Mink Oil Ruined My Boots – 4 Easy Method to Fix!

Mink oil for boots is a conditioner for leather shoes developed traditionally from the belly fat of mink. It originates from the material culture of Native America. Many leather workers and shoe enthusiasts go crazy for mink oil. That is because the oil absorbs very fast, making your leather shoe very soft.

What if mink oil ruined my boots! This oily balm has many benefits and protective characteristics. On its plus side, it serves as a barrier to repel oil, and on the downside, it darkens leather significantly.

Most people don’t know about this fact. That is why, when this happens, they panic. Well, that’s a misconception because your leather boots are not yet ruined. Besides, they can be remedied. Want to know what happens? Keep reading.

Key Takeaways

• Mink oil can condition boots and make them more resistant to water, but excess of it can considerably darken your leather boots.
• It may not be very easy to bring back your boots to their original color after using too much mink oil on leather. The oil is a bit greasy, likely to remain on and inside the leather boot, but applying it once will not sink too much.
• Mink oil can replenish the natural oils of leather that it loses after using them for a long time. This oil loss can result in your leather boots cracking, their fibers separating, and the boots deteriorating quickly. But mink oil restores the lost oil and lubricates the leather fibers to make them durable and more flexible.

Mink Oil Ruined My Boots – Why Did It Happen?

Mink oil can ruin your boots due to several factors, including chemical reactions between the leather and the oil. Also, the oil usually softens leather materials and, if applied too much, can make it too soft.

Applying mink oil on your boots is very simple and convenient. However, most people do not know exactly how mink operates and its effects on the boots. That’s why you’ll hear them saying mink oil ruined my boots. If you use mink oil in the right quantity, it works well for your boots, but it will ruin them in excess.

So, let’s consider some reasons’ mink oil ruins boots.

Chemical reactions

Most of the time, mink oil darkens your leather boots because of a chemical reaction. Once you rub mink oil on your boot, it sinks down to the recess of your boots and remains there. Your leather will likely darken dependent on the particular oil used in manufacturing. Most products have added certain fats and darkening ingredients, making the oil darken your leather. So, your leather boots react to the mink oil used on them.

Mink oil softens leather

When you do not apply the mink oil as it should, it tends to cause problems. For instance, applying the mink oil too much and too many times will soften your leather boots too much. As a result, your leather boots will become too flexible and uncomfortable on your feet and no longer appropriate for a work boot. Just imagine hitting your feet on the staircase while wearing a pair of boots that is too soft. Your toes will instantly feel the pains, of course.

Lack of ventilation

Mink oil can seep into the leather pores and clog them when applied too much. When this happens, it blocks ventilation spots on your boots. So, when your boots cannot breathe, every of your sweat can’t dry out but accumulates within the boots. This condition will lead to mold and bacteria growth on your leather boots. In addition, it will deteriorate your leather boots.

Do Mink Oil Ruin Leather Boots?

Mink oil does not ruin your leather boots. The reality is that the oil offers many great benefits to leather boots. It reduces too much dryness on the leather and protects them from dust, filth, and water. For instance, when you apply mink oil on leather boots for flooring installers, it prolongs their lifespan. Moreover, they will retain their new look at all times.

However, where the problem comes in when you apply too much mink oil on leather boots. It is either the mink oil discolors them, or it will darken the leather boots. But with just a little mink oil application, your leather boots will gain many benefits.

Secondly, if you carelessly apply large amounts of mink oil to your leather boots, it tends to become excessively soft. As a result, the boot will accumulate excess moisture, which can lead to crumbled boots. So, if your leather boots are suffering from excessive mink oil, you need to treat them immediately to prevent damage.

On the other hand, you can leave the boots and stop agonizing excessively over them. You may find the soft state of your boots beneficial if you go backpacking every day. The extra-soft condition of the leather boot is perfect for such activities.

How To Remove Mink Oil From Leather Boots?

Too much mink oil on leather boots, intentional or unintentional, can result in discoloration or oil marks on the boots. When this problem occurs, you need to know how to remedy it. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to treat the mink oil stain and remove the excess mink oil from your leather.

However, you have to act very fast because; if you leave the mink oil longer on your boot, the oily balm will reach down to the pores of the leather. Then, the stain will become permanent and difficult to remove.

Let’s explore these methods below;

First Method: Make Use of Saddle Soap or Dish Soap

Whether you use saddle soap or dish soap for this method, it is okay. Any of them will deliver a satisfactory result.

Steps to follow:

• If you use dish soap, add water to form soapy water. For a saddle soap, you can sprinkle water on it, then use a brush to lather it up.
• Use a brass-bristled brush to administer the soap to the parts of your boots that have mink oil discoloration.
• Apply the soap on the boots gently in short rubs instead of rubbing them vigorously.
• Use a dry towel to clean away any soap residue after removing the stain
• Allow the boot to stay in an airy place for some time to dry
• If the mink stain didn’t clear away completely, use a suede eraser on the affected part
• After this process, the stain will clear away; you can then add leather conditioner to bring back moisture throughout the boots.

