How to Clean, Condition, and Waterproof Your Blundstone Boots

Blundstone makes comfortable, durable, casual leather boots, but knowing exactly how to care for yours can be tricky. As someone who owns the Blundstone 500 in smooth black leather and the 585 in brown nubuck, I’ve learned firsthand what each type needs.

Regular cleaning, conditioning, and waterproofing treatments help prevent cracking and significantly extend the life of your boots. With the right tools and products, you can easily protect your Blunnies from water, salt, and daily wear, while keeping the leather soft and supple.

So grab your boots, and let’s dive into how to care for smooth leather, suede, and nubuck Blundstones!

Why You Should Treat Your Blundstone Boots

Blundstone’s oily leather is resistant to wear and tear. However, even the best leather boots can be damaged if not properly cared for. 

One of the main reasons I treat my Blundstone boots is to maintain the oils in the leather. Leather can dry out and crack over time, which can make boots look worn and unattractive — and more importantly, it makes them more likely to be damaged.

Another important reason I treat my Blundstone boots is to protect them from water and other harsh elements. Leather is a natural material that can be damaged by water and salt, which can cause the leather to dry out and crack. That’s why tanneries add oils to leather during the tanning process; it makes them more water resistant and prevents cracking.

I want my boots to look their best, so regular cleaning, conditioning, and waterproofing will help to protect them from the elements and keep them in top condition for many years to come, extending the life of my boots, saving money in the long run.

How to Clean Your Blundstone Boots 

First up, you want to clean your Blundstones. These instructions are for Blundstones that aren’t suede or nubuck; instructions for those models are further down the article.

Cleaning your boots makes sure that you’re not trapping dirt underneath the conditioning and waterproofing products you’ll use to condition the leather to improve its longevity later on.

The video above is a great guide for when they’re really salty, but here’s what you’ll need for regular usage:

• Soft-bristled brush
• Leather cleaner
• Saddle soap (optional): For more intense stains that won’t come out with regular cleaning.
• Water
• Clean cloth

Suede and nubuck need different products, but the list above covers what you’ll need for Blundstone’s smooth leathers, whether it’s a mottled 585 or a smooth 550.

1. Bang your boots together

Get rid of the big chunks of dirt from your boots by banging them together. Have fun doing it.

2. Wipe away remaining dirt

Once you’ve removed the major dirt chunks, use an old shirt or a microfiber cloth to wipe away as much dust as you can. Cleaning off the dirt first ensures that you don’t trap dust in the pores of the leather with the conditioner.

I prefer to use a horsehair brush because it prevents grains of sand from scratching the leather when you apply conditioner.

3. Clean the sole

Use a damp cloth instead of applying water directly to the sole and other rubber parts of the boot. Don’t saturate the entire boot, or you’ll have to wait for it to dry before you condition it.

4. Clean the leather

Any leather cleaner will do, but we like Cobbler’s Choice Leather Cleaner because it’s inexpensive, it’s made with all-natural ingredients, the spray applicator makes the process easier, and it cleans more gently. Really harsh cleaners like Saddle Soap, which you’ll learn about in Step 6, can be risky.

Simply spray the cleaner onto the boot and scrub it in circular motions with a clean rag. If your leather cleaner doesn’t come with a spray nozzle, pour a small amount onto the rag and scrub. Wipe them down with a rag when you’re done.

5. Leave the boots to dry

Let the boots dry in a cool, dry area. How long you let them dry depends on how wet you got them during the cleaning process. It could be a few hours, it could be overnight.

Don’t apply direct heat, as that can cause the glue that holds the boot together to soften.

6. Use saddle soap (Optional)

This is for tough stains that just won’t come out. You can use saddle soap as a very strong astringent used to clean saddles.

We wrote a whole guide for how to use saddle soap on boots, but the short version is to dip a horsehair brush in water, rub it on the surface of the soap to create a lather, and work it into the boot one panel at a time. Scrub for 5 to 10 seconds in small, circular motions, then rub everything off with a dry rag.

