Cleaning oil soaked boots

[RalphInCA]

The oil filler cap of my motorcycle came off when I was riding the other day. By the time I noticed, my right boot was soaked in oil. Oil has permeated the leather.

Is there any way to get the oil out of the leather, or are the boots goners?

Oil soak is so bad it makes my socks oil soaked when I wear the boots.

Would love to save the boots if I can, they weren't cheap! (And I am).

 

[Steve in Mi]

Bury the boot in cat litter or Speedy-Dry for a week, stir daily.

 

[NKlamerus]

I'd start with a degreaser like Simple Green. (Best cleaner IMO and smells good)

Inside and out.

Then as suggested already fill the boots and put them in a tub of cat litter

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Oil stained, I'd say Oileater. Oil soaked, not sure what to say. Now you have one waterproof boot?

Tommy

 

[jlckmj]

It must be a Harley, just leave your other boot under the bike while it is parked in the garage, they will even out. lol
(SORRY, Had to say it)

Jim

 

[Gerald O]

Mineral Spirits AKA 'stoddard solvent" will strip the oil out of the leather, then evaporate. Same as dry cleaning. You can give it a good soaking if needed. Just make sure its the real stuff, not the mineral spirits "substitute".

 

[Nick Danger]

If they're leather boots, you'll have to replace the natural oils if you clean them with harsh chemicals. They'll dry out and crack. Lube them afterward with Hubberd's Shoe Grease.

I'd try to get the oil out with speedy dry.

 

[ncautoshop]

From someone whose boots are constantly subjected to every automotive
Fluid imaginable on a daily basis, oil them with a boot oil and go on about your day.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

 

[38Chevy454]

I had some old boots that were real dirty and oil on them, although not soaked through to the level of OP.

I know some will laugh at this, but I just washed the boots in the washing machine with my dirty work clothes, hot water wash with lot of soap and some oxy-clean. I removed the inner soles and washed them also at same time. The boots came out clean as could be. Set them in sun outside to dry. They were like old dried out leather once dry, so I oiled them up real thick and put them in a warm oven to soak in. Came out great and been using them more. It really worked good and I have done it a second time now with similar results. They important part is you must re-oil the leather real good as the washing machine strips it clean.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

I had some old boots that were real dirty and oil on them, although not soaked through to the level of OP.

I know some will laugh at this, but I just washed the boots in the washing machine with my dirty work clothes, hot water wash with lot of soap and some oxy-clean. I removed the inner soles and washed them also at same time. The boots came out clean as could be.

Not too surprising, as most laundry detergents contain a good amount of degreasers. Some even recommend these for grease stains on concrete.

 

[rlitman]

If they're leather boots, you'll have to replace the natural oils if you clean them with harsh chemicals. They'll dry out and crack. Lube them afterward with Hubberd's Shoe Grease.

I'd try to get the oil out with speedy dry.

That's my concern. Mineral spirits, or detergent will remove the oil, but will also remove any oil protecting the leather. You'll ruin the leather.

OTOH, you don't want used motor oil soaking into your socks. That stuff is actually quite carcinogenic.

If the motor oil is as bad as you say, I'd start by soaking the boot in a good boot oil. Then squeeze out as much oil as you can, soaking it into paper towels. Do that a few times until you've diluted the motor oil with something less toxic. Then start squeezing the remaining oil out into paper towels. Pressure will help. Leather is like a sponge.

 

[48RON54]

the cat litter idea sounds promising

 

[Mattlt]

I'm a pheasant hunter. Walking miles upon miles through tall dry grass in the fall seems to clean stains out of my boots.

 

[George in Rancho Cordova]

In 1980, while on our honeymoon, my ex-wife walked into some oil on the beach from an oil spill near Santa Barbara. They were her only walking shoes, and we were headed for Hearst castle.
I was too cheap/stubborn to buy a pair of shoes.
I headed to a gas station and talked them into letting me use their solvent parts washer. Once the oil was off, I washed them in running water in the deep sink.
Tying them to the bumper air dried them by the time we got to Hearst Castle.

 

[Ruger_556]

Walk through a grassy field... Why are you worried? It won't hurt leather boots. Mine get soaked in everything from gear oil to ATF daily and are none worse for the wear

 

[gdh33]

Best bet would be using a leather cleaner like Lexol or anything meant to clean leather. I have hand washed with a mild dish soap before. Then coat in your favorite leather grease, oil, conditioner. Let sit and wipe off the excess. Wash inside and out. Leather is just skin that no longer cares for itself. What do you do when you get oil on your hands?