Second Method: Apply Talcum Powder

Most people don’t know that talcum powder can absorb the oil from your body, but it does. Likewise, it can work effectively to absorb mink oil from your leather boots.

Steps to Follow:

• Use the talcum powder to cover the entire area with a stain
• Allow the talcum powder to stay on it overnight
• Use a horse hair brush for shoes to remove the powder the next day
• While brushing, it is important to do it vigorously in case the talcum powder holds on to your boots
• Use a thick coating of hairspray to get off any remaining powder
• Wipe your boots with a moist towel and allow them some time to dry
• Then coat the boot with a leather conditioner to clinch the deal

Third Method: Make Use of Cornstarch

Apart from the use of hairspray, using cornstarch to remove excess mink oil is almost like that using talcum powder.

Steps to Follow:

• To avoid making a mess, lay newspapers on your working surface
• Spray a large quantity of the cornstarch
• Rub it gently on the mink oil stain
• Allow the substance to sit for about 30 to 40 minutes. That will allow the cornstarch to absorb the mink oil within the boots.
• Use a brush to brush your boots to clean up too much starch meticulously
• Leave the boots out to air dry before you can wear them

Fourth Method: Apply Acetone

This particular method seems to work more successfully than the others.

Steps To Follow:

• Dip cotton balls in acetone
• Use it to rub on the area on your boot stained by mink oil
• As you rub on the stain, the oil will come off to stain the cotton balls. Replace any of the cotton balls that become dirty with fresh ones.
• Use a clean rag/cloth to clean out the acetone as well as the build-up
• Then spray cornstarch or talcum powder on that particular area and wait for about 20 to 30 minutes
• Use a brush to brush off your boots as well as the corners
• Use soapy water to clean your boots and allow them to air dry
• The last step is to condition the boots

What Is The Best Way To Apply Mink Oil To Leather Boots?

The best way to apply mink oil to leather boots is by brushing off any extra dirt. Use a moist cloth to remove grease build-up and scrub the boots a few times with lukewarm water. Then allow it dry, and afterward, apply the mink oil.

When you get your mink oil, the next thing to do is apply it properly. Before you proceed, one thing you must not forget is never to use too much mink on leather. Also, you must know how long to leave mink oil on boots. The lesser the mink oil, the better for your leather boots. That said, let’s continue;

Things You Will Need

• Mink oil under room temperature
• Latex or rubber gloves
• Soft clean microfiber cloth
• Dry, clean leather boots with the laces removed

Step by Step process

Step One: Use A Brush To Remove Additional Dirt

• Bring out your leather boots outside.
• Slap the 2 together so that any light dirt on them will fall off
• Get hold of a medium or soft-bristled brush to clean any residual dirt

Step Two: Use Moist Cloth To Remove Built-In Grease

Since the easy dirt has been removed, the next thing to do is clean the already built-in grease which may cause problems later.

Do this:

• Use moistened cloth that is soaked in lukewarm water to scrub the boots a few times
• Apply a saddle, normal dishwashing, or bar soap solution to the boots

Step Three: Allow It To Dry

The next step is to allow your boots to air-dry for about 2 to 3 hours. You can also let the boots longer time to ensure that they are completely dry depending on the level of wetness of the boots. Drying the boots overnight is also good if they are excessively wet.

Step Four: Rub Mink Oil On The Boots

Do this:

• Get a clean, dry rag
• Use it to fetch a little mink oil. Never scoop a large quantity
• Now apply it thoroughly. Make sure you rub the oil in a circular method. Cover every pore of your boots with the mink oil.
• Clean up any spot that has excess mink oil and rub it on another spot

Step Five: Wipe Anywhere You See Too Much Mink Oil

Check around the whole boot to see if there is any spot with excessive mink oil. Then you wipe it away. There shouldn’t be too much mink oil on your leather boots. These steps above are the easiest and simplest methods to apply mink oil to your leather boots properly. If you can follow them judiciously, you wouldn’t need to ask, should I use mink oil on my boots because the result is awesome.

Is Mink Oil Good For Leather Boots?

Mink oil is very good for your leather boots. Mink oil makes the leather softer. It eliminates dryness and safeguards your leather boots against dirt and water. When you use mink oil in moderation, it delivers an excellent result. So let’s check why mink oil is good for your leather boots.

Restoration

Leather boots tend to dry out after you wear them for some time. Once its natural oil dries up, you will see multiple cracks on the leather boots. At this point, you will begin to think of ways you can bring back your leather boots to their former glory.

