Who does not want to own a pair of Timberland boots? The shiny nubuck leather material and the classy looking suede fabric make for an outstanding appearance. However, cleaning Timberland boots can be quite a hassle. You may not want to spoil a pair of Timberland boots while cleaning, especially after paying a heavy price for a classy pair.
This is why we decided to save you the extra bucks and come up with some cost-effective handy tips to maintain your Timberland boots. With regular cleaning, not only do they look exquisite, but it increases their lifespan a thousand folds.
If you are a Timberland fan, you do not want to miss reading our article below on cleaning and maintaining your favorite pair of Timberland boots.
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How to Clean Timberland Boots: Different Methods Explained
Timberland boots certainly don’t come cheap. They look very sturdy and protective but require proper cleaning and maintenance to make them last longer. Therefore, we have listed a set of easy-to-follow methods that you can implement to clean your timberland boots to perfection.
Cleaning Spots and Stains
Here is a list of items you will need for cleaning spots and stains from your timberland boots:
- A soft-bristled brush/suede brush
- A suede/shoe eraser
- Newspapers to lay on the floor
- A pair of gloves
How to Clean:
- Make sure to wear a pair of gloves to not encounter any dirt directly on your hands.
- Use a soft-bristled brush/suede brush to clean the dust and debris from your timberland boots.
- If the dust/dirt is not very stubborn, light brushing will work; else, you may have to scuff harder to remove the stubborn dirt.
- Now, for the stains and scuffs, you can use a shoe eraser or suede eraser to rub over the shoes’ surface gently.
- Make sure to lay a newspaper to protect the floor or surface while cleaning. Keep rubbing until you notice the spots getting lighter.
- Specific shoe erasers like Mr. Clean Magic Eraser are available to remove stains and scuff marks from shoes.
- You can spray some water over the stains or marks before rubbing them off with an eraser.
- If the stains refuse to go away, then you may need deep cleaning with a cleansing agent.
- Use the brush again to remove the leftovers after erasing the stains and smoothen the surface.
Pro Tip: For best results, follow the above procedures at least once a week. If you wear the shoes regularly, then the above cleaning method would help your boots last longer. It will prevent the build-up of dust and dirt on the surface that helps in long-term maintenance.
Deep Cleaning Your Timberland Boots
Timberland boots are available in 3 varieties, leather, nubuck, or suede fabric. Each of them has their characteristics and therefore require different methods of cleaning. Luckily, we have mentioned easy cleaning methods for all types of timberland shoes. Read on to know:
Cleaning Leather Timberland Boots
Leather timberland boots are relatively easy to clean as compared to Nubuck or Suede boots. Especially for primary colors like dark brown or black, you can use some easy to avail items for cleaning your shoes. While we always recommend using specialized kits for Timberland boots, we have mentioned the steps to clean leather timberland boots with household items.
Here is what you will need:
- Dishwasher soap or baking soda
- Vinegar
- A toothbrush
- Rag cloth
- Water
- A small petri dish or bowl
- Newspaper
- A pair of gloves
How to Clean:
- Wear a pair of gloves and lay a few sheets of newspaper in advance before you start your cleaning session.
- Make sure to remove the shoelaces and clean them separately if there are any with the shoes.
- Now, use the rag cloth and gently rub off the loose dirt and dust off the surface.
- Next, use a small bowl or dish and prepare a solution of baking soda with water. Prepare a 1:1 solution/paste. You can also use vinegar instead of water.
- Take a toothbrush, dip it in the paste and apply it gently on the dirty surfaces of your shoes.
- Move the brush in small circular motions over stains.
- Continue rubbing the brush until the stains start to lighten or fade away.
- Wipe the shoe off-dry using a rag cloth.
- Allow them to rest for a day before use.
Pro Tip: After cleaning and drying, you can always use a leather conditioner for your boots. Leather conditioners help in retaining the shine and maintain the surface of the boots.
Cleaning Nubuck and Suede Timberland Boots
There are specific nubuck and suede cleaners and sealers that are officially available from Timberland. The best part about them is that they are made specifically for the type of boots and would not cause any adverse reaction on your shoe while cleaning.
Here is a list of items you will need for cleaning Nubuck and Suede Timberland Boots:
- A pair of gloves
- Nubuck cleaner
- Soft Suede brush
- Mild dishwasher soap
- Sandpaper
- Water
How to Clean:
- First, wear a pair of gloves whenever you start cleaning your Timberland boots. Gloves help in avoiding direct contact with muddy gravel and dirt if they are stuck on your shoes.
- Remove the shoelaces before cleaning the boots and wash them separately if need be.
- Now, use a suede brush or soft-bristled brush and rub against the surface of the shoe. Make sure to clean every corner with the brush.
- You can also clean below the soles of the shoes. The soles gather the maximum amount of dirt, and hence you need to scrape them off too.
- Always place one of your hands inside the boots and apply pressure towards the outside while pressing against the surface of your shoes. This helps in retaining the shoes’ shape and gets rid of creases and wrinkles on shoes.
