Blundstone is a brand that is known for its high-quality, durable, and casual leather boots. Made from leather with various finishes, suede, nubuck, and even canvas, each model requires different kinds of care in order to keep them clean and durable. We’ll cover all of them in this article.
To properly maintain and protect your Blundstone boots, it is important to clean them regularly, condition the leather to prevent cracking, and re-apply waterproofing treatments as needed. With the help of specially formulated products like Otter Wax Leather Salve, Leather Oil, and Leather Wax, your Blundstones will be protected from water, salt, and other harsh elements while also being kept supple.
So without further ado, let’s grab those boots and implement the steps outlined in this guide!
This boot is made with water-resistant leather and though it uses cement construction, the toe spring, shock absorbant insole, and TPU outsoles give this boot unparalleled comfort.
Why You Should Treat Your Blundstone boots
These boots are made from quality leather and are known for their durability and resistance to wear and tear. However, even the best leather boots can be damaged if not properly cared for.
One of the main reasons to treat your Blundstone boots is to protect the leather from damage. Leather can dry out and crack over time, which can make your boots look worn and unattractive — and more importantly, it makes them more likely to be damaged.
Another important reason to treat your Blundstone boots is to protect them from water and other harsh elements. Leather is a natural material that can be damaged by water and salt, which can cause the leather to dry out and crack.
Treating your Blundstone boots is also important to keep them looking their best. Regular cleaning, conditioning, and waterproofing will help to protect your boots from the elements and keep them in top condition for many years to come. This can also help to extend the life of your boots, saving you money in the long run.
How to Clean Your Blundstone Boots
First up, you want to clean your Blundstones. These instructions are for Blundstones that aren’t suede or nubuck; instructions for those models are further down the article.
Cleaning your boots makes sure that you’re not trapping dirt underneath the conditioning and waterproofing products you’ll use to condition the leather to improve its longevity later on.
The video above is a great guide for when they’re really salty, but here’s what you’ll need for regular wear:
- Soft-bristled brush or damp cloth
This will be used to remove dirt and debris from the surface of your boots. - Leather cleaner
This takes care of most stains. - Saddle soap (optional)
For more intense stains that won’t come out with regular cleaning. - Water
Water will be used to mix with the soap to create the cleaning solution. - Cloth
A cloth will be used to apply the cleaning solution to the leather and to wipe away any soap residue. Think an old t-shirt, clean dish towel, or microfiber cloth.
Again, suede and nubuck need different products, but the list above covers what you’ll need for their smooth leathers, whether it’s a mottled 585 or a smooth 550.
For your all-in-one leather care needs, this kit provides waterproofing wax, moisturizing conditioner, and saddle soap for the extra tough stains.
- Bang your boots together.
Get rid of the big chunks of dirt from your boots by banging them together. Have fun doing it. - Wipe away remaining dirt.
Once you’ve removed the major dirt chunks, use an old shirt or a microfiber cloth to wipe away as much dust as you can. A horsehair brush is often used for this step. This step prevents small grains of sand from causing scratches on the leather when you apply conditioner. Cleaning off the dirt first also ensures that you don’t trap dust in the pores of the leather with the conditioner. - Clean the sole.
To clean the sole, use a damp cloth instead of applying water directly to the boot.You can use water on the rubber, but try to avoid getting the leather wet. Don’t worry if some water does get on the leather, but the goal is to have the upper as dry as possible before conditioning, so let them dry a few minutes before conditioning.
- Clean the leather.
Here’s where you’ll use the first cleaner in your toolkit — hopefully, it’s all you’ll need.
Any leather cleaner will do, but we like Cobbler’s Choice Leather Cleaner because it’s inexpensive, it’s made with all natural ingredients, the spray applicator makes the process easier, and it cleans more gently. Really harsh cleaners like Saddle Soap, which you’ll learn about in Step 6, can be risky.
Simply spray the cleaner onto the boot and scrub it in circular motions with a clean rag. If your leather cleaner doesn’t come with a spray nozzle, pour a small amount onto the rag and scrub. Wipe them down with a rag when you’re done. - Leave the boots to dry.
Leave the Blundstones in a cool, dry area. They should be dry in about an hour. - Optional step: Use Saddle Soap.