That is where mink oil benefit comes in since it can aid the restoration of your leather boots. You can bring back the leather boot’s natural oil with mink oil, which it has lost due to many months of usage.

Water-Proofing

Mink oil has a way of making a leather boot waterproof, although not 100%. It can safeguard your boots from heavy to light rain, which fails for a short time. The mink oil fills every pore of the leather boots to create a coating on the boots, which can easily resist moisture. As a result, your leather boots will become waterproof for a short period.

However, if you are looking for a lifetime of waterproofing your leather boots after applying mink oil once, it won’t work. You have to look for another waterproofing method.

Good For Leathers

It is very beneficial to leather boots if you apply mink oil. The oil has many similarities with the organic leather natural oil. That is the reason you can effectively use mink oil on nearly every type of leather.

Darkens Your Boot

What some people see as a defect can be a great advantage. Anytime you want your leather boot to have a darker look, you can easily apply mink oil to them. The mink oil clogs every pore within the leather boot, making your leather boots seem darker.

While certain people who desire to darken their leather boots may be ok with it, those who want their boots glowing won’t find it funny. So, it is up to you what you prefer.

How To Maintain The Color Of Leather Boots

If you buy a high-quality leather boot, it will dent your bank account. However, if you can maintain it properly, it can last you for a very long time. Lower-quality shoes that are cheap can be replaced easily, but high-quality leather boots are like an investment.

Even though little damage such as; cracks, water stains, and scuffs can lower the value and quality of the boots, you can fix or avoid them easily. Also, you can keep the color of your leather boots smooth, supple, and comfortable with these maintenance methods;

Things You Will Need

• Old towel
• Old newspapers
• Soft-bristled brush
• Mild body soap or saddle soap
• Clean, soft cloth/rag (preferably linen or cotton material)
• A good cream or paste shoe polish
• Polishing brush or buffing cloth
• Warm sponge
• Spray-on water repellent

Steps To Follow

• Remove your leather boot laces and keep them nearby.
• Place your boots on the old newspapers or old towel. This will prevent loose dirt and dust from coming in contact with your boots.
• Use the soft-bristled brush to brush on the surface of the boots to eliminate the surface dirt.
• Put in 1 hand within the boots to drop a mild body soap or a saddle soap the size of a nickel directly on the leather.
• Proceed to brush the dropped soap until it seeps inside the leather. The brush must reach all the boot’s scuffs, seams, and creases until your boots are completely clean.
• Then use a clean, moist cloth to wipe your boots.
• Allow the boots to air-dry for about 20 minutes.
• Soap a clean linen or cotton cloth inside a container of the leather conditioner. Take out an amount the size of a ½ dollar.
• Use the leather conditioner on the leather directly, circularly, and gently. Keep on doing that until your boot’s upper side is well-conditioned.
• Select the appropriate cream or paste boot polish that is similar to the color of your leather boots. Apply the boot polish in circular form with your conditioning cloth throughout the boot surface. Continue doing so until the whole boot is totally polished.
• Use the polishing brush or buffing cloth to buff your boots. Use rapid short motions to enable the boots to shine.
• Use the warm sponge to clean up the boots. Ensure the warm sponge reaches the leather pores.
• Use a spray-on to spray the water-repellent on the boot’s surfaces.
• Then use the clean cloth to wipe them gently.

This is how you can maintain the color of your leather boots, and they can last you for a very long time. However, as time goes on and the original colors wear off, you can apply new liquid polish in the same color as the original color. Just make sure to use the liquid boot polish to protect your boots from moisture damage.

Some Alternatives to Mink Oil For Leather

Even though mink oil is a must-have to take care of your leather boots, some think its benefits are overrated. So for those people, there are alternatives to mink oil that you can also use effectively. They are as follows;

1. Bick 4

This product is a leather conditioner that is a lot similar to mink oil. However, their advantages and disadvantages are different. But if you need to condition, add shine, and preserve the color of your leather boots, Bick 4 can do all these things. In addition, it can work effectively on every kind of leather product.

2. Neatsfoot Oil

This alternative comprises 100% neatsfoot oil. This means oil brought out from cattle’s feet and shin bones. It is a natural conditioner and can work wonders on leather boots. It can restore the lost oil of your leather boots, although it can also darken the color.

3. Saphir Renovateur

According to the manufacturers of this product, the Saphir renovateur can condition, protect, and soften your leather boots. This alternative comprises an ingredient mixture that works perfectly for suede or leather boots.

In addition, it can bring back shine and restore leather boots’ cracks. Unlike mink oil, Saphir renovator doesn’t darken leather boots. Instead, it adds shine to it.

4. All Natural Leather Oil

This alternative comprises palmitoleic acid, which is also in mink oil. But this particular specie is derived from a plant-based origin. All natural leather oil also has the same nourishing properties as mink oil even though it didn’t get its own from the fur industry.