- Now, you can prepare a solution of dishwashing soap with water and rub it against the dirty areas of the shoe. This will specifically help in removing stains of any while also eliminating odor. Make sure to target under the soles as well.
- Next, use some nubuck cleaner, warm water and brush to clean the nubuck or suede surface of the boot. Stroke the brush in a single direction to avoid scratches.
- Do not apply too much pressure while cleaning with the brush, and use more nubuck cleaner for stubborn dirt.
- If you still don’t see the stains come off, you can use sandpaper. Gently scrub it in one direction until the stain disappears. Make sure the sand is not too coarse or hard on the shoe surface.
- Use water to remove the cleaner residues, if any.
- Allow the shoes to dry.
- To remove odor and germs from the shoes, you can also use an antibacterial spray to sanitize and store them.
Pro Tips:
- Always test the nubuck cleaner solution on a small area of the shoe before using it over the entire shoe to avoid any adverse reactions.
- Use mild detergents to clean the soles.
- While using sanitizing sprays, make sure to spray in small quantities not to cause shrinking or discoloration of the fabric.
Post-Cleaning Care for Your Timberland Boots
If you want your Timberland boots to look classy and buffed up, then post-cleaning care has to be a part of routine maintenance for your boots. Here is what you can do to maintain your Timberlands:
Maintain the shape:
This may sound tricky, but washing your boots with water can often make them look crumpy. Therefore, to maintain their shape, you need to stuff them up with newspapers while drying.
When they are wet, they are susceptible to change their shape based on the pressure applied in certain areas. Therefore, you need to stuff them in some newspaper to retain their shape and do not start crumpling or wrinkling while drying.
Air Dry the Boots:
Before you properly start using the boots after cleaning, allow them to dry out properly. It can at least take 24 hours for your boots to dry. By drying, we mean naturally drying at room temperature.
Do not use artificial heating methods like a heater, blow dryer, or fireplace to dry the boots. Excessive heat would only spoil the texture and the sealing of the boots.
You must also avoid direct exposure to sunlight to dry your boots. It can cause discoloration of your boots.
Buffing:
For nubuck and suede shoes, the surface of the boots may start looking matted and shrunken after they have been washed or cleansed. Therefore, you can revive these shoes’ surfaces again by stroking a gentle brush over their surface.
If the fabric still fails to revive back, then you can expose the shoes to a small amount of steam and then use a brush to restore and buff the material.
Condition/Seal the Boots:
Nubuck sealers or conditioners act as superb protecting agents for your boots. Once you are done cleaning and drying the boots, you can use a Timberland nubuck sealant or conditioner. Take a few drops on a damp rag cloth and apply it evenly over the surface of the shoe.
Make sure not to use both the products together. While conditioner gives your shoes a good shine, sealants make sure that your shoes are well protected and waterproof.
Tips to Remember while Cleaning Timberland Boots
Here are a few handy tips that you can consider while cleaning your Timberland boots and make sure not to spoil them:
- Do not apply too much pressure on the upper surface of the boots. This can spoil the texture and change the shape of the boots.
- Do not use highly acidic solutions on the surface of Timberland. Acid can adversely react with the shoe surface and cause discoloration.
- Use dryer sheets to maintain your shoes and take off any unrequired odor from them.
- Do not use a hard-bristled brush on Timberland, especially those made of nubuck. It can cause scratches on the surface.
- Try using the official cleaning and maintenance kit provided by Timberland for shoe care. These are made conducive to the shoe material. If you find none, then you take the boots to a professional for cleaning.
- Apply waterproofing solutions regularly over the Timberland boots if they are periodically exposed to water.
Takeaway
Timberland boots are very prominent as protective as well as stylish boots. They are not just used for workplaces anymore but also for casual outings. Made of classic quality Nubuck and Suede fabric, Timberland boots require thorough cleaning and maintenance to make them last longer.
Therefore, we decided to suggest some handy tips and tricks and explain different methods to clean your Timberland boots. We have it all listed for you, from using cleaning kits to finding home items to clean boots.
All you need to do is, read the steps above, gather the materials, and get started. Do not forget to tell us how clean your Timberlands look through the comments section below.
Happy Cleaning!!
William has hands-on experiences with construction sites, and the hazards employees face while working. He has been a dedicated worker since 1995 and is currently looked up to by many of his subordinates for the work he has done throughout his tenure. He has passed several certifications regarding safety at the workplace, including OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Silica in Construction Certificate, and the National Association of Safety Professionals Certification.
He has ample experience in woodwork and welding and understands the importance of a tough work boot in dangerous occupational environments. His achievements, experience, and knowledge allow him to be an expert in the field of work boots. He selects and tries all the products that he reviews and presents to his readers. As per him, the safety of the boot is beyond the beauty of it. He carefully scrutinizes each aspect of work boots, including flex, laces, length, breathability, strength, and more.
