Although these distinctive yellow Timberland boots were originally created as a sturdy work shoe, they have now become very popular and are often used as daily shoes. Whether you wear them as work or fashion shoes, Timberland boots need to be kept clean to extend their life and maintain their bright yellow color. These shoes are made of nubuck leather so they require special care. Keep your Timberland boots looking new by doing regular stain removal and taking proper care of the leather.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Cleaning Minor Stains
Step 1. Remove small debris with a soft bristle brush
As a first step, do the cleaning of Timberland shoes by brushing them. Start at the top of the ankle and continue brushing the entire surface of the boot in a back and forth motion.
- This light cleaning can usually remove some of the small debris stuck to the shoe. If there are deep scuffs or the shoes are very dirty, remove as much debris as possible with a brush before moving on to other cleaning methods.
- You can clean Timberland bots with a clean, soft brush. However, the Timberland company actually sells kits specifically designed for cleaning Timberland shoes. You can also use a brush specially designed for cleaning nubuck or suede leather, which is usually called a "suede brush".
Step 2. Use an eraser to remove the blisters
You can use a regular pencil eraser, a suede eraser, or a Timberland bar cleaner to remove scuffs from the boot. Rub the eraser or bar cleaner lightly until the blisters are gone.
An eraser or bar cleaner will treat most common abrasions. Both are not very good at removing dirt or mud that has seeped and covered the entire shoe
Step 3. Brush the bot one more time
Once all the dirt on the boots has been removed, smooth the surface of the nubuck on the boots using a brush. The brush will also remove any eraser debris that may be left behind.
Move the brush lightly over the surface of the bot, making sure you do it in one direction. This is so that the surface of the leather looks uniform when you finish cleaning it
Step 4. Perform regular stain removal
Keep your Timberland shoes clean by cleaning them once a week. This is a very important action if you wear it every day because dirt and dust will continue to accumulate. With this weekly maintenance, you can keep your bot looking new and fresh for a long time.
Part 2 of 3: Thoroughly Cleaning Shoes
Step 1. Purchase a cleaning product and protective coating that fits the boots
Choose a product specifically designed for the leather in your shoes. Timberland boots are made of suede and plain leather. However, traditional Timberland bots are made of nubuck. You can usually use the same cleaner to clean nubuck and suede.
- Purchase a leather cleaning kit that matches the shoe's skin tone. Look at the packaging and make sure the cleaning product is suitable for removing the yellow leather from Timberland boots.
- If you're not sure what product to buy, go to a shoe repair service in your area and ask if they sell a product that fits your boots.
Step 2. Remove the shoelaces
Remove the two shoelaces and set them aside if they are still clean. If they get dirty, wash the laces by hand and let them dry before you put them back on the shoes.
- Wash the shoelaces using warm soapy water until all the dirt is gone. For a thorough cleaning, scrub the string with soap and then soak it in warm water. When they are clean, hang shoelaces outside to dry.
- Shoelaces can also be machine washed with other clothes. Remember, if the laces are very dirty, you will have to wash them separately from other clothes.
Step 3. Remove loose debris and dirt with a soft-bristled brush
Brush the boots using a brush to remove any dirt. Do it with light pressure so that the surface of the bot is not scratched. However, soft-bristled brushes are usually safe for bots. By removing as much dirt as possible at the start, you can reduce the amount of scrubbing that needs to be done later.
- Don't forget the bottom of the shoe. Shoe soles usually trap gravel and dirt which can be easily removed with a stiff brush before cleaning. If you don't remove it, chances are that your hands and home will be full of muddy dirt.
- A brush can work better than a rag because it can reach the nooks and crannies of your shoes. However, you have to be careful when using the brush on the leather. Stiff bristles can scratch the skin.
Step 4. Insert one hand into the bot
When cleaning, take care not to change the shape of the shoe. By sticking one hand into the shoe, you can apply opposing pressure to the area being cleaned so that the surface of the shoe doesn't warp when rubbed.
You can also use your hands to push out the wrinkles and creases you want to remove. When you push it up, the combination of the pressure you apply from under the shoe with the cleaning fluid can restore the shape of the skin in the area
Step 5. Scrub the soles with a toothbrush and mild dish soap
Rinse the rubber soles of Timberland boots with water, then use soap and a toothbrush to scrub them. Gently rub the dirt on the sole of the shoe. Rinse the sole with warm water to remove any remaining debris, then check your work.
You can also remove dirt on the sole of the shoe with a cotton swab. Dip a cotton swab in warm soapy water, then rub it along the grooves of the sole until all the dirt is gone
Step 6. Scrub the outside of the boot with water and cleaner
Scrub the outside of the boot using a cleaner, warm water, and a soft-bristled brush. Move the brush in one direction to keep the surface of the bot beautiful. Also, use light pressure when you clean the dirt on the surface of the shoes. Keep scrubbing, and apply more cleaner if necessary until the surface is clean.
- Make sure you follow the directions on the packaging of the cleaning product when you use it to clean stains.
- You can also use a soft toothbrush to do a thorough cleaning of all the seams of the boots.
Step 7. Clean the remaining stains with sandpaper
If there are still glaring stains that won't go away after you've cleaned them, you can scrub them off with fine sandpaper. With 400 grit sandpaper and light pressure, move the sandpaper in one direction, and stop sanding when the stain is gone.
This method is indeed quite complicated and should be done as a last resort. Don't sand too hard. However, this method can remove stubborn stains
Step 8. Rinse the surface of the shoe using a small amount of water
Once the dust and dirt has been removed, it is time to rinse the surface of the bot. Rinse off any remaining cleaner and dirt using a small amount of water.
Step 9. Perform a deep cleaning if necessary
How often this thorough cleaning should be done depends on the intensity of use or the severity of the dirt. In general, you should clean them thoroughly if your shoes are visibly dirty and cannot be cleaned by spot cleaning. If your boots are worn daily and they are very dirty, you may need to do a thorough weekly cleaning. If your shoes are relatively clean when worn, you may only need to clean them every 1 or 2 months.
Part 3 of 3: Dry and Shine Shoes
Step 1. Cover the bot with paper
If the boots become deformed after cleaning, you'll need to get them back in shape before they dry. The part that often changes shape after cleaning is the toe of the shoe. You can fix this by inserting a wad of paper into the boot so that the sinking part of the shoe returns to its original shape.
You can use newspaper, scrap paper, paper bags, or other paper to keep the boots in shape
Step 2. Let the bot dry for 24 hours
After you have applied the cleaning agent and removed the stain, allow the shoes to dry in warm air. This can take up to 24 hours, depending on how wet the shoes were when they were cleaned.
Do not place the bot near high heat, such as fire. The high heat can melt the glue in the boots, or damage the leather
Step 3. Shine the boots
If they have dried, the shoes may look strange. This happens because the surface of the nubuck leather becomes wrinkled and requires further care. Brush the surface of the shoe lightly in one direction using a clean, dry brush. This action makes the boots look normal again.
If your shoes are really wrinkled and you can't fix them by brushing, hold the boots close to the steam coming out of the kettle and scrub the surface with a toothbrush. The steam will dislodge the tangled leather fibers so you can scrub them straight, which will make them stand back up
Step 4. Apply conditioner or sealer (protective layer) on the shoes
Use a conditioner or sealer designed to protect the surface of a freshly cleaned bot. Follow the directions on the product packaging when using it. You can usually apply this product by dabbing a small amount on a clean cloth and wiping it all over the surface of the shoe.
