Cleaning and Conditioning Used Cowboy Boots

Whether you're bringing life back into a new to you pair or if you're looking to flip on eBay, here's my process for cleaning used cowboy boots!
Product list (Amazon affiliate links):
Saddle Soap: amzn.to/34QUB4T
Bick 4 Leather Conditioner: amzn.to/2QbINXH
Kiwi Black Shoe Polish: amzn.to/305hyTe
Horsehair Brush: amzn.to/2O3roxL
Fingernail Brush: amzn.to/2O5cUNQ
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About Jeremiah Craig
I love telling stories with my music and folk ballads are my passion. This is why I call myself a Balladeer. I’ve included many story elements in my songs since the beginning of my songwriting career in the Rochester, NY area. Then I continued my journey in Phoenix, Seattle, and currently in Boston. In 2004 I made my musical debut with the band Bluegrass Tuesday. In 2006 I formed an original rock/jazz jam band, Jack Swift, who in 2009, went on the “You Don’t Know Jack Tour Spectacular” across five states. I started my solo career in 2011 with my first full-length album, Gardener Hands. I have released 6 albums and several singles and I continue to document my music with video content and I also recently started making videos about cowboy boots!
Listen to my recordings and check out upcoming shows to get a better sense of me as a singer/songwriter.
#CowboyBoots #WesternBoots #BootCare

[@ameza357]

I recommend using painters tape over the white stitches to prevent stains.

[@jeffmetaldemonz]

I like that you’re using KIWI shoe products from my home country New Zealand (other side and bottom of the world) nice one

[@JeremiahCraig]

I really want to visit sometime it looks like a beautiful place!

[@jeffmetaldemonz]

You won’t regret it, it really is, pretty much all the natural wonders that exist, all within a few hours drive from each other

[@stevejordan9567]

I just picked up a pair of Lucchese’s that have never been worn outside from Craigslist for 100 bucks. They are awesome!!!!

[@ashleyjones7548]

I love how thorough and straight forward you are. You would be good in so many fields for instructional videos. Thankyou so much for your care and time

[@JeremiahCraig]

Thanks Ashely!

[@robinusher5707]

My method for boots worth rescuing is: scrub with mink oil and a small amount of warm water; remove excess and let stand for 30 minutes; pack tightly with a last or newspaper; warm with a heat gun or hairdrier (the latter is gentler); rub mink oil all over the upper with fingertips, massaging it in; let the boot stand overnight; heat again to melt the oil and wipe away excess; let cool; buff with rougher texture microfibre cloth; apply polish as in the video, but use a slightly damp cloth; let stand; use brushes to shine; work the shine with microfibre cloths ranging down the scale to the finest; let stand overnight and then remove the last or packing and make sure to WEAR THEM regularly. This has turned leathers which had turned into cardboard back to soft hide. It need only be done twice yearly, with monthly light buffings, especially for stuff like Wesco engineer boots that have a very thick hide. It's not suitable for plated leathers which I'd avoid anyway.

[@edge4006]

I bought 2 pairs of Lucchese's 1883 on Facebook market place, one for $40 and the other for $60 with plenty of life left in them, just needed some TLC.

[@JeremiahCraig]

Nice! Great finds!

[@teresaaverett8824]

What conditioner did you use

[@tooliewho]

I just picked up a pair of 1883 for £30 and just polishing them made a huge difference

[@annannmare157]

Great video!! Thank u for taking the time to demonstrate!! Ur a great Instructor. Grat looking g boots to from Craig's list 👍

[@saxman7131]

I enjoy this process with new to me boots. Seeing them come back to life and reveal their beauty is very cool. I want to learn how to patina/color and burnish the soles. 1) brush off dust or dirt 2) saddle soap Cleaning and towel wipe off 3) little more brushing 4) condition and brush 5) polish and brush and rag finish.

[@NMLogue]

Thanks for the process. Yes, I am OCD, but I don’t get why people would use the brush they use for the initial brushing for anything else. There are little bits of grit that can scratch the hide if they use it for cleaning w/soap or conditioner. If you ever can’t get the welt completely clean, a mixture of Dawn, fresh lemon juice and warm water applied with an art paintbrush works like magic. I use my finger to rub it in. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then wipe/rinse off with a strip of those reusable bamboo “paper” towels and pat dry.

[@Drifter5.7]

Good job on those old boots! catching up on your older videos.

[@TheMidnightModder]

I like using a shave brush for saddle soap because it fits in the saddle soap can easier. With the long brush it seems like every time you use it the soap would get on the outside of the can.

[@JeremiahCraig]

Makes sense to me! I gotta add that to my kit

[@metroid496]

Great video!!! Thank you for the proper steps! Keep it up!

