How to Clean and Condition Work Boots // Ep. 146 

heck ya! I was waiting for anyone to catch that! LOL!

Einhorn is Finkle!?

Hi Erin, Thank you for the kind words. Yes, the oil will darken .. but through the average day of wear and tear... and drying out ..will lighten them back again (that's when I know I need to re-condition them).

careful to not scrub the leather with the heavy duty green pads such as scotch bright because some of those are too abrasive and will put tiny cuts in the leather and cause it to look like suede. there are some scotch bright pads that are like sandpaper, and you don’t want that. the surface of the leather has to remain relatively smooth to retain its integrity, and strength so it doest hold onto the dirt as much like an open wound, and damaging oils like roofing tar, hydraulic fluid, and motor oils that can degrade the leather and break down the quality of the leather. you don’t want to turn redwings into dead wings. a brush, or a scrubbing pad that’s not so abrasive, and relatively infrequent cleaning with ensure long life. a quick soft daily cleaning goes a long way without having to deep clean, and recondition the leather often is the way to go.

@@ginoasci2876 100% GREAT info!

My wife would get flowers, chocolate, and nice dinner for a surprise like that lol

Good to know!

There's no difference between redwing mink oil and dollar store brand

Awesome to hear....glad it helped!

Glad we could help! I'm no expert... but this is what I have done with my boots and have very good results.

appreciate the comment. Yah fiberglass is the worst. Glad I am not around that!

Magic eraser works great....or grab a toothbrush with some AJAX or detergent. Thanks for the comment!

Glad you liked it!

Thanks for the comment and tip!

Obenauf’s is the bomb. Best product no one’s heard of.

How often would ya'll recommend cleaning and conditioning?

@@jumprockz3134 Depends on what you do. Mud and concrete will dry out leather really fast. Don't let either of them sit on your boots over night, that's what causes leather to crack. But, basically if you start noticing the leather getting lighter in color or scuffs showing up easier, it's because it's drying out. Once a month for basic wear but if your in mud, or concrete, or some other harsh environment... more often.

my second question is i have 2 care products should i be using both or sticking with one i just want that extra protection

Thanks for your feedback! I have heard something similar about saddle soap.. but specifically about poor quality SS.. If you are going to use it, use high quality not the $4 stuff :) The real key is, as you said... replenish with oil what you extract out. My other 'issue' with SS is that it softens the leather too much, imo... with work boots I don't need them soft... i just need them to be durable.

Appreciate the support! Thanks!

Also, I have just bought a new pair of Wolverine boots. Guess I'll see if they are as good or better than my Georgia boots.

Thanks for the kind words! I'm no expert... but right out of the box you should be good to go. Redwing puts on a good dose of conditioner to start. I tend to work in extreme conditions... either SUPER dry sand or Texas mud.. What's worked for me is making sure I pull the insoles out everyday after work and making sure those boots are able to get as much air-flow to dry them out and prevent rot... Keep them conditioned as needed with Naturseal or whatever you prefer as the wet environment will pull out oils. Maybe some other folks can post a better answer?

Thanks for the comment! Hope the video helps!

I have heard alot of people recommend it - saying it is the top of line stuff. Will definitely look into it for sure. Thanks for the suggestion.

OH YEAH!

Not a problem. Love your channel and boots! Let us know if you would ever like to do some collaboration!

@@HeavyMetalLearning You bet! Just reached out to you via your website!

I bet they do! Thanks for the comment!

I stepped in some gas yesterday any tips ? They are red wing iron rangers

jcub78 that’s a good question, but not sure I know the answer. Maybe someone else will chime in. I would say that I would rinse them off and then apply saddle soap.

Oh yeah...we love em!

Thank you!

thanks! hope this helps! We have another video (newer) with some other cleaning techniques on our channel if you want to check that out

Thanks! Glad it helped. Check out the newest boot care video we did. (updated some of the best practices).

Thanks for the comment! Agree on the saddle soap!

Congratz on the new job! Do you know what type/style of Timberland's you have? Are they leather, suede leather, or another material? Timberland has a large variety of different styles and materials they use. Post below and let us know - myself or maybe some of our fans can help.

Thanks for the comment!

Doesn't coconut oil go rancid (heard that before)?

@@jamesbriangaultier3247 It can, but I was washing my boots with a little Dawn, warm water, and a scrub brush every month during the winter. Never had a chance to go rancid. But I’ve been using Obenauf’s Heavy Duty LP for the past year now. Definitely better than coconut oil.