This is for stains that just won’t come out, and it’s an option that shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Originally designed for use on extremely beat up cowboy saddles, Saddle Soap is an astringent, meaning it constricts the fibers of the hide to squeeze out stains. That process can easily squeeze out moisture and dye as well, so you need to be careful.
We wrote a whole guide for how to use Saddle Soap on boots, but the short version is to dip a horsehair brush in water, rub it on the surface of the soap to create a lather, and work it into the boot one panel at a time. Scrub for 5 to 10 seconds in small, circular motions, then rub everything off with a dry rag.
If there’s still a stain, clean that spot a little more, maybe using you fingernail to push the soap into it deeply and then scratch the dirt away.
Once all the stains are out, lather the panel again to even out the color, then wipe it all off with a wet paper towel or cloth.
Wait until the next day for the boot to dry out and you can start conditioning.
How to Condition Blundstone Boots
Now that your boots are clean, you want to condition them. This is basically moisturizing skin, just like you do your face, in order to improve its longevity and elasticity and to prevent cracking down the line. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Otter Wax’s Leather Oil.
This is a great choice as it quickly penetrates the leather and keeps it flexible and supple. It’s also what’s recommended by Schott for their leather jackets.
OR
Bick 4
This is another good conditioner if you don’t want to darken your leather. It doesn’t penetrate as deeply into the leather as Otter Wax, so it’s not as great at waterproofing, but it will keep your leather healthy and maintain the color. - A clean rag or horsehair brush. This is to apply the conditioner and to buff the boots afterward.
Once you’ve chosen a leather conditioner, it’s time to apply it to your boots. It’s super simple.
- Squeeze out a quarter-sized amount on each boot.
The more you use, the more likely the leather is to darken. That’s not a big deal, and honestly, you should expect some color change. It’ll lighten in the coming weeks, but remember your boots are darker because they’re more moist. It’s a sign the leather is healthier. - Spread the conditioner evenly across the surface.
You’ll hear people say you should use a rag, but it’s no big deal to just use your hands, here. Be sure to condition the seams, which experience extra stress. - Leave the conditioner on the boot for about 10 minutes,
allowing it to settle into the pores of the leather. - Use a cloth or horsehair brush to buff the leather,
bringing out its shine. Swipe vigorously; the idea is to heat the conditioner a bit to help it liquefy, spread more evenly, and drop a little deeper into the leather.
If the leather feels greasy, wipe it down with another clean cloth to remove any excess conditioner. If you feel that the boots could benefit from another coat of conditioner, feel free to repeat it — if your Blundstones have had years of wear and no conditioning at all, this might be a good idea.
You can now wear your boots and go on with your day… or if you want even more protection, you can take the final step of waterproofing the leather.
A Guide to Waterproofing Your Blundstone Boots
There are pros and cons to waterproofing your boots.
Pro: the leather will be easier to keep clean because you’ll have made a barrier on its surface that repels stains and water.
Con: The leather won’t breathe as well in the heat, and it’ll be harder to condition in the future because waterproofing spray typically stays where it is. That’s a comfort to a lot of guys: it’ll stay waterproof for a long time.
Now, if you’ve used Otter Wax’s Leather Oil to condition, you’ll have conferred a decent amount of waterproofness to your boots already. That product both conditions and beefs up water resistance thanks to its wax content.
But if you’ve used a lighter conditioner like Bick 4, or if you want to really maximize your waterproofness, make your choice of the two products below.
Which Products Are Best for Waterproofing Blundstones?
Here’s where you consider different methods of waterproofing.
Popular products like Scotchguard contain silicone, making it very effective, but it blocks the pores of the leather.
On the other hand, a product like Otter Wax’s Boot Wax coats the leather in the all natural, hydrophobic ingredients beeswax and lanolin. This will darken the leather more than Scotchguard and may not be quite as effective, but it’s still very effective and is better for the leather long-term.
How to Waterproof Your Blundstone Boots
Here are some steps you can take to waterproof your Blundstone boots:
- Clean your boots.
Before you waterproof your boots, it is important to clean them thoroughly per the instructions earlier in this article. Remember to wait an hour or so for the boots to dry before moving onto the next step. - Condition the leather.
Before applying your waterproof barrier, you want to condition the leather to keep it healthy and moisturized, as it’ll be a long time before oils and waxes can make their way into the leather once it’s been waterproofed. - Apply waterproofing spray or wax.
