The condition of the football boots after they have had a running on a muddy wet pitch is not something that most are prepared for. They will look bad no doubt and obviously the boots need to be cleaned and even when there is no muddy running through a wet field…there is still a need to clean the football boots.

This will allow for extending the life of the boots that you’ve become comfortable in for a longer time. We know how difficult it is to get a good pair of boots that will serve us well…so why would we not want to look after them? That is why learning the correct method of how to clean football boots is what matters and should be learnt.

If you look at the design of the boots carefully…you will notice that there are many grooves and spikes on the soles and these have to be cleaned carefully. The main body of the boots has to be cleaned thoroughly as well. Cleaning football boots is not a difficult task…but it needs to be done properly.

The first thing that needs to be done is to clean off the dirt that has accumulated over the boots. Knocking together the shoes sole to sole will remove the grass…dirt and mud. When the initial dirt is off…use your hands or a dry cloth or even a toothbrush and get the mud stuck in the grooves or the spikes…and another way you can do this is to wet some newspapers and use these to clean the mud off.

Remove the loose mud and even get to the stubborn mud stuck in grooves and to get that mud off you will need to clean them with detergent water. Mix some mild detergent in water and mix well…then take a rough cloth and dip it in this mixture and use it to clean the shoes from every angle. Make sure that you drain the water off of the cloth before using it on the shoes and this is one tip you need to remember when learning how to clean leather shoes.

Now that the mud is completely removed…all you need to do is give it a final run down with water so that the layer of soap is completely washed off as well. Take a second piece of cloth and wipe the shoes on all sides with the clean water. Some people even learn how to clean football boots and run them under water for a thorough clean. After this has been…roll some newspapers and stuff them in the boots so that the excess water from inside is soaked out.

The newspapers will draw out the excess water…but there is a need to dry them thoroughly or you run the risk of ruining them with humidity. Leave them to dry in a cool dry place where there is a lot of air running through but make sure that you do not store them in direct sunlight or the leather can crack.

If you feel that the shine and luster of the leather has been lost…you can use a good quality leather oil to polish the shoes and restore the shine. This will help to add moisture to the dry leather and allow for the boots to last longer.

It is also important that you know how to store the boots and not just learn how to clean football boots. Store them preferably in a bag that is big enough for the boots to breathe but make sure that the boots are dry before storing them.

One of the best investments you can make is on quality leather shoes. The only catch is that you must take care of those shoes religiously. A quality pair of shoes will last you a lifetime with proper care and maintenance. Also, the products you use on your leather footwear do not have to cost more than the price of the shoes. There are a number of tips to help you maintain those leather shoes so they will not only last longer, but will maintain a great look.

The first thing to remember is that two pairs of good quality leather shoes will last more than twice as long as one pair. This mathematical impossibility is nonetheless true, because by purchasing two pair of leather shoes, you can wear one pair every other day and allow the shoes to dry on a cedar shoe tree to absorb the moisture from your skin and from the leather while still holding the shoe in the correct shape. In this case, 1 + 1 = 3.

Cleaning your leather shoes is largely a matter of daily care and daily attention to any blemishes. Using all natural shoe care products allows the leather to breathe. Suggested cleaning products include those made specifically for leather, such as saddle soap. If you use saddle soap, and follow the treatment with mink oil, you will almost always have great success in keeping your footwear looking like new. These products can be found in most areas where shoe care items are found. Goop hand cleaner which can be found in most automotive supplies stores is another great product for getting the leather clean, without damaging the product. Goop is waterless and is excellent for removing oil and grease from the surface of the leather. Pine gum will help to restore your shoes when they are the victim of small nicks, scratches and cuts. This product soaks into the leather and serves as an excellent camouflage. If the color of the leather has faded, pine gum will help to restore the color and appearance.

If you often find that you are walking or working where there is a lot of moisture, you can provide some waterproofing for your leather shoes or boots. This will help to protect the footwear from salt stains, snow and from water. If shoes do get damp, store them on a shoe tree to dry, but never place the leather shoes close to direct heat such as a stove or fireplace unit. Beeswax provides excellent water-repellent properties for protecting your leather shoes from the elements. There are also waterproofing type products sold where shoe care products appear that will help protect your shoes against the elements.

Conditioning your footwear helps to maintain soft and supple leather. Preventing cracks in the surface of the leather means that less harmful agents can attack the leather. Keeping the leather soft means the shoes will fit more comfortably too. Lanolin is great for softening the leather, while emu oil restores the natural moisture of the leather by deep penetration into the shoe.

When you are cleaning and conditioning your shoes do not forget to take care of the inside of the shoe. Using Eucalyptus oil or Tea Tree oil prevents the deterioration of the stitching by fighting against mildew and mold in the interior of the shoe as well as in the top stitching.

Keep in mind that specialty leather products such as suede or patent leather have special products intended specifically for their care. For example, you would not want to use some of the oil or cream based products in caring for suede shoes. Often regular, gentle brushing to remove loose soil and a spray on suede cleaner will be just the thing for cleaning that type of leather.

If you find problems developing in the stitching or the soles of the show, or anywhere on the shoe in fact, put the cost of repairing the shoe against the cost of replace them and make a trip to the local repair shop for shoes. The price of a good repairman is well worth it in terms of lengthened shoe life.

Finally, many people have success in caring for their shoes with various household products not specifically created for leather shoes. For example, petroleum jelly rubbed gently into the leather then allowed to sit before a bit before being wiped off keeps leather uniform shoes looking great. Others swear by furniture polish sprayed on lightly and wiped down with a cloth.