[@JeremiahCraig]

No probs! Will do 👍

[@dennishart3478]

Them boots are awesome... and loving your song 😊

[@JeremiahCraig]

Thanks Dennis!!

[@turtlewolfpack6061]

Saddle soap (if needed), Neetsfoot Oil and Mink Oil. The Neetsfoot works really well to bring really old dried out boots back to life. Same treatment as the saddle I had to recondition before I ever learned to ride.

[@JeremiahCraig]

Love it. Great process I'll have to try Neetsfoot. Thanks!

[@gabrielmendoza5077]

Very good advice! Thank you!

[@JeremiahCraig]

You're welcome Gabriel!

[@timbuk1126]

Very nice. Love those boots!

[@JeremiahCraig]

Thanks I lucked out!

[@edge4006]

You can find some larger better quality horse hair brushes on amazon, one light for conditioner, and one black for buffing out colored waxes and creams. I also recommend getting some round applicator brushes or a shaving brush for applying saddle soap, re-purpose older tooth brushes for tight spots, using those large brushes for applying saddle soap is going to cause the bristles to warp. I like the channel, just some suggestions, keep rocking it!!

[@smackdadious]

those are some nice looking boots, love the Justin brand. i use everything except saddle soap, probably will pick that up in the future. wait hol up, 25 bucks for those, you are extremely lucky

[@petersilecchio4417]

Hi! Great Video! The only kind of Polish I Use is a Black Cream Polish not a Hard Wax Polish. Adds Conditioning and Keeps the Leather Softer. I use the Bick 4 Conditioner on all my Boots. Very Safe Product contains No Bees Wax. Thanks for This Helpful Video.

[@JeremiahCraig]

Nice I like it! Good process. Thanks for watching

[@kerryparsons4815]

Craig, thanks so much for this channel. Your videos are great. And thanks for this one about the cleaning and conditioning of smooth cowhide. Do you have a video for the cleaning and conditioning of rough-out and suede? Thanks. What's your favorite brand? I love me some Luccheses, but I'm also partial to Justin. You talk a lot about your Boulets. I've never owned a pair, but from what you say I feel I should add a pair of those to my collection. What are your thoughts on Durango? Thanks, Craig. I sure do look forward to your reply. I love "Old Boots Have Soul" by the way. Keep up the great work! Talk soon, Kerry

[@robertrivera9162]

Maybe to protect the parts that you don't want to get shoe polish on you can apply painters tape

[@thomashanan1996]

Excellent video... How about edge and heel conditioning/touch up? Thanks for all your hard work in making us these videos...

[@JeremiahCraig]

Thanks for watching Thomas! I will do that sometimes. Condition yes but I'll polish too when they need it. These didn't because they are still practically new

[@noelybarra1769]

I use about same process, I just finish with edge dressing for the sole leather.

[@JeremiahCraig]

Smart move!

[@EatMyPropwash]

For an ultra high shine, mink oil is good stuff.

[@axltherottweiler6025]

Hey Jeremiah, What kind of edge dressing would you recommend? That’s one thing I haven’t done. I use Leather Honey to condition them. It waterproofs and works very well overall in a wet humid area (Houston). Thanks for your videos. Love em…

[@edge4006]

I would not use KIWI wax on any boots or nice shoes, i recommend Lincoln for wax products and Fiebing's saddle soap.

[@tonylinardi3089]

Nice boots!!

[@JeremiahCraig]

Thanks Tony!

[@williammandel9378]

Should we avoid using saddle soap on the shaft? Also, how do you clean the inside of the boot, especially a used pair?

[@nateyoung6331]

Love the video

[@JeremiahCraig]

Thanks!!

[@jbanuelos7388]

👌🏻perfecto!

[@davemitchell1323]

rock on brother .

[@JeremiahCraig]

Right back at ya Dave

[@Blazers13dalax5150]

Now I want you to shine my boots for me you seem so chill to be around it would be awesome to talk to you and get a nice shine on my boots

[@JeremiahCraig]

Yeah buddy! I'm pretty chill but I rarely shine other people's boots haha. I got my hands full as it is!!!

[@Blazers13dalax5150]

Jeremiah Craig ah well I’d pay you nicely to shine my boots just once because of who you are and the conversation

[@zac.bolin01]

Should you take out the trees and shapers while cleaning and conditioning?

[@smackdadious]

i just use a sock for buffing the polish

[@oldman975]

I use a neutral polish and leave it on for 10-15 minutes to make sure it dries. Then I use a brush then a soft cloth. As for a conditioner,I’ll use one if I’m not going to polish as I always thought the polish also conditions the leather. Am I wrong about that?

[@nateyoung6331]

Can you show us your process for say, ostrich? And in my early years of military I had to polish boots. We also used a lighter on the kiwi polish.

