Mink Oil Ruined My Boots (How To Fix Guide)

So many times people ask me questions like:

“OMG Mink Oil ruined my boots. What should I do now?”

“I applied Mink Oil to condition my work boots but it darkened the leather. How should I fix this?”

To be honest, mink oil condition and preserve the leather, but it can make your shiny new leather to an old matte and spotty finish. It does darken the boots.

But, there is nothing to worry about because you can quickly restore the natural leather color and remove mink oil. In this article, you will see what mink oil really does to the boots and how it is removed. Please read below to find out everything about it.

What Happens When You Apply Mink Oil?

The process of applying mink oil to boots is easy and convenient. But, what most people don’t know is how the oil actually works. And what does it do to your boots?

So, the first thing mink oil does is sink into the pores of your leather boots and settle there. Then, depending on the type of oil, your leather will darken. Because some products are mixed with other darkening ingredients and fats thus, mink oil darkens the leather.

Or other times, it may be due to a chemical reaction of your leather or leather products to mink oil. And, this is the leading cause that ruins your leather boots- or darkens them unnecessarily. Other than that, it softens the leather and protects it from dust and particles.

Related: Neatsfoot Oil vs Mink Oil

How To Remove Mink Oil From Leather?

Mink oil for leather boots can make your shoes matte and decrease the natural leather shine resulting in tacky boots so you have only one way to fix it: Remove Mink Oil. Luckily, there are some ways to remove oil from leather shoes. Two of them are explained below:

Method 1: Baking Soda & Hair Spray

This method does take a little time but provides you with beneficial results. The most convenient thing is you can find all the ingredients in your home, and it will be a cost-free thing. Follow the method below to gain your desired color:

Step 1: Clean the affected boots with a towel or cloth. Let the fabric absorb as much oil as it can.

Step 2: Spread baking soda on every part of the boots that have mink oil. Cover the place generously.

Step 3: Let the soda rest and absorb oil for at least 8 hours.

Step 4: Take a toothbrush and gently rub off the baking soda. You don’t have to be harsh at the start but build up your speed and strength eventually.

Step 5: When the baking soda is all cleared out of the shoes, spread your hair spray over the leather layer.

Step 6: Let the spray rest for about 1-2 minutes.

Step 7: Take a lint-free cloth or towel and rub your shoes gently. This will remove oil from leather boots and clean baking soda too.

Step 8: Repeat the process if necessary.

Baking soda, talcum powder, and hair spray are all products found in the home and used in daily life-thus, they do not have side effects. They are perfect if you have any doubts about ruining your boots. So, be safe and use trustable things.

Method 2: Soap & Sponge

How to clean oil off leather boots can be a bit of a tough question but this process makes the answer easy. Dish soap or saddle soap is a commonly known ingredient to remove stains and dirt. But, what you don’t know is they also help with removing mink oil from boots. So, follow the process below to get your fresh and vibrant leather color back:

Step 1: Dilute dish soap or take saddle soap and sponge

Step 2: Dip the sponge in your soap completely

Step 3: Rub the wet sponge over your desired area with gentle motions.

Step 4: Use circular and non-linear motion while removing the oil

Note: Do not scrub the leather harshly as it can also destroy the original color and layer of leather.

Step 5: Leave the boots in the air and give them space and time to dry completely.

Do not use a hairdryer, sunlight, or anything else to speed up the process.

Step 6: Condition the leather with oil as soap can dry it out.

Step 7: Repeat if necessary.

The process is perfect if the mink oil is not settled in the pores, as it is more effective on freshly used oil. But, other than that, the method does complete its job and removes mink oil from boots.

It is convenient to remove mink oil but there will be no need to do that- only if you apply the oil properly.

How To Apply Mink Oil To Leather Boots?

Mink oil for work boots is integral and key to restoring and reusing leather boots for a long time. Let’s see how you can apply oil to boots:

Step 1: Choose your desired Mink Oil (We recommend Sof Sole)

Step 2: Scrap all the dust with a cloth or water

Step 3: Use a hair dryer or heat to dry leather boots

Step 4: Melt your chosen mink oil

Step 5: Take a piece of cloth or cotton and dip it in oil

Step 6: Start oiling the leather boot by using a cloth

Step 7: Massage the oil gently to each and every corner of the boot

Step 8: Wipe off the excess product after drying

The process is not technical at all but the time varies when you dry mink oil. Thus, If you want to condition your leather boots let the mink oil rest on for about two hours and wipe off the excess.

But, if you want to do waterproofing then apply the mink oil for at least 12 hours or overnight and then dry it under the sun. Waterproofing takes more time during the drying and massage process and it lasts longer too.

Tada! You have applied mink oil to your boots. The process is easy, convenient, and effective. All you have to do now is wait for the result.

Although, using mink oil is easy but not everybody loves it as much- as it puts a little more weight on your shoulders by coming from animal mistreatment. Some people don’t use mink oil because they do not want that matte finish and reduced shine. So, let’s discuss some alternatives to this problem.

Best Mink Oil Alternatives

Some people think that mink oil is an overrated product and it requires some changes too. Well, mink oil has a spotlight in the leather industry and boots care products, but some alternatives do the job too. These are listed below:

• Bick 4

This leather conditioner is also compared to mink oil a lot, but both of them have their own pros and cons. If you want to condition, preserve color, or add shine to the leather, then you can choose this conditioner as it can do all of them. It is also an all-rounder that can be used on every leather product.

• Saphir Renovateur

The manufacturers claim that the product will leave your leather conditioned, soft, and protected. Guess what? They are not wrong because they contain a mixture of ingredients that work best for leather boots or suede. It also restores the shine and crack of leather boots. Although the product does contain some quantity of mink oil it does not darken the leather but provides shine to it.

• Beeswax

Beeswax is as durable and unsaturated as mink oil; it also provides you protection from dirt and dust. In addition, beeswax is an effective product that offers a water resistance feature to some extent and makes your boots bearable for different weather conditions. But, beeswax does not soften the leather, so you can add any other oil or ingredient to do that.

FAQs:

Does mink oil go bad?

Mink oil is highly unsaturated and does not react to the environment rigorously. Thus, it is easy to store for a more extended period. Keep your mink oil in a cool and dry place to use it for years.

Does mink oil darken leather?

Yes, mink oil leaves your leather with a dark tone and matte finish look. It does condition and waterproof it, too, but the downside is that the leather’s natural shine will fade.

Is mink oil bad for leather?

I won’t say it’s bad because Mink oil conditions, replenish, nourish, and waterproof your leather. But, the oil also darkens and removes the natural shine of the leather boots. So it depends on what you want to achieve.

How to get oil out of leather boots? 

Baking Soda, Talcum Powder, Dish Soap, or Saddle soap are some things that can help get rid of mink oil from work boots. They can remove oil, dust, and dirt and absorb oil from clogged pores.