5. Beeswax

This particular alternative is unsaturated and durable as mink oil. Furthermore, Beeswax can protect leather boots from dust and dirt. Also, it is very effective in its waterproofing properties to an extent. It also makes sure that your boots are tolerable even in adverse weather conditions. However, Beeswax can’t soften leather boots. As a result, you will need to add other ingredients or oil to it.

6. Leather Balm

This product contains 100% natural sweet almond oil, organic cocoa butter, and organic beeswax. You can safely and easily apply this particular alternative by hand very fast. That is why the product is free of animal fat, petroleum products, and likely toxic chemicals. It is a conditioner that depends on plant-based ingredients.

7. Heavy Duty LP

This product comprises natural nurturing ingredients and beeswax. Its great advantage is that beeswax can protect your leather boots from water/moisture and retain your boot’s natural oils. Since heavy-duty LP is wax-based, you can effectively apply it on any chrome-tanned leather.

8. Oil For Moderate Conditions

This mink oil alternative contains natural conditioning and Beeswax oils. It is similar to the other alternatives, but it works better on vegetable-tanned and oil-tanned leathers.

According to the manufacturers of this product, it can effectively hydrate leathers exposed to the sun too much. Oil for moderate conditions is a balm produced to bring back leather discoloration and heal cracks due to sunlight. It also contains a little bit of animal products, and you can use it on more classic style boots and dress shoes.

9. Venetian Shoe Cream

This alternative is a conditioner that is popular in various boot companies. Its true properties and formula are seriously guarded. However, we know that it contains about 6 or 7 different waxes. Also, it doesn’t contain any thickeners, waterproofers, or silicone.

The duty of the Venetia shoe cream is to nurture your leather boots and provide a little shine to them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does mink Oil Harm Leather?

Mink oil will not harm leather unless you apply it excessively. But a moderate amount applied properly nurtures it. The mink oil nourishes, restores, and conditions your leather boots. In addition, it can provide waterproofing features to some extent.

But when you apply it excessively, mink oil can also darken your leather boots and remove its natural shine. Furthermore, it can dull the shine of your leather boots, making them have a matte appearance.

So depending on the particular result you are expecting, you can determine whether mink oil harmed your leather boots or not. Ordinarily, it doesn’t unless in excess.

Can You Use Too Much Mink Oil?

Using too much oil on leather is not good at all. This is because; it can soften your leather boots too much. Additionally, too much mink oil can clog the leather pores and prevent it from receiving appropriate ventilation.

When this happens, your leather boots accumulate moisture-it gathers your sweat together, which is quite awful. Apart from the bad odor, it also leads to mold and bacteria growth. This can make your feet stink and also damage your leather boots.

However, mink oil serves as a conditioner for working leather. It is perfect for any leather boot with too much tear and wears. You can coat your everyday beater boots with mink oil at intervals to restore their dryness. Also, the oil prolongs its water resistance capacity.

Does Mink Oil Go Bad?

Mink oil won’t go bad if you keep it away from the hot sun or heat and store it in a cool environment. A properly stored mink oil can last for years or 2 years. Although mink oil contains large quantities of unsaturated fat, its reaction to oxygen isn’t much.

As a result of mink oil’s oxidative stability, it can last more and remain good as new. However, mink oil can only go bad if you leave its lid open. But nobody makes that kind of mistake, right?

Does Mink Oil Rot Stitching?

Mink oil cannot rot your stitching. The reason people fear that it does is because back in the day, boots were designed with cotton threads. It is well-known that cotton threads are not durable and strong as nylon threads. Thus, when the leather boots are stitched with cotton threads, and you apply mink oil on them, they tend to rot.

But at present, leather boots are designed with nylon threads. The leather boots stitched with nylon threads will never rot, no matter the amount of mink oil you rub on them.

How Often Should You Use Mink Oil On Leather?

It is advisable only to rub mink oil on your leather boots once every 2 weeks. If you do not adhere to this rule and do otherwise, your leather boots will become affected by oxygen. Also, you will see the leather boots hardening.

Moreover, mink oil can darken the color of your leather boot. So when you dare to apply too much mink oil on leather, it will escalate the level of darkening. Thus; making your leather boots look appalling.

Conclusion

Mink oil is a good product that can restore and nurture your leather boots. It has stayed for a very long time and is a must-have conditioner for many leather users. Moreover, it is quite inexpensive compared to buying a new pair of boots.

So, if you are one of those who said; mink oil ruined my boots, you overused the oil on the boots. But you don’t need to stress too much over it. If you read this article thoroughly, you will find out that you can restore your leather boots almost back to their original condition. But don’t forget, the lesser mink oil you apply on your boots next time, the better results you’ll get.

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