Timberland boots were originally developed for adventurers who work in harsh environments, so they are built to be extremely durable.
However, even though they are sturdy, dirt will inevitably accumulate even if you wear them for everyday use around town.
Scratches and wrinkles are attractive as a result of aging, but excessive dirt can ruin the otherwise cool look.
In this article, I would like to introduce the process from cleaning to aftercare using a pair of heavily soiled Timberland shoes, as well as the necessary items.
"I don't know how to get rid of the stains..."
If you are one of those people, please use this article as a reference and try maintaining your Timberland.
Timberland Construction Materials
- Upper: Natural leather (nubuck)
- Sole: Natural rubber
Timberland boots are primarily constructed from the materials listed above.
Nubuck, which is what most boots are made of, is a particularly delicate material because it is brushed .
The brushed feel that comes with new shoes will disappear as you wear them, and because they are made of natural leather, drying can lead to cracks and other problems, so regular maintenance is essential if you want to maintain their beautiful appearance.
Cleaning Procedure
There are six steps to cleaning your Timberland:
- Remove the shoelaces
- Inserting shoe trees
- Brush off surface dirt
- For stubborn stains, use the black eraser
- Cleaning with foam
- Wipe off the foam with a towel after washing.
Remove the shoelaces
Not only will it remove any dirt that has built up on the shoelaces, but leaving them off will also make it easier to reach areas such as the tongue with a brush.
Inserting shoe trees
By using a shoe tree, you can remove creases from wearing and give the toe area firmness.
This is a surprisingly important process that makes it easier to maintain your shoes, as the brush will be able to reach deeper into the wrinkles, so be sure to use shoe trees that fit your shoes properly.
Brush off surface dirt
First, without applying any liquid to the brush, brush the entire boot to remove any dust or other dirt on the surface.
This not only increases the efficiency of the foam cleaning that will be done later, but also reduces the amount of foam used, making it an important process that increases efficiency and is economical.
The time to stop is when the stain no longer changes.
For stubborn stains, use the black eraser
Brushed materials such as nubuck are particularly susceptible to dirt getting caught between the fine fibers, and it can be difficult to remove all the dirt even by brushing with foam.
For stubborn stains that are easily visible to the naked eye, try dealing with them first with an eraser designed for sneakers.
You can easily remove dirt by using KicksWrap's Utility Eraser for brushed materials in black.
Cleaning with cleaning foam
This is where the real cleaning begins.
Use cleaning foam to remove dirt from your boots.
Timberland is made of nubuck material, By using ``Form Cleaner Premium'', which contains moisturizing ingredients and is included in the Premium Shoe Care Kit , we prevent the nubuck from drying out during cleaning.
You can either apply the foam directly to the boot or place it on a brush.
Clean the shoes in the order of upper, then sole.
Be sure to clean areas where parts overlap thoroughly, as this is where dirt tends to accumulate.
Wipe off the foam with a towel after washing.
Residual detergent ingredients can cause chemical reactions and lead to problems such as yellowing .
It is important to thoroughly wipe off the foam with a highly absorbent towel.
Allow the upper part to dry thoroughly
The upper of the Timberland is made of nubuck, which is highly absorbent.
Although we did not wet it directly with water this time, the moisture from the foam cleaner should leave the surface feeling moist overall after cleaning.
Storing it while wet can damage the material, so be sure to dry it thoroughly in a well-ventilated, shady area .
* Drying in direct sunlight is not recommended as it will cause the material to deteriorate.
Washing removed shoelaces
Finally, clean the shoelaces that you removed earlier.
The best way to wash shoelaces is to rub them with a cleaning solution.
It causes minimal damage and can easily remove dirt that has penetrated deep into the fibers.
Please refer to the instructions below for how to make the cleaning solution.
- Pour water into a small container
- Dissolve foam cleaner in water (approximately 3 to 4 pumps)
Aftercare Procedures
If you just want to make it nice, cleaning alone will suffice, but because Timberland is made from a delicate material called nubuck, we recommend some aftercare to restore it to like-new condition.
Moisturizes delicate brushed fabric
In addition to deterioration over time, after cleaning the leather will be in a dry state as the nutrients and moisture have been removed.
To replenish lost nutrients and moisture, Use Shoe Moisture Mist to restore the nap.
It's easy to use,
- Shake the Shoe Moisture Mist well.
- Spray from about 15cm away from the boots.
- Tap with a towel to blend in
The above steps are complete.
Brass brush to restore the original brushed feel
Once you have moisturized with Shoe Moisture Mist, the next step is to Use the brass brush from the Utility Brush to smooth out the nap.
This will wake up the nap that has flattened out, and give it back the same nap as when it was new.
+ α Replace the insoles to prevent your boots from getting sweaty
Timberland boots are not very breathable, and the inside of the shoe tends to get steamy.
If you find your insoles become sweaty and uncomfortable when wearing them, you should consider replacing them during your maintenance.
For those people like those mentioned above, we recommend KicksWrap's Air Insole.
The Air Insole is not only extremely cushioned thanks to its EVA material, but also has excellent breathability thanks to its porous structure.
This maintenance is also explained in a video on YouTube.
If you want to see the whole process, be sure to check out the video.
List of items used to clean Timberland
Here is a list of the KicksWrap products used for this Timberland maintenance work.
Items used for cleaning
Items used for aftercare
How to wash Timberland shoes FAQ
Do I need to use waterproof spray on my Timberlands?
To keep it in good condition, it is best to apply a waterproof spray.
Timberland's nubuck material has a simple water repellent function.
However, the water-repellent effect is only when the product is new, and will disappear over time and with cleaning. (It is easy to tell that the nubuck is wet when cleaning.)
Therefore, we recommend regularly spraying the surface with a waterproof spray when cleaning, as this will not only restore the water-repellent effect but also prevent dirt from sticking due to its stain-resistant properties.
Can I wash my Timberlands?
Since Timberland is a leather product, it is not advisable to wash it by thoroughly soaking it in water.
As with other leather products, this can not only cause the leather to shrink and wrinkle, but it can also lead to deterioration of the urethane and adhesives used in the soles.
Washing them once won't immediately destroy them, but it will definitely damage the material, so cleaning with a shoe cleaner is essential.