Once the boots are clean and conditioned, you can apply a waterproofing spray or wax to protect them from water and other harsh elements. If you’re using an aerosol spray like Scotchguard, hold the boot a few inches away and spray in short bursts in a swiping motion to make sure it’s applied evenly.
If using something like Otter Wax’s Boot Wax, you can simply wipe a small amount on your palms, rub your hands together to warm it up and liquefy it, then wipe it on the boot! - Allow the boots to dry. After applying the waterproofing spray or wax, allow the boots to dry completely at room temperature.
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How to Clean and Condition Suede and Nubuck Blundstone Boots
For suede or nubuck Blundstones, you’ll want some different products. As these leathers aren’t smooth, and you’re instead contending with slightly rough or nappy fibers, regular creams won’t work the same way.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Suede brush or eraser
If your boots are suede, you may need a suede brush or eraser to remove dirt and stains. - Suede cleaner
If your boots are particularly dirty and the brush/eraser isn’t cutting it, you may need a suede cleaner specifically designed for use on suede. We like Otter Wax’s Suede Cleaner or Saphir Omninettoyant. - Saphir Renovateur
The only tool for conditioning and treating suede and nubuck, the aerosol delivery helps it to penetrate the leather without matting down the fibers. - Suede protector
This creates a barrier around the suede to minimize the chances of future stains and water damage. We like Saphir’s Invulner or Tarragon Nanospray.
Combining the powers of the eraser and the stuff bristled brush will help to keep the fuzzy nap of your suede or roughout clean as can be without using liquids.
Once you’ve got all your tools ready, here’s how to go about it.
- Brush off dirt and debris.
Use the suede brush, which is stiffer than regular horsehair brushes, to remove any dirt or debris from the surface of your boots. - Use the suede eraser on stains.
If your suede or nubuck has stains, you can use the suede eraser (or a white pencil eraser) to gently rub away the stain. Be sure to test the eraser on an inconspicuous area of the boot first to make sure it doesn’t damage the suede. Yep, it works just like a pencil eraser. - Use a suede cleaner.
If your boots are particularly dirty and you’re having trouble lifting stains with the eraser alone, you can use a cleaner specifically designed for use on suede. (Again, we recommend Otter Wax’s Suede Cleaner or Saphir Omninettoyant.)
Simply shake, dispense the cleaner onto a cloth, and apply it in a circular motion. Wait an hour for the boots to dry before the last step.How to apply Saphir Renovateur spray. - Condition your boots.
After cleaning, you want to condition your boots with the Saphir Renovateur. Follow the motions in the gif above: hold the boot a few inches away from the can and spray in short bursts, moving the spray across the boot as it leaves the cannister to ensure an even coat that’s not too concentrated. - Let the boots dry
at room temperature for an hour or more. - Protect your suede.
To fortify your suede or nubuck against rain, salt, and snow, apply your Invulner or Nanospray in the same manner you applied the Renovateur spray: in short bursts, gliding along the leather to ensure even coverage.
After letting them rest for an hour, you’re ready to take your healthier, longer lasting, and more weatherproof Blundstones out on new adventures.
[Further Reading: The Complete Guide to Cleaning Suede Boots]
Wrapping Up
If you want to keep your Blundstones looking and performing their best, regular cleaning, conditioning, and weatherproofing will help to protect your boots from the elements and keep them in top condition.
By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure that your Blundstone boots will remain a reliable and stylish choice for footwear. Remember to always choose products that are specially formulated for leather and suede.
With proper care, your Blundstones can be your first choice for years to come.
Do Blundstones need to be waterproofed?
Blundstone's leather is very water resistant when it's new, but after a season or two of wear, the leather will dry out. Apply a product like Otter Wax's Boot Wax to condition the leather and beef up the waterproofness when the leather's feeling dry and water no longer beads off of it.
What happens if you get Blundstones wet?
If your leather boots do become wet, allow them to dry naturally at room temperature. Do not expose them to an artificial heat source as can cause considerable damage to the leather and may lead to it becoming dry and brittle. Boots are meant to take punishment and you shouldn't worry too much about getting them wet, but you can enhance waterproofness with products like Otter Wax's Boot Wax.
Do Blundstones have a lifetime warranty?
All Blundstone products are fully guaranteed against defects in materials and workmanship. The warranty does not cover regular wear and tear.
Veljko Vesic
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