Timberland makes exceptionally durable boots. But due to the material, their boots are terrible with stains and scuff marks.
That’s why it’s natural to feel overwhelmed about the cleaning process. You never know when you’ll mess up the outer look.
This common problem led me to discuss how to clean Timberland boots with vinegar and other household items.
Apart from the 4 methods, you’ll have the entire guide on cleaning Timberland boots.
So, without stretching this any further, let’s dive into it-
The First Step is to Prepare the Boots for Cleaning (Regardless of Which Method You Choose)
Preparing the boots is an easy process that’ll take 1-2 minutes at most. You’ll simply be removing any excess dirt that’ll get in the way of cleaning the boots.
By the way, have you broken in your Timberland boots yet?
Step 1: Slap the Boots Together
It’s better if you do it outside especially if you’ve worn the boots a couple of times. This will get rid of any loose dirt that was there.
Step 2: Use a Horsehair Shoe Brush
Now, brush off the entire surface using a horsehair shoe brush.
Step 3: Wipe the Boots with a Moist Towel and Remove the Laces
Finally, give the boots a nice wipe with a moist towel. But don’t get them wet.
After that, remove the laces and you’ll be done with it. And please, don’t skip on removing the laces. Trust me, it’ll make the cleaning process a whole lot easier.
How to Clean Timberland Boots with Household Items?
There are plenty of ways you can clean your Timberland boots. But unlike other leather boots, Timberlands need a bit of extra care. Although simply cleaning them won’t be enough to remove creases from your Timberlands.
So, the more you know the better you can take care of your boots. Here’s how to wash Timberland boots-
Method 1: How to Clean Timberland Boots with Vinegar?
Vinegar is a miracle natural cleaner that you can use to clean almost anything. It’s dirt cheap and most of the time you can get it from your kitchen.
Related: Timberland Boots Hurt Ankle: Here’s What to Do
On top of that, vinegar acts as a stain remover. You can even increase the strength to remove the toughest stains. Here’s how to do it-
Step 1: Make a 1:10 Mixture of Vinegar and Water
It’s not mandatory that you stick to this ratio. If the stains are particularly bad, you can increase the vinegar.
But keep in mind that too much vinegar can give out a sharp smell from your boots.
Step 2: Soak a Cloth in the Mixture for a Few Minutes
Keep an old rag or cloth in the mixture for a couple of minutes. Then, squeeze out the excess liquid.
Step 3: Rub the Cloth on the Boots
Start rubbing the cloth on the boots. It’s going to take some time to clean both of the boots as the cloth isn’t that wet.
But DO NOT make the cloth any wetter. Using less water is better in this case.
If the cloth dries, soak it again and continue rubbing. Within a few minutes, most of the stain should be gone.
Step 4: Leave the Boots to Dry Overnight in a Well-ventilated Area
As I’ve said earlier, vinegar has a strong smell. So, don’t leave the boots to dry in a cramped up. The more ventilation there is, the better the drying process will be.
Method 2: How to Clean Timberland Boots with Soap and Water?
Everyone has soap and water in their home. It’s the most common method of cleaning boots. But with Timberland boots, the process is a bit different-
Step 1: Brush Away the Bottom and Sole with a Brush
Put on some soap on the brush and start brushing. Before you know it, the dirt will be gone.
However, don’t use the brush on the main body of the boots right now.
Step 2: Make a Soap and Water Mixture
After the bottom part is cleaned out, make a mixture of soap and water. There’s no exact ratio. So, you’re free to do what you want.
Instead of using solid soap, you can opt for saddle soap. And the good old Dawn Liquid Soap is always there if you think saddle soap might be too harsh.
Step 3: Dip a Cloth in It and Rub on the Boots
The mixture is ready. Now, soap a cloth in it and wring out the excess liquid. Then, start rubbing on the boots.
Make sure to clean the entire shoe. And like always, try to use less water.
Step 4: If There are Stains Left, Use the Brush to Remove Those
Tough stains might not go away by rubbing a cloth. If that’s the case, take out the brush and use it to buff out any remaining stains.
But don’t go hard on it as it can damage the material when it’s wet. However, there’s a lot more to do if you want to remove ink from your Timbs.
Step 5: Wipe the Boots with a Dry Towel and Dry Overnight
Most of the work is done. To finish it off, wipe the boots with a dry towel. Don’t skip this step thinking that the drying process would be enough. Excess moisture is never good for leather boots.
After that, leave the boots to dry overnight.
Method 3: How to Clean Timberland Boots with Baking Soda?
