How to Smooth Scuffed Leather Boots

Deep scuff marks can often be covered up with shoe polish matching the color of the leather.
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If your knee-high leather boots are looking a bit dingy from getting scuffed up, don’t be so quick to throw in the towel. It may look like there’s no hope for salvaging the once shiny, polished leather, but there are a variety of household products that can smooth out the scuffs. You’ll be strutting around town in your old boots, but they’ll look practically brand new.

Put a couple drops of vegetable oil onto a soft rag. Rub the oil over the scuff marks. Buff the boots with a clean, soft cloth to blend in the oil.

Squeeze a pea-sized amount of plain toothpaste onto a soft cloth. Rub the toothpaste into the scuff marks until they disappear. Wipe the affected area of the boots with a damp rag, then dry with another rag.

Put a dab of petroleum jelly onto a soft rag. Wipe the petroleum jelly over the scuffed area of the boots. Go over the area with a damp rag, then a dry rag to remove moisture.

Rub over the scuff marks with an art eraser. Move the eraser gently over the leather until the scuffs are gone.

  • Clean the boots with a soft, damp rag to remove surface dirt and dust before removing the scuff marks.

Kimbry Parker has been writing since 1998 and has published content on various websites. Parker has experience writing on a variety of topics such as health, parenting, home improvement and decorating. She is a graduate of Purdue University with a Bachelor of Arts in organizational communication.

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