Have you ever gone hiking on a rainy day only to end up with soggy leather boots? It’s a familiar feeling; I have had some of the worst experiences as an outdoor enthusiast. Like everyone else, I dislike the sound of wet leather boots squelching against the floor.
What’s more annoying is that excess moisture can cause the leather to wrinkle and discolor, keeping it brittle and weakening the stitches. Impressively, there are several ways to dry and clean leather boots without ruining these exquisite fashion pieces.
I have come up with a few simple steps on how to dry wet leather boots to help folks restore their special footwear to its former glory. So, read on to learn how to dry wet leather shoes without damaging them.
5 Effective Methods for Drying Wet Leather Boots
Protecting your leather shoes from moisture is no easy feat. You could put in all your best efforts only to find yourself caught up in bad weather or discover your pet has tipped a glass of water over your favorite leather boot.
Don’t freight; it will take more than a few splashes to ruin those boots you pair with leather pants. However, you would have to treat this as a serious concern and employ effective methods to keep your footwear in pristine condition.
Be sure to follow these techniques on “how to dry” wet hiking boots and similar foot wears.
01. Drying Towels
You can mop up excess water from your leather footwear with a drying cloth. This method comes in handy for your wet leather boots following a puddle splash – all you need is a couple of absorbent rags or towels.
Here’s how to dry leather boots with a towel.
- Start by dabbing off the excess liquid from the boots; I’ll advise you not to scrub to prevent your boot from peeling. Also, get rid of any residual stains or dirt on the surface of the boots. Depending on how soaked the boots are, you may need to repeat the procedure several times.
- Next, remove the insoles from the leather boots and loosen the straps and laces. Unlike leather, these items could absorb excess moisture and delay drying.
- Now, stuff the leather boots with a towel or any suitable absorbent sheet. Ensure that the fabric gets to the edges of the boot and covers the insides appropriately.
- If the towel is big enough, cover the outside of the boot with the remaining fabric. If it isn’t, use another towel to cover the boot.
- Replace the towels every hour until the boots are completely dry.
I often keep a set of clean, dry towels aside for this purpose. This way, I can avoid damaging/staining the footwear with dirt and other harsh substances.
02. Air Drying
If you are thinking of an easy way out on how to dry wet cowboy boots without