Here, you will learn how to get scuffs out of leather boots.
Why is this so important?
One of the disadvantages of leather is that it scuffs, especially if you do not apply a reconditioning product.
However, that should not worry you. In our other article, we saw how to get deep and shallow scratches out of leather. In this one, you will see how to clear scuffs.
The good thing is that you can do this using some of the items that you already have at home. After you do it, you will agree that it is quite simple to give your shoes a new leash of life.
Stay here, see how to refresh and rejuvenate leather, simply, with simple home remedies.
How do you get scuff marks off leather boots?
Table of Contents
There is more than one way of doing this. Therefore, we might discuss a few methods that you can use here to get scuff out of your cowhide footwear.
But first, here are things that you might need:
- Petroleum jelly
- Leather conditioner
- Leather cleaner
- Old toothbrush
- Leather or pencil eraser
- Small towels/clean rags
First thing: Clean the shoes
Unless you clean your shoes, it will be pretty hard for you to see the extent of the damage. Therefore, clean them thoroughly.
As always, the first thing to do is to get rid of mud and other superficial dirt if there is any. Start by clapping the boots against each other especially if there is mud stuck on the upper or sole.
Once the dirt is out, take a piece of cloth, soak it, squeeze the excess water out and then wipe the upper of the boots thoroughly.
By now, you can see the scuff marks clearly. Let the shoes dry up. You can assist the drying process by rubbing them thoroughly with a dry piece of cloth or towel.
If there was not all the much dirt, brushing the shoes with a soft-bristled brush should suffice very well. You can then wipe them clean with a damp piece of cloth.
Method 1: Using a hairdryer to wipe away the scuffs
It seems that there is much more that you can do with a hairdryer than just use it on your hair. For example, you can use it to break in your boots.
In this instance, you can use it to remove scuffs in your shoes. It is a simple and efficient method and it should not take too much of your time.
The reason for using a hair dryer is to heat the leather to make it adaptable to your molding needs. However, you should note something very important here. Too much heat can break the leather fibers. Therefore, use moderate heat. By this, we mean you can test the heat level on your skin. If it is comfortable, it will be alright for the shoes.
Apply heat to the scuffed areas. Apply it consistently for about a minute, maybe less to make the shoes malleable.
Now, take a clean towel and wrap it around your fingers. Massage the scuffed area slowly to even out the leather marks. It is recommended that you massage the place in circular motion. This way, the scuff will vanish and leave the area looking well evened out.
When you establish that the scuff is done with, you should then apply a leather conditioner and you will see the transformation.
Method 2: Using petroleum jelly to remove scuffs
The shoes are all clean now. The scuffs are visible and they are not looking good. Roll up your sleeves and get down to business.
Petroleum jelly, yes, Vaseline is the unsung hero here. So innocent yet it can do quite a lot of your footwear. Once you have identified the scuffed areas, you just need to apply the jelly to the area with your finger in a circular motion.
Just apply it generously. You can also use a clean piece of cloth to apply the jelly. Some people just like to use an old toothbrush. Whatever works for you, use it.
Let the petroleum jelly stay on the spot for some time. You can then wipe it away with a clean piece of cloth. The scuffs will be gone. However, note that this method only works for the minor scratches and you should only use unscented and colorless jelly.
Method 3: Using storebought leather balm to fix your shoes
Now, sometimes the scuffs will not go away with petroleum jelly. You need to try something like leather balm. It is called a balm for a reason – because it gets into the scratches and seals them up!
You should use a leather cleaner on the area that you are working on. Ensure that the color of the balm that you are using is going to match with that of the shoes. You can then apply your balm and give it time to settle in. Please apply the balm in a circular motion.
After that, give it some time to dry up and then apply your leather conditioner to seal it in completely.
Method 4: Using a leather eraser to remove scuffs
This method is highly recommended for suede. However, it can still work on full grain leather. If the scuff has refused to go even after using petroleum jelly, it is time to escalate the solution to something more intense.
Take a leather eraser and rub it in circular motions over the mark. Of course, by the time that you start to do this, you have cleaned the shoes. We said this is the first thing to do, right?
Be gentle but firm with the eraser and keep checking to see when the mark is gone. You can then rub out the small particles with a piece of clean cloth or towel.
Conclusion
These methods are simple enough, as you have seen here. Therefore, you can see that how to get scuffs out of leather is so simple. Do not let the minor scratches develop to gouges in which case you would need leather filler. Fix them as soon as they start appearing.