A pair of high-quality leather boots should last for a lifetime if you care for them properly. However, sometimes it’s almost impossible to avoid scrapping them.
As a matter of fact, two years ago I bought a pair of leather boots which are extremely confortable and I can’t detach from them. It’s my favorite fall-winter footwear. But, after intense wearing, the toe side was scratched pretty badly and they look very worn and torn.
Honestly, I didn’t want to give up wearing them because my soft leather boots are still wornable and cozy so, I try to restore them.
Wondering how?
Well, the good news is, there are a few things you can do to fix scuff and scratches on your leather shoes without having to replace them or take them to a cobbler. However, the most appropriate treatment for your scraped leather boots depends on the severity of the damage.
For medium scratches
You need:
- Pure Lanolin cream
- Soft cloth
How to proceed:
First step is to rub the soft cloth into the lanolin cream and then apply it to the scraped area on your leather boots. Start buffing the scrapes in the direction of the raised edges not against them.
The second step is to watch if the leather turns darker because of the lanolin. If it does, you will have to apply the lanolin cream over the entire surface of your leather boots to blend it.
For deep scratches
I wasn’t confronted with deep scratches or severe scuff marks on my boots, but it may happen. The good news is that you can give your boots a nice at-home treatment without spending money on a cobbler.
- Remove any excess leather from around the scratch. If you have a lot of extra leather, you can cut away the excess pieces, or with minor leather, you can sand away with a fine grit sandpaper. Wipe the area clean once the excess leather has been removed
- Apply a shoe wax into the scratched area filling the hole. Look for a soft wax. If you can’t find a soft wax, you can melt the wax you have by putting it in a spoon and heating the bottom of the spoon or microwaving the wax until it is soft and easier to work with.
- The best way to apply is with your finger. Make sure that you work the wax into the hole and buff over the area to create a smooth surface. Some people prefer to burn away the excess wax, but buffing is a safer option if you are not comfortable with burning.
- Once the wax has dried, test the area to make sure that it doesn’t rub off.
- Take a leather maker and cover the area, especially the edges, so the repaired scratch looks seamless against the hole.
- Apply a layer of leather cream polish on top of the repair to keep consistency and look of the leather the same.
