They say, wear your boots, wear your confidence. We assume that’s an understatement because boots are way beyond a statement accessory that boosts your confidence. It defines a lifestyle. Most of us have grown up watching and reading about men in rugs, cowboy hats, and leather boots conquering the world like no other! And, some of us have grown distinct fascinations of wearing and collecting leather boots for sure.
But have you ever noticed how taxing it is to condition your leather boots and preserve those favorite pairs of boots with their colors intact? Boot leathers are expensive, and it takes enough attention to retaining the vintage look and the authentic colors. So if you are looking to know how you can take care of your leather boots like darkening them without damaging, yet doing it naturally, you are at the right spot. Here, we’ll focus on how to darken leather boots from time to time and keep the sheen intact. Read on.
How to Darken Your Leather Boots Naturally
You either a roofer who walks on a metal roof all day long or a worker in a warehouse or even a lineman, most of us wear leather boots either for the sake of profession or hobby. But you need to take care of your boots. With the right tools and methods darkening boots is so easy and it’s good for conditioning the boot leather. The following steps will help you to darken your leather boots.
Apply Boot Grease to darken your boots
You can use boot grease or some sort of leather conditioner and brush them with a horse hair brush to darken your leather boots. But make sure to clean off the dirt first. It is one of the easiest methods to darken leather boots. It also helps to protect your leather boots from getting damaged, thus, increasing their longevity.
The material of your leather boot item is animal skin. So, applying the grease or conditioner helps them to rehydrate. The concept is similar to applying moisturizers or lotions to your skin. Basically, you are using creams to keep your skin cells hydrated. Thus, you are preventing dryness or other skin-related problems.
However, some people might not appreciate this darkening effect, especially if it’s their first pair and the color is not black. But this darkening effect is perfectly normal and great. It means the leather is healthy and hydrated and will run long. So, for your leather boot maintenance, use boot grease or lotions, and the existing color will automatically darken.
Use Boot Polishes without Sheen
You can also darken your leather boots with boot polishes. The process is less time-consuming and involves the usage of wax polish like Kiwi or other alternatives. However, you must avoid polishes that add extra sheen to the boots. The process darkens your boots while applying a coat of protective boot polish.
It creates an even layer on the surface of the leather. The concept is similar to painting your walls with even coats of colors. After you’ve completed the procedure, wipe off the excess polish with a piece of cloth. But be careful, and avoid rubbing too hard.
Sometimes, you might need multiple coats of polish to achieve the leather’s even surface; don’t worry, it’s normal. Remember, a matte finish is all you desire. Hence, avoid applying materials that add extra shine or gloss to your boots.
Use a Darker Shade of Boot Polish
Use a darker shade of boot polish to give your leather boots the desired darkening effect. Remember, choosing the shade of the boot polish in the context of the boot’s shade is essential. You can also perform a test by applying a darker shade of cream polish on the heels of your boot.
If you notice that the darker shade is appropriate and gives the right darkening effect, that’s your color! You have to select a similar shade of boot polish and apply it to the surface of the leather.
However, this process has its own limitations. If your leather boots are black or white-colored, the process won’t show desired results. If only you have a vintage brown pair, the magic works.
Wear Your Pair
Often, we avoid wearing boots on regular days in the fear of getting them damaged. But the truth is, if you have invested in a pair of leather boots, then why not wear them! The best way to keep your leather boots dark is to wear them at regular intervals.
You might have picked these boots for special occasions, and the purchase might have blown your wallet. But, putting them on shelves will do no good. Wearing and maintaining your boots will help them last longer.
If the leather of your boots gets naturally tanned, i.e., without any chemicals, it means your pair of boots are aging beautifully.
Conclusion
Leather boots really look cool, especially when the leather looks dark and maintained. Ultimately, regular maintenance will help you keep the leather healthy and hydrated. For darkening your leather boots further, just follow the points that we have mentioned above.