We understand you love your boots, but you’re looking for a slightly darker pair. The good news is that making your boots darker is not only simple but also beneficial for the leather when you use the right materials and methods.
In this article, We’ll explain step-by-step how to make leather boots darker properly. You’ll find out which products to use, how to use them, and what changes you can expect in the leather after you’ve treated it.
What You’ll Need to Get Your Work Done
To make your leather boots darker, you should use a leather conditioner. The top choices we recommend for darkening leather are mink oil and neatsfoot oil.
Both mink oil and neatsfoot oil are fats from animals that soak into the leather and give it a nice color. Plus, When you use these oils, You’re also giving your leather an extra layer of protection against weather.
Lots of people use mink oil and neatsfoot oil to treat their leather and prevent it from cracking. It’s also an amazing product to have when you want to condition your other leather items.
Mink oil comes from the fur industry, but most common Mink Oils only have 10-20% mink. Some Brands mix mink oil with other fats, conditioners, and waxes to keep your boots safe from the weather.
Neatsfoot oil comes from the shins of cows and is a product of the beef industry. It soaks into your leather to shield and keep your boots in good condition.
If we have to pick between Mink Oil and Neatsfoot Oil for our boots, We recommend Mink Oil. Neatsfoot oil doesn’t have the extra waxes and conditioners that are found in many Mink Oil products. This is why Mink Oil is a better option for taking care of leather boots.
How to Make Leather Boots Darker Without Harming Them
Step 1: Remove any dirt with a brush to clean your boots
Before darkening your leather boots, take off the laces and remove dirt from your boots. Pay special attention to the area around the welt because mud can stick there. Use a soft microfiber towel or a brush made of horsehair. If you have both, use them together.
You need to clean away all dirt and dust from your boot. Because a tiny grain of sand can create a scratch on the leather when you’re making it darker, leaving a light mark on your boot. Usually, you can rub away the scratch, but it needs more effort, and you might not achieve a perfectly smooth fix.
Additionally, Dirt on the outside of your boots stops the oils from completely soaking into the leather. This can result in unequal treatment and boots can look dull.
Step 2: Use Mink Oil
In this Step, We’re using mink oil, but if you want to use neatsfoot oil, The process will be the same. If you want a vegan option, you can use coconut oil, just remember to warm it up before applying.
Put a small amount of mink oil on a soft cloth and spread it evenly on your boots by moving in circles. Apply some pressure to warm up the mink oil and make sure it goes deep into the leather.
You might need to get more mink oil for your boots to make sure it’s spread evenly. Once you put the oil on your boots, they’ll look shiny, and there might be extra oil on the outside of the boot. Use a soft cloth to wipe off the extra. No need to worry about polishing the leather right now.
Step 3: Use Mink Oil Again on Boot (Optional)
If you feel that your leather is dry and hasn’t had conditioner yet. You should put on another layer of mink oil. This will help the nourishing compounds to go deep into your boots and fix any problems caused by them being too dry.
Repeat Step 2 if you want your boots to be a bit darker or if your leather needs some extra care.
Step 4: Let Mink Oil Soak, and Rub with a Brush
Let the mink oil soak into your leather for 10-20 minutes. Then, take a HorseHair brush and rub the leather until it shines.
Make sure you focus on the tiny holes or bumps where oils can collect on your leather. Use a Horsehair Brush instead of a microfiber cloth to clean the tiny spots and make your leather look the same color.
What if I don’t want to make my leather boots too dark
If you feel that your boots are too dark, Then don’t worry! There are also other options. Lots of leather conditioners are available in the market, and some of them make leather a little bit darker. I like Venetian shoe cream, and I suggest you try it too.
Using mink oil makes your leather boots five or six shades darker. But if you use Venetian, it only makes them a bit darker, maybe two or three shades. Venetian is also great for keeping your leather soft and healthy.
By which Method we shouldn’t make shoes Darken?
When we were testing methods for this article. We found some ways to make your leather boots darker, but these methods can harm your boots for a long time.
◈ Don’t use olive oil on your boots to make them darker. Olive oil has less healthy fat and it can turn smelly soon. If you use olive oil, your boots might smell bad in a month or less.
◈ Don’t use canola oil on your leather items. Yes, it’s true that it will add some water resistance effect on your boot but it’s not as good as mink oil or other special products made for taking care of boots.
Conclusion
Making your leather boots darker is simple. It’s also good for your leather Boots!
If you want to give your leather a nice dark color, You can do it easily. Mink oil is not expensive, and it helps to make your leather darker, softer and protects your leather from the weather. If you don’t have it in your shoe care kit yet, we suggest to get it today.
If this article helped you make your leather boots darker. Please share it with your friends who also like boots. If we made any mistakes or wrote something wrong or not helpful, please tell us so we can fix it. Don’t forget to leave a comment on this article too.
FAQs
Should you use oil on new boots?
Using oil on your Leather Boots makes them look darker. If you bought a new boot and you like its color very much, then it’s best not to use oil on it. If you want to keep your leather boots safe from the weather and make them last longer, using oil on them is a good idea.
Can boot oil make the leather darker?
Boot oil makes the leather much darker. Some products, like Venetian shoe cream, don’t darken the leather too much.
Can olive oil make the leather darker?
Using olive oil on your leather can make it darker, but it’s not a good idea for conditioning. Olive oil has less saturated fat therefore it can spoil fast. If you use olive oil on your shoes, they will start to have a weird and sour smell in just two weeks.
Can you make leather shoes darker by staining them?
Yes, You can dye your leather shoes darker if you want. Using Mink Oil to naturally darken your leather boots is a way that is less expensive, simpler, and safer to do.
