Getting dirt off your boots is easy. Just use a damp cloth and wipe the boot. Usually, it is best to not use any sort of harsh chemical cleaning compound because the chemicals can discolor the boot. Instead, just use plain old water.

Ingrained Dirt

If you haven't cleaned your boots in a while, using a damp cloth may not necessarily get all of the dirt off the boot, especially if the dirt has some clay in it. For tough dirt, apply some Saddle Oil to the boot. The oil greatly assists in helping get rid of ingrained dirt while applying a protective coat of oil over the boot.

Conditioner

Generally, it is always a good idea to apply a leather conditioner to the boot. The conditioner helps to prevent the boot from drying out and also helps keep the boot soft. If it has been a while since you've done this to a boot, more than one application may be necessary. Also, remember this rule - it is better to have two thin coats of conditioner than one thick coat.

Water Protector

As cowboy boots - at least good ones - are made of high quality leather, the boots are basically waterproof. However, from time to time you will want to apply some water protector to the boot to help keep water running off the boot instead of being absorbed into the leather. Also, most good quality leather conditioners provide for water repellency.

Polishing

While not strictly necessary, if you plan on going to a formal event, it is always nice to have a shiny pair of cowboy boots. To get your boots, even old ones, nice and shiny, use some Boot Cream Polish along with a Boot Shine Cloth .

Drying A Boot

One of the worst things you can do to a cowboy boot is to place it next to a high heat source to dry, like a wood stove or fireplace. Rather than torturing your boots, if you boots are wet, let them air dry of, better yet, place them in a boot dryer. Using a boot dryer is easy and efficient. Just set the dryer into the boot and turn it on. The dryer than simply blows up lukewarm air into the boot, which will dry the boot without ruining the leather.

HAT CARE

Storage

Store your hat upside down on its crown to help keep its shape. High heat can cause the sweatband on a cowboy hat to shrink. As the sweatband shrinks, this causes the hat itself to shrink, too. As such, a cowboy hat left exposed to high heat for extended periods may no longer fit. To avoid this, never leave your hat in a car or the trunk during warm weather or near other high heat sources. The best place to store your hat is in a hat box. If you wear your hat frequently you can store your hat on a hat rack.

Handling

Avoid handling your hat by the crown. If your hands are dirty or oily they will leave spots on the fabric. Always pick up your hat or put it on or take it off by the brim. Adjust your hat by holding the front and back of the brim.

Water

Straw and Wool Cowboy Hats may get wet without any problems. Just be sure to NOT dry them near a heat source. Instead, just let them dry naturally - preferrably hanging on a Hat Rack.  Felt cowboy Hats, however, are not designed to be used in wet weather. If a felt cowboy hat does get wet, flip the sweatband outward and set the hat upside down on its crown to allow it to dry naturally. If you plan on using your hat in rainy weather, consider getting a Wool hat instead and/or getting a Rain Cover for your hat.

Cleaning

Straw Hats: Use a clean damp cloth or a hat sponge to remove surface dirt. Gently rub counterclockwise towards the back of the hat. To keep the sweatband dry of perspiration and hairdressings, occasionally turn down the sweatband to dry. With the leather sweatband turned out, perspiration and hair oil will evaporate instead of soaking into the hat.

Felt Hats : Use a brim brush to clean the brim of the hat and a crown brush to clean the crowns of the cowboy hat by lifting nap and surface dirt. Use a dark colored hat brush for dark hats and a light colored brush for light hats. Gently move the brush counterclockwise towards the back of the hat. After brushing your hat, use masking tape to remove any remaining lint on your hat. Gently pat your hat with the tape. To keep the sweatband dry of perspiration and hairdressings, occasionally turn down the sweatband to dry. With the leather sweatband turned out, perspiration and hair oil will evaporate instead of soaking into the hat.