If there’s still a stain, clean that spot a little more, maybe using your fingernail to push the soap into it deeply and then scratch the dirt away.

Once all the stains are out, lather the panel again to even out the color, then wipe it all off with a wet paper towel or cloth.

Wait until the next day for the boot to dry out, and you can start conditioning.

How to Condition Blundstone Boots

Now that your boots are clean, you want to condition them. This is basically moisturizing skin, just like you do your face, in order to improve its longevity and elasticity and to prevent cracking down the line.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Leather conditioner: I like Otter Wax’s Leather Oil because it quickly penetrates the leather and keeps it flexible and supple. It’s also what’s recommended by Schott for their leather jackets. I also like Bick 4 because it doesn’t darken the leather. It doesn’t penetrate as deeply into the leather as Otter Wax, so it’s not as great at waterproofing, but it will keep your leather healthy and maintain the color. 
• A clean rag or horsehair brush. This is to apply the conditioner and to buff the boots afterward.

Once you’ve chosen a leather conditioner, it’s time to apply it to your boots. It’s super simple.

1. Squeeze a quarter-sized dollop of conditioner on each boot

The more you use it, the more likely the leather is to darken. That’s not a big deal, and honestly, you should expect some color change. It’ll lighten in the coming weeks, but remember your boots are darker because they’re more moist. It’s a sign the leather is healthier. 

2. Spread the conditioner evenly across the surface

You’ll hear people say you should use a rag, but you can just use your hands, here. Be sure to condition the seams, which experience extra stress.

3. Leave the conditioner on the boot for about 10 minutes

I like to let the conditioner settle into the pores of the leather.

4. Use a cloth or horsehair brush to buff the leather

I like to buff the leather to bring out its shine.

Start by swiping vigorously; the idea is to heat the conditioner a bit to help it liquefy, spread more evenly, and drop a little deeper into the leather. 

If the leather feels greasy, wipe it down with another clean cloth to remove any excess conditioner. If you feel that the boots could benefit from another coat of conditioner, feel free to repeat it — if your Blundstones have had years of wear and no conditioning at all, this might be a good idea.

You can now wear your boots and go on with your day… or if you want even more protection, you can take the final step of waterproofing the leather.

A Guide to Waterproofing Your Blundstone Boots

There are pros and cons to waterproofing your boots.

Pro: the leather will be easier to keep clean because you’ll have made a barrier on its surface that repels stains and water.

Con: The leather won’t breathe as well in the heat, and it’ll be harder to condition in the future because waterproofing spray typically stays where it is. That’s a comfort to a lot of guys: it’ll stay waterproof for a long time.

Now, if you’ve used Otter Wax’s Leather Oil to condition, you’ll have conferred a decent amount of waterproofness to your boots already. That product both conditions and beefs up water resistance thanks to its wax content.

But if you’ve used a lighter conditioner like Bick 4, or if you want to really maximize your waterproofness, make your choice of the two products below.

Which Products Are Best for Waterproofing Blundstones?

Here’s where you consider different methods of waterproofing.

Popular products like Scotchgard contain silicone, making it very effective, but it blocks the pores of the leather.

On the other hand, a product like Otter Wax’s Boot Wax coats the leather with all-natural, hydrophobic ingredients, beeswax, and lanolin. This will darken the leather more than Scotchgard and may not be quite as effective, but it’s still very effective and is better for the leather long-term. 

How to Waterproof Your Blundstone Boots

Here are some steps you can take to waterproof your Blundstone boots:

1. Clean your boots

Before you waterproof your boots, it is important to clean them thoroughly per the instructions earlier in this article. Remember to wait an hour or so for the boots to dry before moving on to the next step.

2. Condition the leather

Before applying your waterproof barrier, you want to condition the leather to keep it healthy and moisturized, as it’ll be a long time before oils and waxes can make their way into the leather once it’s been waterproofed.