While Timberlands are good for snow, they aren’t good with stains. But unless you have a particularly bad stain on your Timberland boots, you’re better off with other cleaning methods. But if you do, this method is for you-
Step 1: Sprinkle Baking Soda and Wait for 2-3 Hours
It’s just like it sounds. Sprinkle baking soda over the boots and wait for at least 2-3 hours.
That gives the baking soda enough time to soak any oil or other residue left on the boots. The more it gets, the better it can soak in any unnecessary elements.
Step 2: Start Rubbing a Cloth
After the waiting period is over, rub a cloth on the boots. Although you can skip this step if the stains aren’t that deep.
Step 3: Wipe off with a Cloth or Sponge
Wiping off the baking soda with a cloth or sponge is the first step. Chances are you won’t be able to remove all the baking with it. But still, do what you can.
Step 4: Use a Horsehair Brush to Brush off Any Excess Baking Soda
Now, it’s time to bring in the horsehair shoe brush. Continue brushing until all the baking soda is gone from the boots.
Trust me, you don’t want to leave that stuff on your precious Timberland boots.
Method 4: How to Clean Timberland Boots with Baby Wipes and Bread?
Stains are a pretty bad problem with Timberland boots. The easiest solution is using baby wipes and some bread.
Seems weird, right? Well, what if I tell you it’s kind of like cleaning your boots with sandpaper.
So, here’s how to clean timberland boots with sandpaper-
Step 1: Clean the Entire Boot with Baby Wipes
I guess you know how to use baby wipes. Instead of using them on your face, wipe your boots with them.
Even though it sounds weird, these can clean and remove stains from your boots with zero chances of damage.
Step 2: Scrub the Boots with Crust-free Bread
Now, grab a crust-free slice of bread and start rubbing on the places you have damage or stains.
As bread has a similar texture to fine-grade sandpaper, it’ll get rid of any of the surface stains.
Step 3: Dust off with a Brush
Finally, dust off any remaining crumbs or bread pieces and you’ll be done with it.
What About Suede and Nubuck Timberland Boots?
Timberland boots mean nubuck and suede. While these materials are super durable, they don’t do that well with water.
So, when it comes to cleaning these boots, you need to take some extra precautions.
How to Clean Suede Timberland Boots?
The first thing you need to remember about suede Timberland boots is to keep them away from water. Suede doesn’t get together well with water.
In fact, water can leave terrible stains on suede boots. This is why you should stick to a dry cleaning method.
Even if you use water, you need to be extra careful to make sure you don’t use extra water.
Either way, the best way to clean suede Timberland boots is to buy the Timberland Dry Cleaning Kit or you can get an all-in-one suede and nubuck kit which is my favorite.
Step 1: First Get All the Dirt Out with a Soft Brush
Like always, the first step is to clean the excess dirt. Leaving these on can do permanent damage to your Timberland boots.
Step 2: Get Scuff Marks Out by Rubbing a Suede Eraser
The ideal option would be to use a proper suede eraser. But if you can’t get one, it’s totally okay to use a pencil eraser.
Just remember to continue rubbing the eraser until the marks go away. Once the marks are gone, you can move on to the next step.
Step 3: Brush Down with a Soft Brush
The main part of the process is over. Now, grab your soft brush and brush off the boots.
This will remove any excess dirt or eraser debris left on the boots. And of course, the boots will have a uniform look.
How to Clean Nubuck Timberland Boots?
Cleaning nubuck is easier than suede. As the material is more than resistant, you can use all the DIY methods I’ve mentioned.
Still, it’d be better if you stick to the dry cleaning method. Simply follow what I showed with suede boots and you’ll be good to do.
However, nubuck Timberland boots or any nubuck boots for that matter are terrible when it comes to stains and scuffs.
This is why I suggest using the Gear Aid All-in-one Suede and Nubuck Kit. It comes with a water and stain repellant that solves this problem while SAVING YOU MONEY in the process. If you’re not sure what to do, here’s a complete guide on how to protect Timberland boots.
Can You Wash Timberland Boots in the Washing Machine?
You can’t wash entire Timberland boots in the washing machine. The only part of the boot that can go in the washing machine is the laces. As most Timberland boots are made out of nubuck and suede, keeping them away from water is necessary to prevent water stains.
Wrapping Up
And that’s a wrap on how to clean timberland boots with vinegar. Well, not only vinegar. There were plenty of other useful methods.
If you find out any other useful tricks and methods, don’t forget to comment down below.