Thanks for the comment! Not sure if I understand your question but I think you are asking about when should you clean them? Please correct me if I am wrong. I am no expert... but I clean them as needed depending on wear and tear. For what I do for a living once or once every other month works. Depending on your wear it could me more or less. I KNOW I need to condition them if the leather starts to look dried out... Don't let that happen or the leather will breakdown, then start to crack! Once that happens there is no going back... Hope that helps!

Sounds like you are hard on boots like me. I'm amazed to read stories of people having same pair for 20 years. I've tried doing the monthly cleaning and conditioning and it did not make a difference. Adding the Tough Toe helps. The only other thing that helped me is having two pairs. Rotate every day. Start rotation by buying used pair on eBay. I got same model redwings for $25 used. To see if your new ones last longer than a year. If yes then buy new pair and go from there. I've been tempted to get a custom pair of those 700-800 dollar boots but they look very heavy and really don't believe they will last a lifetime. When people say I should resolve mine, there's nothing left to put sole onto.

@@nathankisner8332 Yes im a carpenter and i have 3 pairs of boots. They get rotated out the end of the day if there is concrete, plaster or lots of mudd on it. Yea its a pain to clean and let it fully dry and recondition... but swap them out for the next pair that is fresh and ready. I have Caterpillar, Wolverines and Georgia Boots that are in my current rotation... all bought on Craigslist by my daughter when she finds one my size. I have to say the Caterpiller boots are the most durable, but Georgia Boots are the most comfortable. Never thought Id be a connoisseur of steel toe boots. After this vid, i want a pair or Redwings now.

Yes...that should work.

Thanks for the idea. I had never heard of Fluid Film. I might do a test with it in the future to compare to traditional oils.

Fluid film really? That’s what I use on the motor of my jet ski to keep salt off

it will.. to an extent. Best way to get scuffs out of good work leather is a stiff bristled brush and/or an eraser (or a magic eraser works too). I have a brush/eraser combo built into 1 tool. Got it from Fleet Farm store in their shoe care section... I am sure a big box retailer would have one too. Hope that helps.

Scuffed toes/heels? There's a coating that protects against that. I just smear epoxy on the toes/heel. Avoid flex points. Sprinkle sand on wet epoxy. Make yer boots more abrasive than your work environment.

Just mink oil

That's the million $ question! Depends on your wear and tear. In my line of work.. I do a total strip down like this 2? times a year. Otherwise I do the standard, saddle on, wipe off immediately, condition method once a month or so. Basically as soon as I see the boot drying out (faded color) I know I need to clean. I have another, newer video on the channel that walk through this better with my Ariat wedge soles... if you want to check that out.

i had to scroll through the comments to see who caught that reference. hahaha

you can....you can also moisturize your skin with motor oil. Do I recommend it??? NO

Agreed...thanks for the comment!

You can buy it directly from Redwing's website. I bought mine from one of their stores. Obenhauf's makes a similar product that I have been using this year instead. You can learn about it in the newer shoe care video on this channel.

Good question! Depends on the type of boot and quality of material. If they are new Redwings for example... they come pre-oiled/conditioned so there is no need. If they are some offbrand that have been sitting on a shelf or warehouse for who knows how long... then they absolutely might need it ASAP! A quick way to tell on oiled leather, is push a finger from the inside, somewhere around the side around the ankle area and see if the leather pushed out changes color.... If it does that is a good sign that the oil is fine.. no change means it needs oil/conditioning. I am MORE concerned with softening the leather TOO MUCH...so I prefer to just break my boots in gradually. 1) start with a pair of heavy socks and wear the boots around the house for as long as you can stand it... STOP before blisters. 2) Then wear them to start you day but bring your old boots to swap once your feet hurt. 3) slowly wear the new boots more and more until they are broke in. Hope my novel helps! LOL!

Thank you, The boots are www.thebootoutlet.com/product/timberland-hightower-waterproof/ I will use them for some industrial work. Dealing with powder, lots of dust and some water.

PS. These boots have some parts made of suede. ^^

@@user-er3ul6oh8u Thanks for the info. You shouldn't have to condition them prior to your 1st day. 1) they look to have a waterproof liner. So water shouldn't be an issue at the start. 2) BUT Make sure you are breaking them in prior to the 1st day... 3) If they are super tight/tough you can apply a conditioner or oil... that will help loosen up the leather faster. You can do some research but I like Redwing's Natureseal oil (from the video) or recently I have been using Obenauf's HD LP or their oil. For cheaper conditioner.. I have had folks recommend Lexol Leather cleaner/Conditioner but I have not personally used it. Please let me know if that helps.

Good eye! Yes, they are basically the same EXCEPT the 2414's are insulated. You should be good to go. Thanks!

