We Asked a Shoe Expert How to Keep Your Boots in Perfect Condition

"Always use a non-silicone spray or rain/stain repellent as prevention, but if you do accidently stomp in a few puddles, gently wipe excess dirt or grime with a dry cloth then go over the spot again with a damp cloth. Always ensure you dry leather boots away from direct sunlight or heat (you don’t want your buttery-soft boots to turn dry and wrinkly). To bring them back to life, use a cream polish in the same colour and buff to shine. Stay away from silicone spray and liquid polish! (These aren’t your school shoes!)."

"Shiny patent leather is the easiest to keep looking fresh. If your boots get marked, use a damp cloth with some soap to remove marks and then polish with a silicone leather cleaner—and watch the high-gloss come back to life."

"Suede is trickier to clean than other leathers. Use a rubber eraser to remove dirt and smudges and then use a suede brush to lightly go over the area in the same direction (very important—if you go in different directions, the suede can appear as different colours).  Lastly, don’t ever use polish on suede."