How To Wash Your Leather Boots In The Washing Machine

Can I wash my boots in the washing machine?

Of course you can but it sure better be the last resorts and after you tried the preferred leather cleaner methods to cleaning your boot.

Washing your leather boots in the washing machine is daring but should only be the last resort before throwing them away. 


Have you tried a professional leather cleaners? NIKWIX  has a leather cleaning gel you can use to clean your leather boot along with neutralizing the odor with an odor removing enzyme spray you can try before getting too hasty.

If after you've gone through this website and tried methods that are proven to restore your boot to a suitable condition you still feel you have no other recourse proceed to learning how to wash your leather boots in a washing machine.

How To Wash Your Boots In A Washing Machine

*No Suede

You can use a front or top loading washing machine. Place both boots besides each other in front loader and one on each side in top loader.

Step By Step Instructions To Washing Your Leather Boots In The Washing Machine

1. Take the shoestrings out of your boots before washing.
2. Use detergent and a wet tooth brush to remove stains.
3. Place boots in the washing machine together in a front washer and on opposite sides on a top. Toss in old towels to use as  buffers.loading washer.
4. Have your setting to "small load" on "cold or warm" water (never use hot) . Use a short wash cycle no more than 10 minutes; you don't want to break down the leather until it has no support.
5. Use a little less mild detergent for a small load or less. Too much detergent is not good.
6. When cycle completes you can waterproof your boots no or pack with small hand towels to absorb water, remove and allow boots to air dry in the sun. (Never put leather in the dryer!)

Warning: Don't use a longer cycle for your boots, this will cause the leather to continue to absorb the water breaking down the bonds and support becoming useless.
*You may want to sit on your washing machine to cut down on the turbulence it will go through in the wash or spin cycle.

My boots are stinky!!! 

No worries check out my post about "Removing Bad Odors From Stinky Boots".

What To Do After You Cleaned Your Boots

Now that your boot is thoroughly clean waste no time conditioning  to add nutrients, suppleness and flexibility assuring they don't crack from dryness adding a longer life to your boots. Dried out leather is what causes cracks and damage. 

Now that you know how to clean your old boots, when you buy your next pair it's best to practice prevention when  you buy any new pair of leather boots by conditioning and waterproofing before use.