3. Apply waterproofing spray or wax

Once the boots are clean and conditioned, you can apply a waterproofing spray or wax to protect them from water and other harsh elements. If you’re using an aerosol spray like Scotchgard, hold the boot a few inches away and spray in short bursts in a swiping motion to make sure it’s applied evenly.

If using something like Otter Wax’s Boot Wax, you can simply wipe a small amount on your palms, rub your hands together to warm it up and liquefy it, then wipe it on the boot! 

4. Allow the boots to dry

After applying the waterproofing spray or wax, allow the boots to dry completely at room temperature.

How to Clean and Condition Suede and Nubuck Blundstone Boots

For suede or nubuck Blundstones, you’ll want some different products. As these leathers aren’t smooth, and you’re instead contending with slightly rough or nappy fibers, regular creams won’t work the same way. 

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Suede brush or eraser
• Suede cleaner: I like Otter Wax’s Suede Cleaner or Saphir Omninettoyant.
• Saphir Renovateur
• Suede Protector: I like Saphir’s Invulner or Tarragon Nanospray

Once you’ve got all your tools ready, here’s how to go about it. 

1. Brush off dirt and debris

Use the suede brush, which is stiffer than regular horsehair brushes, to remove any dirt or debris from the surface of your boots. 

2. Rub the suede eraser on stains

If your suede or nubuck has stains, you can use the suede eraser (or a white pencil eraser) to rub away the stain gently. Be sure to test the eraser on an inconspicuous area of the boot first to make sure it doesn’t damage the suede. Yep, it works just like a pencil eraser.

3. Apply the suede cleaner

If your boots are particularly dirty and you’re having trouble lifting stains with the eraser alone, you can use a cleaner specifically designed for use on suede. (Again, we recommend Otter Wax’s Suede Cleaner or Saphir Omninettoyant.)

Simply shake, dispense the cleaner onto a cloth, and apply it in a circular motion. Wait an hour for the boots to dry before the last step.

4. Condition your boots

After cleaning, you want to condition your boots with the Saphir Renovateur. Hold the boot a few inches away from the can and spray in short bursts, moving the spray across the boot as it leaves the canister to ensure an even coat that’s not too concentrated.

5. Let the boots dry at room temperature for an hour or more

Don’t put them near direct heat like a radiator or fire, also don’t put them in a dryer. If you use a blow drier, make sure it’s on the lowest setting.

Too high of heat will cause the glues to delaminate.

6. Protect your suede

To fortify your suede or nubuck against rain, salt, and snow, apply your Invulner or Nanospray in the same manner you applied the Renovateur spray: in short bursts, gliding along the leather to ensure even coverage.

After letting them rest for an hour, you’re ready to take your healthier, longer-lasting, and more weatherproof Blundstones out on new adventures.

[Further Reading: The Complete Guide to Cleaning Suede Boots]

Wrapping Up

If you want to keep your Blundstones looking and performing their best, regular cleaning, conditioning, and weatherproofing will help to protect your boots from the elements and keep them in top condition.

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure that your Blundstone boots will remain a reliable and stylish choice for footwear. Remember to choose products that are specially formulated for leather and suede.

With proper care, your Blundstones can be your first choice for years to come.

Do Blundstones need to be waterproofed?

Blundstone's leather is very water resistant when it's new, but after a season or two of wear, the leather will dry out. Apply a product like Otter Wax's Boot Wax to condition the leather and beef up the waterproofness when the leather's feeling dry and water no longer beads off of it.

What happens if you get Blundstones wet?

If your leather boots do become wet, allow them to dry naturally at room temperature. Do not expose them to an artificial heat source as can cause considerable damage to the leather and may lead to it becoming dry and brittle. Boots are meant to take punishment and you shouldn't worry too much about getting them wet, but you can enhance waterproofness with products like Otter Wax's Boot Wax.

Do Blundstones have a lifetime warranty?

All Blundstone products are fully guaranteed against defects in materials and workmanship. The warranty does not cover regular wear and tear.