Dr. Martens, also commonly known as Docs and Doc Martens, is a leather footwear brand with a very distinctive look. The brand, which is now known for its yellow stitching, cushioned sole and strong durability, was actually founded during the second world war, and its first pair of shoes was made by a German doctor who injured himself while on a ski trip. Dr. shoes and boots. Martens are generally made of leather, although vegan versions are now available. So these shoes require special care to maintain the quality of the leather. Fortunately, the Docs cleaning and polishing process is quite simple; If cared for regularly, shoes and boots can last for years.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Cleaning Dr. Martens
Step 1. Clean the sole of the shoe
Fill a small bucket or bowl with warm water and a few drops of liquid or dish soap. Prepare a dishwasher brush to clean dirt, oil, mud, and anything that your shoes have ever stepped on.
Wipe the sole with a damp cloth when finished
Step 2. Remove the shoelaces
If the shoelaces are removed, cleaning will be easier and the laces can be washed as well. Rub the shoelaces in soapy water, and scrub if they get dirty. Rinse with clean tap water, shake well, and hang to dry.
Step 3. Brush off the dust and dirt
Get an old shoe brush or nail brush ready to wipe dry dust and mud off your Docs shoes. You should also reach hard-to-reach areas, such as at the seams or inside the tongue.
If you don't have a shoe or nail brush, prepare a clean, damp, lint-free cloth to remove dust and dirt
Step 4. Treat scuffs and polish
If your Docs shoes have scuffs or polish deposits, clean them with a non-acetone nail polish remover. Dab nail polish remover onto a rag or non-lint, then gently rub over scuffs and polish deposits until they're gone and clean.
- When you're done, rub the shoes with a damp, clean cloth and let them air dry.
- Do not use harsh nail polish remover so as not to damage the surface of the skin.
Step 5. Condition the skin
Since shoes are made from living skin, you need to moisturize and condition them (like human skin) to prevent dryness, cracking, and reduced durability. Wipe the Docs with a cloth or sponge to massage the conditioner into the skin, and make sure you reach hard-to-reach areas. After that, let stand for 20 minutes to dry. Here are some conditioners commonly used in shoes:
- Lemon essential oil (not olive oil, which can cause oil breakdown).
- Mink oil.
- Wonder Balsam, which is a product made by Dr. Martens containing coconut oil, beeswax and lanolin, designed to protect the ingredients from water and salt.
- While saddle soap is often recommended as a shoe conditioner, the alkaline ingredients in it can dry out, crack, and break down leather faster.
Part 2 of 3: Shine Dr. Martens
Step 1. Find the right polish
To polish the leather, you need to adjust the color of the polish and the leather until they are as similar as possible. Choose a neutral polish if you can't find one that matches the color of the shoe, or if the shoe has multiple colors.
Dr. Martens recommends using wax-based polish, and only on delicate leather products
Step 2. Spread out the newsprint
Choose a place that can be soiled in case of unwanted things, and protect it with plastic, newspaper, or other covering.
Step 3. Apply polish
Take a rag or lint-free cloth and run the polish over the cloth in a circular motion to warm the wax so that the polish is easier to apply. Apply the polish to the entire surface of the shoe with gentle but firm pressure so that the polish enters the pores of the leather. If necessary, use a cotton ball or a soft-bristled toothbrush to polish hard-to-reach areas.
- If the shoes are old and have never been polished, it's a good idea to apply another coat of polish.
- When finished, let the shoes rest for 10-20 minutes.
Step 4. Rub the skin
Use a shoe brush to gently scrub and polish the leather so that the polish is pushed further into the shoe and removes any residue. If you want a mirror-like shine, the process is a bit more in-depth.
- Dip your finger in a bowl of clean water and drop a few drops onto the spot on the shoe.
- Dip a cloth in shoe polish and wipe the spots on the shoe in a circular motion. Work in small areas at a time, while dripping water and rubbing the polish onto the skin with a cloth.
- Usually the entire shoe or boot is finished polishing within two hours. Pay attention to the leather shoes that look more smooth.
Step 5. Shine the bot
When you're done scrubbing your Docs with a brush or mirror shine technique, wipe the cloth with a clean nylon cloth to remove any excess dust and polish, and add shine to the leather.
Step 6. Repeat every three months
Clean and condition Docs every three months so the shoes last as long as possible. To keep Docs looking new, always polish your shoes after washing and conditioning.
Part 3 of 3: Getting Rid of Stubborn Stains on Dr. Martens
Step 1. Get rid of the gum
Use a scraper, spoon, or credit card to remove as much gum as possible. Take a hairdryer and heat the remaining gum until soft. Then, stick the tape on the gum, and pull it off. If necessary, reheat the gum with a hairdryer and repeat until the gum is completely clean.
After removing stubborn stains from the bot, continue with regular cleaning to remove any excess gum and cleaning product
Step 2. Remove paint from shoes
The best materials for removing paint from Dr. shoes. Martens are mineral spirits. Mineral spirit is a petroleum-based solvent that is effective in dissolving paint. This material is oil based so it is safe on the skin.
Prepare a clean cloth and dip it in mineral spirit. Scrub the paint area with a cloth, and add mineral spirit as needed. Continue scrubbing until the paint is dissolved and gone
Step 3. Clean the glue
For this project, you will need a penetrating oil such as WD-40. Apply oil to the glue and the small area surrounding the glue. Let sit until the glue softens, then scrape it off with a butter knife or plastic scraper. If necessary, repeat this step until the glue is gone. Wipe off any excess oil when the glue is clean.
Step 4. Remove the sticker residue
Use a scraper or credit card to scrape off as much of the sticky substance as possible. Take a washcloth and dip it in acetone, nail polish remover, or even peanut butter. If the cleaner has been rubbed into the shoe, scrape it back with a scraper. Repeat as necessary.
Wipe the area with a clean damp cloth and let it cool
Tips
- If your shoes get wet, let them dry naturally.
- Condition the new Docs as soon as possible to soften the skin so it relaxes faster.
- If your shoes are brand new, don't use balm to condition them; just wear a water protectant as there is nothing to polish.
