Furry shoes and boots are some of the best gears you can consider during those chilly months such as fall and winter. While leather boots have long emerged as the best candidates, the emergence of Bearpaw boots seems to have beaten the leather boots in their own game.
But, unlike leather that demands less maintenance, Bearpaw boots are more demanding especially when it comes to removing grime, oils, and stubborn stains. Since most of you are clueless on how to clean and maintain these mainstream boots, this guide has dug deep into the world of Bearpaw boots to uncover vast information on how to clean and condition them.
So, here, we’re going to start by discussing 4 easy steps on how to clean these winter boots. Once we’re done, we’ll proceed to discuss how exactly you’re supposed to remove different types of stains from your Bearpaw boots.
But First, What are Bearpaw Boots and What are They Made of?
Bearpaw boots are part of winter footwear that are manufactured to keep your feet warm and comfortable during chilly months. The upper body of these boots consists of suede leather while the inner part consists of a sheepskin lining at the top and thick inner soles on the inside.
The outsoles of these boots are manufactured using soft rubber to offer good traction when walking in wet and snowy conditions. Although these boots handle the chilly winter quite well, cleaning them can be very challenging.
And why exactly? Because they’re made from suede. Since suede comes from the underside rather than the upper side of animal skin, this type of leather is usually thin, soft, and very tender making it very delicate to deal with.
Check out: How to Darken Leather Shoes?
7 Easy Steps to Clean Bearpaw Boots
And since most people are totally unaware of how to clean their suede Bearpaw boots, here are seven easy steps you can consider to clean your boots without ruining their former shine.
- Step One:
The first step of cleaning your Bearpaw boots is to brush them gently using a suede brush to remove any dirt, dust, and mud particles trapped on the surface. Combing the suede with a suede brush also helps to lift the small fibers making it easier to deep clean the boots.
- Step Two:
Next, pick a soft sponge and dampen it with water. Squeeze it to remove the excess water then use it to wipe the suede uppers of your boots. When wiping your boots, avoid soaking them in water or exposing them to running water as this can damage the sheepskin.
- Step Three:
Once you’re done wiping your boots, apply several drops of suede cleaner on the damp sponge and start wiping the suede uppers of your boots. Wipe in a gentle circular motion until each boot is entirely soaked.
- Step Four:
Now that your boots are entirely soaked with the soapy suede cleaner solution, rinse the sponge and start wiping the boots. Repeat this procedure several times to wipe off all the suede cleaner from your boots.
- Step Five:
With the suede uppers clean, it’s now time to clean the sheepskin lining. Since the sheepskin is soft and very delicate, you need to use a special sheepskin shampoo to wipe it clean. So, start by diluting the shampoo with water then use a non-abrasive sponge to wipe the sheepskin.
- Step Six:
Now that you’ve cleaned the suede uppers and the sheepskin lining, the next step of your cleaning process is to place the boots in a well-ventilated area to allow them to dry up naturally. To prevent the boots from losing their shape, stuff them with paper towels and old newspapers to help them maintain their shape.
- Step Seven:
To finalize the cleaning process, you’re going to coat the boots with a special stain and water repellent spray to protect them from dirt, dust, and mud.
What About Treating Specific Stains and Scuffs?
As you can see, Bearpaw boots are very easy to clean provided you follow the right process. And since we’ve discussed exactly how you’re supposed to clean and condition these boots, our next focus is to discuss exactly how you’re supposed to remove other stubborn stains and marks from the suede uppers and the sheepskin lining.
How to Remove Grease and Oil Stains?
Grease, oil, makeup, or any other oily substance can be quite challenging to clean especially if the stain gets on your suede uppers. Without the right knowledge, it’s easy to damage your boots as suede is very soft and delicate. Thankfully, there’s a simple procedure you can follow.
If the results are pleasing, then you’re good to go. However, if there are some noticeable oil spots, then you can consider repeating the process by adding more powder to the affected area.
How to Clean Ink Stains
In case you’re dealing with a dried ink stain, then the best method to employ here is by using rubbing alcohol. To do that, simply pick a dry cotton ball and soak it in a bowl of rubbing alcohol. Place the damp cotton ball or sponge on the affected area and leave it for a few minutes.
In case the ink stain is fresh, then you can consider scrubbing the suede uppers with a hard brush or fine-grit sandpaper.
Removing Wax or Chewing Gum
In the case of wax or chewing gum, you can consider placing your Bearpaw boots inside the freezer for a few hours. Here, you need to insert the boots inside a paper bag first before popping them inside the freezer. The purpose of doing this is to allow the wax or chewing gum to harden. Once it’s hard enough, you can either remove it by hand or use a suede or nail brush to chip it off.
Getting Rid of Salt Stains
Getting rid of a salt stain can be quite tricky if you’re not aware of how to do it. Although some people might opt to use a damp cloth to wipe off the salt stains, this method can cause light-colored marks to appear on your boots.
So, to avoid that, the best way is to use a home-based remedy such as white vinegar. Here, all you need is to mix one tablespoon of white vinegar with one cup of warm water. Dip a clean microfiber towel inside the bowl and use it to wipe off the salt stains from your boots.
Once you’ve wiped the salt-stained areas, dip the microfiber towel in clean water and wipe the other parts of the boots to make them evenly wet. Brush the suede uppers with a suede brush to lift the fibers and accelerate the drying process.
Removing Water Marks
If a little water gets on your Bearpaw boots, then it will leave a noticeable spot. To remove these spots, simply dampen a clean microfiber towel and use it to wipe your boots in a circular motion from the affected area.
Once the suede uppers are evenly wet, allow the boots to air dry naturally. In most cases, you can consider stuffing some old newspapers or paper towels inside the boots to help them maintain their shape.
Getting Rid of Scuff Marks
If your Bearpaw boots have noticeable scuff marks and dirt, then you don’t have to panic as there’s a clever way to remove them. First, you’ll have to remove any dirt from the surface using a sponge, a towel, or a suede brush.
When you’re done, apply a suede cleaner on the uppers of your boots and rub it gently on the stained areas. Once the boots are clean, rinse them gently then keep them in a well-ventilated area to dry up naturally.
Cleaning the Inside of Bearpaw Boots
The fluffy and furry characteristic of Bearpaw boots is essential in keeping your toes warm during chilly months. And since the interior is soft and very comfortable, most people are tempted to forgo their socks and instead wear these boots sockless.
The worst thing about this approach is that it makes the interior highly susceptible to smells and footwear odor. This mostly happens if you have sweaty feet. So, how do you clean the interior of your dear boots to remove these footwear odors?
The first step is to prepare a solution of disinfecting cleaner and warm water. Soak a cloth inside this solution and rinse it entirely. Insert the cloth inside the boots to clean the interior. Alternatively, you can use an anti-fungal spray to spray the inside of your boots.
In either way, allow the boots to dry naturally for around 24 hours. Next, sprinkle one tablespoon of baking soda inside your boots to remove the stinking odor. Allow the baking soda to sit for 24 hours before removing it. Lastly, wipe the interior of your boots with a clean dry cloth to remove the baking soda.
Also read: How to Dry Boots in Dryer (Overnight)
Conclusion
As you can see, Bearpaw boots are very demanding when it comes to cleaning them. Unlike leather, which only demands a simple polish using special oils and creams, the suede uppers of Bearpaw boots are very delicate and hence demand sophisticated ways to clean them.
Thankfully, this guide has discussed several methods you can consider to clean these fluffy boots without ruining the suede finish. So, in case you’ve been struggling to clean and condition your Bearpaw boots, then this guide has discussed everything you need to know.
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