How To Properly Clean Timberland Boots

Timberland boots are among the most iconic of all boots, and are one heck of a fantastic investment for any footwear collection. With any such an investment always comes a touch of caring responsibility – which can be a little daunting to a new Timberland owner – but once you know how to clean Timberlands properly, you'll be able to enjoy your boots for years and years to come.

Timberland boots typically come in suede and leather varieties, but the traditional Timberland boot comes in nubuck leather. We'll walk you through the basic steps for cleaning Timberland boots and provide plenty of guidance when it comes to caring for the different suede and leather types as we go along.

So, here's how to clean Timberland boots:

Cleaning Timberlands is incredibly easy. It's really just a case of removing any excess dirt, wiping clean, applying protective sprays and brushing your boots, all of which prolong their life and keep them looking box fresh.

What you'll need:

Waterproofing spray (Specific to your boot fabric – suede or leather)
Boot brush, suede brush or slightly rough towel
Shoe wipes (or a warm washcloth)
Cleaning spray or solution for your boot fabric (Timberland sell official ones)
Mild washing up liquid and a toothbrush

how to clean timberland boots step by step guide

Got everything? Simply follow these steps to clean your Timberland boots properly:

Step 1: Remove the laces

This ensures you can deep-clean the entire boot properly, without your laces getting in the way or getting soaked in cleaning solution.

Step 2: Brush away loose dirt

Use a boot brush to gently brush off any loose dirt or debris from the surface of your boots. This is a really important step, so you may want to do each boot twice to make sure you get all those little dusty bits off.

Step 3: Wipe your boots

Using your shoe wipes or a warm, slightly damp washcloth, gently wipe the entire outside surface of your boots to clean off any dirt left behind after the brushing stage.

Step 4: Apply boot cleaner

Take your boot cleaning spray or solution. You should have the right cleaner to suit your specific boot type. If your boots are made of suede or nubuck leather, you can use the same cleaner to treat either fabric; simply look for a cleaner labelled for suede and nubuck. If your boots are made of waxed, oiled or pebbled leather, you will need to look for specific leather-treating cleaning products to suit. If in doubt, always check the official Timberland website before applying any cleaning liquids to your boots.

Once you've got your correct Timberland cleaning solution, you can start the cleaning process. Place one hand inside your boot and simply apply a small amount using a sponge or the dedicated applicator on your product. Your cleaning product will come with application instructions, so check the label. You need your hand inside the boot to apply opposite pressure to the pressure you're placing on the outside of your boot, otherwise the cleaning process can accidentally reshape the softer parts of your boot structure.

Step 5: Wash the soles

If your Timberlands are only slightly dirty, you may want to skip this stage. However, if your boots are especially muddy or if you're doing a proper deep clean, it's worth giving the soles of your Timberlands a good wash too. Simply mix some warm water with a little drop of mild washing up liquid and use a toothbrush to scrub the soles, getting the head of the brush into all the nooks and crannies in the tread of the boot. Rinse with warm water and repeat if necessary until all of the dirt is gone.

Step 6: Rinse

Rinse off any remaining dirt and cleaner residue from the upper part of your boots by briefly rinsing under clean running water. Don't go overboard here; just a quick rinse will do.

Step 7: Dry your boots

To dry your boots, you first need to make sure they'll keep their shape during the drying process. Stuff the insides (particularly the toe area) with scrunched-up newspaper to keep the outer structure firmly in place. Then let your boots air dry naturally in a warm environment for at least 24 hours, or longer if necessary. Do not be tempted to place your boots near high heat sources like radiators or fireplaces, and don't use hair dryers or other heating implements as this can lead to cracking and damage of your suede, nubuck or leather.

Step 8: Buff your boots

Once your boots are completely dry, you may notice they still don't look quite right. This is because the soft suede or nubuck is likely to still be a little matted from the cleaning process, but it's nothing to worry about – this is what the buffing stage is for. Take a clean, dry suede brush and gently brush the surface of your Timberlands in one direction only. This will help the suede fibres lie straight again and return your boots to their normal appearance.

Step 9: Seal and waterproof your boots

Use your waterproofing solution to spray and seal your boots as per the instructions on the product. Typically you will need to apply these products to a soft, clean cloth and gently wipe it over the boot, making sure to follow the same single direction you used while buffing. As with the cleaning solution, you will be able to find waterproofing products to suit the specific fabric of your boots, and you will usually be able to use the same product on both suede and nubuck Timberlands – but do check this first!

See, we told you cleaning Timberlands was a breeze. We would recommend you follow these simple steps as often as you can (depending on how regularly you tend to wear your boots) to keep them from getting too 'worn'. Little-and-often is better than having to spend hours trying to reverse months worth of damage, after all. And now that you know how to clean Timberland boots like a pro, you can keep your Timberlands looking fresh, smooth and ready for anything for years to come.

Psst! Why not add to your collection while you're here? You can never have too many Timberlands, and our range is packed with all kinds of styles to choose from.