How to protect my velvet-flocked leather boots?

October 29, 2015 1:02 PM

I finally got my hands on a pair of boots from the Dr. Martens Flocked Collection. They are maybe my favorite thing in the whole world. But how can I protect them?

I just moved back to Michigan and the weather is going to be bananas this winter. I'm not planning on wearing them out if it's crappy or wet, but I'd still like to do *something* to try to keep these clean and keep the integrity of the flocking. Is this even possible?

The flocking is soft like velvet (might not actually be velvet) and has already flaked off a tiny bit from being shipped to me and packed for our move.

posted by getawaysticks to Home & Garden (4 answers total)

Best answer: I don't know of a way to protect flocking, but repairing and restoring flocking is definitely a do-able thing -- that's an intricate pattern, but if you're inclined to invest some time anyway -- there are kits to flock stuff.
posted by kmennie at 2:58 PM on October 29, 2015

Best answer: Why don't you contact Dr. Martens directly and ask what they would recommend for protecting/cleaning this material?
posted by lizbunny at 3:15 PM on October 29, 2015

Response by poster: @kmennie - great to know, thank you!

@lizbunny - I am horrified to admit that I never considered this. Thank you!
posted by getawaysticks at 1:32 PM on October 30, 2015

Response by poster: The Dr. Martens customer service suggested using the Wonder Balsam for this. She said it would not damage the flocking. I have done a test patch and it doesn't seem to darken the leather (as others have suggested on Amazon). Thanks for your suggestions!
posted by getawaysticks at 7:10 AM on December 9, 2015