Winter is closing in and as your feet get chillier it’s time to start thinking about your Emu boots. It’s tough to look fashionable with dirty attire so you will surely want to give them an overdue servicing.
The actual procedure to clean Emu boots is incredibly simple nonetheless you should be mindful of a couple of things. The material used on the outer layer of the boot varies by style. The lower end boots inclusive of the Bronte utilise a suede fabric, which can easily be cleaned using the techniques highlighted below.
Before you proceed with any cleaning always read the tags on the Emu boots. Varying materials demand very different cleaning techniques.
To reduce wear and tear you should always try to coat the surface of your boots with a waterproofing agent. These are available in a spray from nearly all shoe retailers and it will help to prevent water damage and stop marking.
Suede is an extremely fragile material and should never be placed in a washer. In the case of staining, putting your Emu boots in the washer is likely to discolor the fabric and ruin the suppleness of the fabric. You would be disappointed if you ruined your best loved footwear!
Rather than using the washing machine, a little amount of specialised cleaner can clean any spots from the suede surface. Emu Australia actually has cleaning kits, but any other kit will suffice. Any local shoe store should sell suede cleaner. If in doubt check with one of the employees. Emu Australia also offers a specialised cleaning kit. Before applying any product, clean away any big clumps of solid dirt. Ensure the upper layer is void of as much dry dirt as feasible by brushing it off. Utilizing a delicate suede brush with some suede cleaner and a little water, gently brush the surface of the boot. Gently brush the affected areas with a soft bristled brush and a combination of H2O and suede cleaner. It’s important to use some water because applying cleaner straight onto the material can create discoloring. Be certain not to leave out the water! Suede cleaner applied directly onto suede often causes spots of discoloring.
Once you have eliminated the spots, use a clean damp cloth and wipe the affected areas. After any smears have disappeared, wipe the surface of the boot with a damp cloth. This removes any remaining residue and ensures the boots come away good and clean. Any leftover residue will be removed and the boots will dry sparkling clean.
After all that you need to fill the interior of the boots with a little old paper. Before you sit the boots out to dry, stuff the interior with bits of paper. This will help to maintain the shape of the boot during the drying. In doing so the boot will keep it’s original form. Put them in a warm dry place with plenty of ventilation. Place the cleaned boots in a warm and well aired position. Take care not to place them in the sun or near a heater as this will contribute to discoloring or mis-shaping of the boot. Any exposure to excessive heat like sunlight or a heater can damage your boots so avoid this at all costs. Leave the boots for a few hours allowing them to fully dry out. Be sure to let the boots dry completely. This will take at least a few hours.
The last step before you can slip them on once more is to waterproof the material. As soon as they are dry they will almost be ready to wear. You only need to waterproof them. A gentle spraying with a waterproofing agent will aid in protecting them from harm when sporting your Emu boots outside in the wintry climate. The winter weather can be harsh to your Emu boots but a quick coating with a water repellent will make sure they are well protected all winter long.
Henry Desforges is a leading online fashion journalist with a passion for Emu boots. When not attending fashion shows or blogging about the latest trends he can be found researching and reviewing kids Emu boots.