When it comes to boots, you get what you pay for. Avoid wearing your boots in wet weather if possible.Don't store your boots where the sunlight can reach them.On top of water protection, there are other steps you can take to keep your boots looking their best: Water protection is especially important because water can damage the membranes between scales. A protectant that is designed for snake skin (or at least for reptile skin) works best. You can do this by applying a stain protectant and/or water protectant product.īe sure to look for a non-silicone product. To keep your boots looking their best, you want to protect them from future damage. Rattlesnake skin tends to retain its natural sheen, so you can skip the polish. Polishing helps most snakeskin boots, but it's not necessary for rattlesnake boot care. Once you've chosen the right polish, apply it and buff gently with a very soft cloth. But it's safest to avoid colored polish altogether with snake skin boots. Some people advise that you can choose a colored polish that matches the color of your boots. In some cases, colored polish can react with the chemicals from the tanning process. You should also choose a polish that is natural, not colored. If possible, look for a polish that is labeled for snake skin. Wax polishes, like oil-based conditioners, can clog the pores and harm the boots. Polishing, though, is primarily done for a shiny appearance.įor snake skin, only use a cream polish. Step 3: PolishingĬleaning and conditioning your boots help them last longer. If you have older snakeskin boots and you aren't sure, it's best not to condition them. This will make the snake skin even drier and shorten the life of the boots. In these boots, the conditioner will block the leather from absorbing moisture in the air. Some older boots were made with a salt-tanning process. You may not want to condition older snake skin boots. There is one caveat to conditioning your boots. The same applies if your boots have leather soles. If this is the case, use a cowhide conditioner on the inside of your boot. Some snakeskin boots have the snake skin applied on top of cowhide. Make sure the conditioner reaches the sole line (where the snake skin meets the sole). The thin layers allow the conditioner to work its magic. Snake skin doesn't absorb conditioner well. When you're ready to condition, apply the conditioner in several thin layers. If the leather doesn't discolor or react poorly, it's safe to use the conditioner elsewhere. Apply the conditioner to a small and discreet area. Oil-based conditioners can clog the pores and make the snake skin drier.īefore you try a new conditioner, do a test spot. It should be lanolin-based, not oil-based.
There are many leather conditioners to choose from, but be sure to choose one labeled for snakeskin. Conditioning using a specific product to moisturize the leather and make it last. If you've cleaned your snake skin boots with a damp cloth, let them dry before you condition them. This can damage the membranes and shorten the life of your boots. Snake scales are waterproof, so any extra water falls into the membranes around them. Make sure the cloth is only slightly damp. If there is still some remaining dirt, you can rub the boots gently with a damp cloth. Be careful not to lift the scales in the process. Use this to detail the crevices between and around the scales. Stroke along the direction of the scales to keep them from lifting.Īfter using a soft cloth, grab a small, soft brush like a make-up brush. The first step in cleaning your snake skin boots is to rub gently with a dry cotton cloth. Even if you wear them rarely, clean your boots often. But as any frustrated homemaker knows, dust builds when boots are sitting unused, too. You should clean your boots after each wear. For this reason, you need to clean off the dust and debris often. Over time dirt and dust on snakeskin boots can degrade the leather. There are special considerations for each step, though, so read on to learn more. Snake skin boots need to be maintained with the same four steps as all leather boots: Basic Steps for Maintaining Snake Skin Boots
You need to follow a few essential steps to make them last.Ĭheck out our boot experts' helpful tips about how to take care of snakeskin boots. For a lifelong enthusiast or someone buying exotic boots for the first time, the advice is the same. But they're also investments because a great pair of boots can last for decades.Īll exotic leathers (any leather that doesn't come from mammals) need special care. Exotic leathers can carry a healthy price tag because they're rare and ornate pieces.
Read here for our guide on how to care for these boots to keep them looking good!īuying exotic leather boots isn't the same as strolling into Macy's and buying a pair. Do you want to increase the lifespan of your snake skin boots?