How to bring boots back to life

[Jonassen]

I just got these boots today for my uniform.

I would like to clean them up - but I am unsure how to do it.

I was think of giving them a light wash in some water with lanolinsoap - just to clean off the worst dirth. Then apply some shoepolish.

Any one got some ideas that I might use?

"Leave them alone" is not an option - Well, it is. I'm just not gonna do it

[Paul R.]

I would first recommend conducting a forum search on this topic. As a conservator I personally would brush off any dirt. A good old fashioned shoe brush works well then leave it alone.
On this site and others like it. You will hear people sing the glory of numerous leather conditioners, cleaners. Products like Picard’s, Tandy Leather lanolin, Freiberg saddle soap etc. They will sing the glory of 100 year old leather and turning it into 6 month old supple leather. That’s so far from the truth. (kind like the old snake oil salesman) I have used them all with no long term cure. Many times these products they are a short fix to a problem.
From the time that hides is taken off the animal it starts to oxidize when it is tanned all natural animal nutrients are gone. Adding any other chemical, or creams you actually choke off leathers ability to breathe. How that shoe was worn dirt, grime, human sweat, water. All play a part of the demise of the shoes fate. Again do your research for yourself on this site and the web. Then draw your own conclusions. Many times once a product is applied it’s almost impossible to remove.

[BryanD]

Clean them with saddle soap then let them dry and use a paste russet shoe polish and they will be fine.

[Bill M]

Whether you decide to go for a polish or not, for relatively gentle cleaning - saddle soap is the way to go.

A little oil rubbed in is good, too much is bad as it traps moisture and sets the leather to rot.

Polish and preservation wax will help prevent deterioration.

The thing about reconditioning leather is that it needs to be done from time to time but leather can last for a long long time.

They ain't high-end boots that you'd be afraid to ruin (cosmetically) - polishing them up will only do them good...