Much to your surprise, the chill of winter suddenly sets in which prompts you to desperately rummage through your closet in search of your winter shoes. Finally you find them! But, much to your dismay your winter boots look like the dawn of the dead. They are totally bent out of shape and the smell is revolting. You couldn’t possibly wear them like that. You may even be tempted to toss them out.

Well, it’s time to wake those babies up! These tips will tell you how to put new life into those boots.

Dirt and Grime: It’s clean up time! Before you clean your boots, remove the shoe laces and wash them separately. Soak the laces in a sink using Woolite®. If you have leather, exotic leathers (i.e., snake skin, alligator, etc.), suede or nubuck boots, you will want to use the cleaning and conditioning instructions for these type of boots on the boot care tips page. You can also download the tips for free.

Read on for fabric and patent leather cleaning tips.

Stinky Odors: If you’re feeling a little lazy or don’t think your boots need a good scrub down, attack the odor with some Lysol® spray. You can also rub the insides down with a rag or cottonball soaked in rubbing alcohol. Fragranced insoles add a nice, refreshing touch and you can get them at your local drugstore. Also, pour a tablespoon of baking soda inside your boots and let them sit overnight. The baking soda will absorb the odor.

No Shine: No bling to the boots? Using a slightly wet sponge and either a cream or paste shoe shine polish that matches the leather color, buff for shine.

Creases: The area where your toes flex is the most likely place to have creases and undoubtedly that can be uncomfortable as well as unattractive. To smooth out these fine lines in the leather, dab on some extra conditioner. Later, add a bit of cream colored shoe polish to the area.

Bent out of shape: For those of you that just throw your boots in the closet and go - that’s a big mistake! For one, they won’t be able to stand upright. This can cause creases in your boots. Plus, you could lose the shape of your boots. Sometimes, they will bend back into shape after you wear them for a while. To speed the process along, stuff recycled newspaper or white tissue paper inside the boots. Keep the paper inside the boot for a few days. Try a boot cedar tree too. They can help retain the shape and smooth out linings and insoles.

Jammed Zipper: When your zipper jams, try lubricating it first with a little bit of ChapStick®. If that doesn’t work - rub a lead pencil, up and down on the teeth of the zipper. This will help lubricate it too.

Too Tight or Stiff: Ouch! You say that every time you put those boots on. Try pouring a capful of alcohol inside your boots, then walk around in them for an hour. Also, a shoe stretcher will aid in getting rid of the tightness. There are even stretchers specifically designed for boots. Conditioning your boots is like putting lotion on your skin. It makes the boots more soft and supple. Remember, to check out and download the free conditioning tips for leather, exotic leather, suede, and nubuck boots on the boot care tips page.

Dark Scratches and Scuffs: For leather you can use a pencil eraser to gently rub off the mark. For suede and nubuck, take a shoe brush and brush out the area. If the paint is scratched off, use a dye for suede and fabric boots. Color sprays can be used for leather and synthetic materials like vinyl. Make sure to match up the color with the boot and follow the instructions accordingly.

Watermarks – Road Salt Stains: Get rid of those rings on smooth leather boots by brushing spots with a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water, then let them air dry. This procedure is also good for leather boots stained with road salt.

Mold & Mildew: With any type of boot, brush the spores off with a shoe brush. Undiluted white vinegar keeps them from returning. If you notice that a lot of your boots and shoes have mold on them, they may be in a high moisture retention area. You may want to move your boots and shoes to a dry area or place a packet of Damp Rid in the area.

Wild feathers or fur: If the feather or fur is out of place, use your fingers or a comb to gently position them where you want them to be. A few inches away from the boot, lightly mist the area of feathers or fur with a little bit of hair spray. This will help hold those wild things in place. If that doesn’t help, cut the foot out of a pair of pantyhose and pull it down over the boot. Spray the area with hair spray and let it dry. Once you’ve removed the pantyhose, tweak the area with your fingers or a comb.

Missing feathers or fur trim: First you need new pieces of feathers or fur to replace the old ones. You can buy them from your local arts and crafts store. If you only have a couple of feathers or a small patch of fur missing, take some from your other clothing or accessories. Maybe you have a purse that could lose some fur. On the end of the feather or fur trim, dab on fabric glue and place it in the missing area. In some cases, you may want to seek a professional shoe repair person to take care of this task.

No heel tip: Heel tips are the plastic or metal caps on the bottom of your heels. They are also called stoppers. Shoe repair professionals usually replace stoppers for around $7, but if you are one of those D-I-Y people then you may want to replace it yourself. There are quite a few women who replace stoppers themselves. They say all you need are strong fingers to grip the heel and a pair of pliers. First you’ll need to find stoppers that are the same size as the old ones. They are available at some local convenient stores, shoe repair shops and online stores. They cost around $7. Begin by pulling the old stopper off with pliers. If the stopper is already worn off and all you see is a nail, the nail will need to be pulled out. Move the pliers from side to side as you pull the nail out. Shoe repair professionals advise that the stopper should not be twisted too much during the removal process. Once the stopper and nail are removed, use leather or tack glue to repair loose leather in the area. Next, hit the stopper with a hammer. Be careful not to hit too hard. You could crack the stopper. Here’s the fun part – pretend like you’re hitting a bug with the heel tip against a hard level surface. Now you’re done! Some shoe repair professionals will also use leather glue and tack to reinforce the stopper. Again, if you are unsure of the proper tools or the procedure, please consult with a professional.

Gum on shoes: For gum on the bottom of boots, take some WD-40, ice or paint thinner and let it sit on the gum for a few minutes. Then, gently scrape the gum away using a sharp instrument like a knife.

Remember, if you are ever unsure about trying the above tips yourself consult with a professional shoe repair person. When using various products, such as cleaners and dyes, please make sure to follow the instructions on the product.

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