@@HeavyMetalLearning thanks for replying 👍🏾

Interesting....thanks for the comment!

Hi mate, I am not sure.... as I do not know the safety specifications you are required to have nor have I ever been a mechanic. I am assuming you need steel/composite toe and oil/slip resistant? I would look at a wedge sole boot for comfort... but that is just my opinion. Maybe some folks in the comments can help?

Man i always had a problem that seemed like trans fluid just DEMOLISHED the leather on my boots

100% agree. I was thinking about doing a vid about when/why/how to get them resoled.

I bought a pair of those a week ago

Depends on your wear and tear. In my line of work.. I do a total strip down like this 2? times a year. Otherwise I do the standard, saddle on, wipe off immediately, condition method once a month or so. Basically as soon as I see the boot drying out (faded color) I know I need to clean. I have another, newer video on the channel that walk through this better with my Ariat wedge soles... if you want to check that out.

Every 30 minutes.

Thanks! Appreciate it!

Good point...thanks for the comment!

Leather tanned with silicone is the closest your gonna get to water proof leather

Close! this is the good ole' dollar store Dawn knockoff!

@@HeavyMetalLearning no shit? Fooled me lol. Either way thanks for this video man.

No, these are not safety toe. The 2412 (insulated) or 2414 are the comparable version with a safety toe imo...

Good to hear mate! It's all about learning. I made a newer video this year using different product and techniques on this channel. Check it out as well. It is an OLD brush I think from Target in the housewares section? Not sure though.. I would check your local dollar store. Now go get some oil/conditioner on your boots! :)

HI Yarlin. The Red Wing boot in the video is a Red Wing 914.

de nada

just because you work in the dirt doesn't mean you don't take care of your boots....right???

You don't wipe properly, huh?

Yup! You need to clean the leather so it opens the pores back up so they can breath. So far so good, I am at about 1YR of medium use on these boots using this technique - no issues (except they need to be resoled)

Ask anyone that cleans horse saddles. Many will use Dawn, and inform you that even tho soap is in the name of saddle soap. It's purpose is different.

I bet, you are putting them to the test! How are they holding up?

@@HeavyMetalLearning really good! I just got the tuff toe for it. Wish I did it when they were new. Next time I will. Most comfortable boot I ever owned!

@@BrouilletteLuke true... i don't know anyone that regrets tufftoe. Same thing for me.

a little trick I learned after making this video. Agreed!

Use permacord.

@@dystopiaisutopia paracord

@@donhorak9417 permafrostcord

Awesome...we love our Red Wings!

AMAZING movie!

OMG! Send me the red wine stains on suede boots link! I totally need that. I was at a showing last week in NY highlighting 19th century blind Croatian colored pencil landscape artists and someone had the GALL to bring red wine for the event AND spilled some on my leopard skin suede riding boots.

@@HeavyMetalLearning funny. I had you figured as an Interpretive Dance enthusiast.

Agreed. Maybe we can add those next time.

Thanks for the suggestion!

Yah... now you know better right? I'm no sneaker expert but tennis shoe leather is no where near the thickness or quality of a good work boot leather. So any harsh detergent will sap the oils out very quickly. You absolutely need to re-condition them after cleaning i bet!

That's kinda my take on it. Same concept... you just have to introduce conditioner/oils back into the leather.

Thanks for the comment. I didn't clarify here but true there is no such thing as waterproof leather. These have a gortex waterproof membrane. Any oil/wax will make the leather more water resistant.

true! dry them thoroughly!

I love my la tie da job!

Thank you for commenting. I was doing a full strip cleaning with the understanding of adding back in multiple applications of conditioner (oil in this case) to replenish the loss of natural oils and the effects of the detergent. I do this only when necessary. My normal cleaning and conditioning is to use saddlesoap to brush on... then immediate wipe off with a rag. Finish up with Obenhauf's LP, conditioner, or oil. I have another, newer video on this channel walking through this process.

@@tulkom78 Good video. And have a great Thanksgiving. Boot maintenance is a pain in the ass. I spit shine mine after cleaning the old way and heat up the polish. I am anal. Be safe!

Thanks for the comment!

We love our Red Wings! But thanks for your comment and feedback.

Keep buying cheap Chinese crap then. You should be ashamed!!!!!

itin4265 Dude, a large number of Red Wing’s boots are not only made in the USA, but use leather from cattle raised, harvested, and tanned in the USA.

My RedWings are not China. I like them.

@@layer8man ^-- this. My 914's are USA made. Haven't had a chance to wear thorogoods yet. Maybe that will be the next pair.

buy a GREAT bed and GREAT boots. You'll spend literally most of your life in either!! :)