Maintenance of leather boots is very essential, owing to the fact that leather is a very sensitive material.
Leather is very much prone to spots, scuffs, and scratches which can reduce the lifetime of the boots.
Scuff marks are produced on the boot when it is frequently rubbed against another surface. Scuff marks cause disfigurement of the leather and very undesirable.
On the bright side, they can easily be removed by a variety of methods. It is better if scuff marks are removed as soon as they appear.
Otherwise, it would be very difficult to get rid of them.
Scuff marks can be removed using professional products or by simple things available in most homes.
Removing Scuff Marks at Home
Some methods can be tried at home to remove scuff marks from leather boots.
These methods include using toothpaste, petroleum jelly, a variety of oils, vinegar, baking soda, super glue, eraser, and other stationery.
Some methods that can be tried at home to remove scuff marks from leather boots are given below. It is important to test the materials on a small part of the boot before proceeding to cover all the scuff marks.
Using toothpaste
Toothpaste can be used to remove scuff marks from the leather. Toothpaste has an abrasive property that can help in leveling the surface of the leather.
Toothpaste can be dabbed onto the scuff marks.
Then, the toothpaste can be scrubbed using a toothbrush by employing circular motions until the toothpaste foams up. Then, it can be wiped off and the boots can be dried.
Using nail polish remover
Nail polish remover can help in removing scuff marks.
A cotton ball can be taken and dampened with some amount of nail polish remover. Then, the cotton ball can be used to wipe the scuff marks off the leather.
Most nail polish removers contain acetone which is a powerful solvent and is generally used for removing scratches from a variety of surfaces.
However, too much acetone can result in heavy shoe damage.
Therefore, after removing the scuff marks, it is advisable to coat the leather with petroleum jelly or baby powder.
Other substitutes for a nail polish remover are rubbing alcohol and hand sanitizers, both which work in the same way as a nail polish remover does.
Using an eraser
The humble pencil eraser or gum eraser can be employed to erase dry scuff marks from the leather.
Prior to using the eraser, the boot must be brushed to remove any dirt trapped in the pores of the leather.
The eraser must be rubbed gently onto the leather surface until the marks disappear. Then, the rubber waste can be brushed off the boot’s surface.
Using white vinegar, olive oil, lavender oil or baby oil
White vinegar, olive oil, lavender oil or baby oil can be dabbed onto the leather surface of the boots using a cloth.
It can be rubbed onto the boots in a circular fashion.
Then, the boots must be left alone for 24 hours for the oil to seep into the leather. Due to this, the boots may undergo some slight swelling.
However, once the boots get swollen, the scuff marks disappear from the boot’s surface.
Using super glue
This method is particularly useful for scuff marks of a more severe nature.
The main materials used for this method are superglue, sandpaper, polish, and waste cloth.
Firstly, the marks (and only them) must be filled with super glue. Then, dab the boots with a waste cloth to remove any excess glue seeping out of the scratches.
After this, coat the scuff marks with a polish which is of the same color as the boots.
Now, the boot will only have fine lines in the place of the scratches. The glue would have stuck the open scratches, thus joining the gap.
Lastly, the sandpaper must be used to sand the scratches. Fine leather dust will be produced as a result. This dust will fill the fine lines, truly disguising the scuff marks.
Using baking soda
The materials required for this method are baking soda and waste cloth.
The cloth has to be moistened with water and then baking soda has to be sprinkled over it. Then, scrub the boot with the cloth and baking soda.
Lastly, the boot has to be wiped cleaned and buffed with a dry cloth.
Using petroleum jelly
A little amount of Vaseline or petroleum jelly can be taken on a cloth. The boot is then wiped with this cloth.
The mineral oil in the jelly will fill the scratches in. The jelly also moisturizes the boot.
Lastly, the boot has to be buffed with a dry cloth.
Disguising the scuff marks
As a last resort, permanent markers, crayons, pastels, etc. whose color match the colour of the leather can be taken and rubbed onto the scuff marks to disguise them.
Professional Methods
Some professional methods to get rid of scuff marks from leather boots is to use shoe-scuff products, shoe wipes, Magic Erasers, shoe polish and leather cream.
Using shoe-scuff products
Several shoe scuff products are available which can be used to cover scuffs up.
They are usually developed from wax and are tailored to clean boots up.
They can be sprayed or scrubbed onto the surface of the boots. Also, a shoe brush can be employed to give a good finish to the boots.
Using shoe wipes
Shoe wipes are customized wipes designed to clean shoes and boots and get rid of stains and scuff marks.
They offer an easy way to clean scuff marks while on-the-go.
Using shoe polish
Shoe polish can be used to cover up scuff marks.
Shoe polish of the right color can be taken and the boots can be buffed with it using a soft cloth. Shoe polish softens the scuff marks and nourishes the leather.
Using Magic Erasers
Magic erasers are melamine-based products that are used to remove stains and scuff marks. They are mildly abrasive in nature.
The Magic Eraser has to be wet and then scrubbed onto the boots until the scuff marks disappear.
Using Leather cream
Leather cream is also another product that can be rubbed onto the scuff marks on the leather to remove them.
The cream can be applied onto the leather using a cloth, rag or brush.
In the end…
Scuff marks are inevitable on leather shoes but if they are not very severe, there are several ways to take care of them.
Some of very easy and can be undertaken with items available at any household, while others may require you to buy cleaning products.