[@JeremiahCraig]

I cover what I do for exotics in this video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKurXn2Njq1lmJY. I feature caimans but same process

[@nateyoung6331]

@@JeremiahCraig thank you

[@christinamuller1741]

Hey J, Where do you get your boots re-sole?

[@makeupbymarlene3366]

Is the blue towel wet when you clean the boots or dry ?

[@seanbailey8545]

Does the upper part of the boot(the Turquoise part) not get dirty enough to need to be cleaned?.

[@konacopia]

You don't want polish that have silicone ingredients in them either because it deteriorates the leather over time. Use wax polish minimally because the wax can build up and clog the pores as well, hence why cream polish is preferred because it has adequate pigment but won't clog the pores of the leather no matter how often you apply it.

[@geofschwer1625]

Great video. I'm curious about brushing. What is the exact reason for brushing a boot after conditioning or polishing?

[@JeremiahCraig]

Shines the leather

[@ntahanid]

Thanks for the video! What do you use to clean and condition the shaft of the boot, esp. the shafts with more decorative flourishes?

[@JeremiahCraig]

I would use the saddle soap and brush on fancy top stitching just like I did on the welt stitching to bring that brightness back out. I would just be careful not to scrub too hard so I wouldn't damage the stitching. Then condition with something like Bick4 that won't cause discoloration. I would not do any of this on a boot with distressed, suede, roughout or exotic leather shaft. Hope this helps!

[@ntahanid]

Jeremiah , thank you!

[@FitnessCEO23]

Enjoy the videos what do you suggest on anti slip socks when wearing boots? Or is there such a thing

[@JeremiahCraig]

Not that I know of but you could put a thin insole in there to make it a bit tighter so you won't slip around as much.

[@FitnessCEO23]

Sorry should have been more clear that’s my bad what I meant by slip was through out the day I’m having to keep pulling my socks up so my boot won’t rub a blister or rub the side of my leg but the socks won’t stay up and i didn’t know if there was a type of sock that at least limited itself from doing that. What’s weird is even though I’m having to keep pulling up both socks the left leg left side tends to rub the boot more than the right leg does it’s like I barely notice when the right sock needs pulled up but I know exactly when the left sock needs to be pulled up because it’s becomes uncomfortable to walk

[@demonicdreams1365]

I tried this method and it works, and my booys look great

[@18wheelerham]

Is there any difference with oil tanned I have a pair of Eldorado oil tanned ropers

[@JeremiahCraig]

Yes I talk a little about that with Carla in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnrIaa1oiqaamJY

[@stevenwalls4510]

Do you ever use mink oil? If so what are yours thoughts on it

[@JeremiahCraig]

I have and it works but it can darken leather. It wouldn't matter on black boots but I like to have a product I can use on many different types of colors and leathers just so I don't have to have a bunch of stuff haha

[@kylereeck6727]

What is the name of those boots?

[@zac.bolin01]

How do you clean the insides? You don't want someone else's foot fungus.

[@Luis-wk5fl]

What’s your process for suede boots ?

[@biged3ff149]

Hey man, can u do a vid on exotics?

[@JeremiahCraig]

I actually talked about that this week on one of my quarantine live streams! kzbin.info/www/bejne/gIjPeKpmiNeGeqc

[@chirpchirp8011]

What is the best conditioner for distressed leather? What brand? Too much information out there and I trust your opinion.

[@conversationsindesign1]

Jeremiah when you buy used boots how do you clean/disinfect the inside of the boot? Hope youre doing well, take care

[@JeremiahCraig]

Leather has some good natural qualities and I usually get used boots that haven't been worn much and have all leather insides. I'd be more concerned about cloth lined boots carrying bacteria and whatnot. Still if you wanted to ensure a disinfected inside, I would do a light lysol wipe on the leather inside then condition the leather inside afterwards. Chemicals like that can crack leathers so you have to be careful. I wouldn't be interested in buying a cloth lined used boot in most cases because of the increased possibility of bacteria and who knows what else in the fibers of that fabric

[@flynnmalin]

How would you, specifically, clean, condition, and shine heavily embroidered boots?

[@JeremiahCraig]

Brush any dirt and dust off gently so you don't ruin the stitching and condition with Bick 4. If they are really dirty, I would use saddle soap before conditioning to help clean up the stitching but careful not to brush it too hard

[@flynnmalin]

@@JeremiahCraig Thanks for answering, in a very timely manner. I appreciate the advice.

[@wesragnar5372]

Have you ever got a size to tight like ariat and broke them in

[@JeremiahCraig]

Yes but it is not enjoyable. They eventually do break in though

[@jesusrangel251]

Nice

[@JeremiahCraig]

Thanks Jesus!

[@jesusrangel251]

Jeremiah Do you have any method to clean the exotic boots skin of the caiman??

