How to clean and protect winter boots

Winter and boots go hand in hand, but at the same time nothing harms fine leather footwear more than snow and salt. Before you head out into the elements there are a few things you should know in order to keep your boots looking great for years to come.
Caring for your boots is composed of 3 main areas
Prevention steps
Ben Franklin once said that an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. That certainly holds true when it comes to taking care of your boots in the winter. Follow these steps to get your boots ready for the season:
Note: You should always avoid slush and ice as much as possible. If you know you will be subjecting your boots to these conditions then we recommend that you protect them with a pair of our Swims Classic Overshoes.
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Remove the laces
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Clean your boots
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Saddle Soap
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Applying Leather Lotion
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Carnauba Wax
Repair
No matter how careful you are your boots will probably get wet and salt stained at some point. Never fear, with proper care, most of the season's unwanted gifts can be repaired without too much difficulty. When it comes to boot leather troubles, winter weather has two main culprits, moisture and salt. Each has its own remedy:
Storage
When the season ends and it's time to trade in the boots for a pair of loafers, make sure you store them properly to guarantee they'll look great when winter rolls around again next year. For best results first clean and polish your boots as mentioned under Prevention.