon as possible. If boots are wet, always allow them to air dry away from excessive heat, including direct sunlight.

You can view our complete range of tactical boots here, including top brands Bates, 5.11, Magnum and VIKTOS >

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