[@JeremiahCraig]

Yep! I wipe them down with a clean rag then I use scout exotic cleaner. Then I buff it out

[@JeremiahCraig]

I do it in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKurXn2Njq1lmJY

[@congamonty]

No conditioner on the shafts?

[@JeremiahCraig]

Sometimes I will. Not always though. They just don't see as much wear so I don't give them as much attention. That's just me though

[@coleman2586]

Hitting the wax with a hair dryer for a few seconds gives a mirror finish.

[@gttone323]

You can use bleach on a tooth brush and carefully go around the stitching and just go over it with a clean brush with water and it will completely whiten the stitching like new.

[@JeremiahCraig]

I'd be afraid of using bleach. It doesn't affect the leather any?

[@MercyMinister]

Bleach??? Never!

[@thekingleo_1664]

Can I clean my Ariat Sport Patriot boots with this method

[@JeremiahCraig]

Yep!

[@amiesemar8622]

If it's the tan sueded ones with the flag then no! There's a different cleaning process for suede 😬

[@razorseal]

Would this method work with my goat leather boots?

[@JeremiahCraig]

Yes

[@razorseal]

@@JeremiahCraig thanks!

[@MiguelCamYT]

Would you still use saddle soap on other leathers like ostrich, caiman, python, shark, eel, or lizard and if you don’t use saddle soap would just a generic exotic boot cleaner and conditioner work.

[@JeremiahCraig]

No. I've used it on ostrich before and it was fine but ostrich is a tough exotic. Shark is too but I've never owned any myself to have an opportunity to try saddle soap on it. I would NOT use saddle soap on any reptile leathers at all. Usually on exotics I just wipe the boots clean as well as possible with a brush and a rag then use an exotic conditioner.

[@73runner400]

Mr. Craig, please stop using kiwi your nice boots. Please use a shoe cream like saphir instead. You won’t be disappointed.

[@JeremiahCraig]

I would love to! Please be sure to click on all of the ads in my videos so I can afford such an expensive product! 😉

[@MercyMinister]

@@JeremiahCraig, a quality shoe cream is not expensive. You are better off using a quality cream instead of the Kiwi. THis is true any time you clean and condition your boots.

[@grandcosmos2191]

Do I need saddlesoap? Some youtubers said they just brush off the dirt if it isnt so bad?

[@JeremiahCraig]

No you don’t need it. It can are things easier though. You won’t have to spend as much time brushing all the dirt off. Conditioner is the most important

[@grandcosmos2191]

@@JeremiahCraig 🙏🏻

[@1250keith]

Yes you do need to use some type of cleaner so you won't be shining boots or shoes with dirt in the leather by using a cleaner you will have a much better end product @@JeremiahCraig

[@robertrandin9568]

You are very brave in doing that on top of your wife's white couch she must trust you very much my wife would kill me I would probably be sleeping in the doghouse

[@JeremiahCraig]

Haha! The dog has more of a chance of staining that couch than I do 😂

[@andrewmilnamow9251]

Literally paid $220 at tractor supply the other day😂

[@IamEWoof]

So many jokers these days paying hundred for gross sneakers. Boots are where it’s at. So many great ones on eBay with excellent craftsmanship and materials.

[@gunnarrobert3473]

First

[@amistosophoto]

🤔 I call BS on the $25...

[@JeremiahCraig]

Ok still doesn't change the fact that I paid $25 for them. You can find deals like this on Craigslist too! Check it out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y2mrgIBji9KHd7c

[@jeffleblanc8850]

Ther the best boots he got other than the tops plus I like my boots a little taller makes me think ther were for a women with big feet the tops are gross

[@gunnarrobert3473]

You won’t heart this

[@kaizaki3637]

Random sh$t

[@stasiekspasiek7250]

Bro WTF, second hend boots ? Would you buy underwear to ? Somebody is sweting years in them and you gonna buy? Shocking

[@JeremiahCraig]

Haha they were barely worn but I like the comparison 😂

[@stasiekspasiek7250]

@@JeremiahCraig boots for me are like sox, underwear, tuthbrash etc, naver will buy second heand...

[@JeremiahCraig]

I respect that 👍

[@Debonair_Garage]

tuthbrash.

[@mr.smiley4263]

Fancy, real country boys just quick dry brush the boot knock off the dirt and a quick leather conditioner and you’re done .

[@JeremiahCraig]

Sure that works great for boots you intend to keep for yourself but these I flipped and sold online. They gotta look as good as possible. Everybody's got their own techniques no matter where they are from. I think it's cool. There's nothing wrong with shining a pair of boots whether you're from the country or the city

[@jiykhan]

Least informative Very clumsilly put together. Cud do with some edition on the fumbling

[@kaizaki3637]

Random sh$t