How To
DMs Care 101: The Ultimate Guide on How to Clean Dr. Martens
A pair of Dr. Martens is a wardrobe staple that never misses – from the iconic 1460 boot to chunky Buzz shoes and summer-ready Blaire sandals.
But whether your go-to DMs are surviving festival fields, lecture halls, or just the daily coffee run, they deserve a little TLC. The trick? Cleaning them the right way for the material – because smooth leather, patent, suede, and nubuck all need slightly different care. Luckily, we’re giving you the lowdown with the only guide you need on how to clean Dr. Martens boots, shoes, and sandals. Ready to get stuck in?
Before You Start: Dr. Martens Cleaning Essentials
Before you get started, grab:
A soft cloth
A dry shoe brush or old toothbrush
Warm water
Mild soap or washing-up liquid
Paper towels or newspaper
Dr. Martens Wonder Balsam (for leather) or Suede Cleaner
Optional: Dr. Martens Care Kit including the Ultra Protector Spray
One golden rule across every material? Don’t soak them – your DMs are durable, but too much water can damage leather, mark suede, affect glue, and leave your pair looking worse for wear.
How to Clean Dr. Martens
How to Clean Smooth Leather Dr. Martens
Best for: 1460 boots, 1461 shoes, Chelsea boots, Jadon boots, Sinclair boots, Adrian loafers, Gryphon sandals, Voss sandals, and other smooth leather DMs.
Smooth leather DMs are classics for a reason: durable, edgy, and built to last. Luckily, they’re also some of the easiest Dr. Martens to clean.
- Remove the laces (if your pair has them)
Take out the laces so you can properly clean around the tongue, eyelets, and stitching. Wash the laces separately in warm soapy water if they need a refresh.
- Brush off dry dirt
Use your soft brush or old toothbrush to remove loose mud and dust from the upper, sole, and welt stitching – and for chunky soles, make sure to get right into the grooves. For sandals, pay attention to the footbed and strap edges, as dust and sun cream tend to build up here.
- Wipe with a damp cloth
Mix warm water with a tiny drop of mild soap, then wipe the leather gently. Keep the cloth damp (not dripping) and go carefully around buckles, stitching, and footbeds. Go back over your shoe with a clean damp cloth to remove any leftover soap.
- Dry naturally
Pat dry with a towel, then leave your DMs to air dry at room temperature. Avoid radiators, hairdryers, direct sunlight, or tumble dryers.
- Condition with Wonder Balsam
Once dry, work the Dr. Martens Wonder Balsam into smooth leather areas with a cloth or sponge, before letting it absorb and gently buffing. Avoid applying the balsam to footbeds, buckles, fabric trims, or non-leather finishes.
- Protect with Ultra Protector
Want to keep your DMs looking fresh for longer? Pick up the Ultra Protector from the Dr Martens
Care Kit and spray it evenly over your boots for added protection. Dr. Martens have created this guide on how to get the best results from your Ultra Protector:
How to Clean Patent Dr. Martens
Best for: patent Mary Janes, glossy 1460 boots, statement shoes, and high-shine Dr. Martens styles.
Patent DMs bring instant head-turner energy, but that shiny finish needs a lighter touch.
1. Remove surface dirt
Use a soft dry cloth to wipe away dust or loose dirt, using a toothbrush on the sole grooves if needed.
2. Wipe gently & clean around details
Use a slightly damp cloth to clean the patent upper. Don’t scrub hard – the glossy coating can mark if you go in too aggressively. Work carefully around buckles, stitching, straps, and sole edges.
3. Dry straight away
Use a soft, dry cloth to remove moisture and avoid water marks.
4. Buff the shine
Gently buff the patent finish with a clean cloth to bring back that mirror-like look. Skip Wonder Balsam on patent finishes – it’s designed for smooth, waxed, or oiled leather, not glossy coated materials.
Top tip: store patent Docs away from direct sunlight and avoid letting them press against darker materials, as colour transfer can happen.
How to Clean Suede Dr. Martens
Best for: Zebzag Mules and other suede sandal styles, suede Anistone boots, and other suede Dr. Martens shoes.
Suede Dr. Martens hit that sweet spot between edgy and soft, but they definitely don’t love water – so keep things dry, gentle, and controlled.
1. Let mud dry first
If your suede DMs are muddy, let the mud dry completely before cleaning – trying to wipe wet mud will likely push it deeper into the fibres.
2. Brush the suede
Use a suede brush to gently remove dirt, brushing in one direction to lift the nap. For sandals, brush straps carefully and avoid rough scrubbing around buckles.
3. Clean the soles separately
Use a dry brush first, then a lightly damp toothbrush on the sole edge or tread if needed. Try not to get the suede upper wet while doing this.
4. Use Suede Cleaner for tougher marks
For more stubborn dirt, use Dr. Martens Suede Cleaner (and remember to test on a hidden area first). Avoid any soaking – too much water can stain, flatten, or roughen the finish. Check out Dr. Martens’ top tips for using their Suede Cleaner below!
5. Brush again when dry
Once dry, gently brush the suede again to revive the texture, and finish with the Ultra Protector spray to ensure your suede DMs stay looking fresh.
How to Clean Nubuck Dr. Martens
Best for: nubuck 2976 Leonore and 1460 Serena boots, matte leather Dr. Martens shoes and boots, and nubuck DMs sandals.
Nubuck can look a little like suede, but it’s made from the outer side of leather, giving it a fine, velvety texture that also requires a gentle approach.
1. Brush lightly
Use a nubuck or suede brush to remove dust and surface dirt. Keep pressure light!
2. Clean around soles and straps
Use a dry brush or toothbrush to clean sole grooves, welt stitching, strap edges, and buckles. If you need moisture on the sole, keep it away from the nubuck upper.
3. Tackle marks carefully
For small marks, use a specialist nubuck cleaner or suede cleaner suitable for textured leather (remember to test first). Avoid wet cloths unless the cleaner instructions recommend it – nubuck can darken or mark when it gets too wet.
4. Air dry naturally
Leave your DMs to dry at room temperature if any moisture is used.
5. Restore the texture
Brush gently once dry to lift the surface again.
Quick FAQs
For everyday wear, give your Dr. Martens a quick brush or wipe every couple of weeks. For mud, rain, festivals, or heavy wear, clean them as soon as they’re dry enough to handle properly. The key is little and often – a quick refresh now saves a full rescue mission later.
No – washing machines are too harsh for Dr. Martens and can damage leather, suede, nubuck, canvas, stitching, glue, and shape. Always hand clean your DMs!
Air them out between wears, rotate your shoes, wear clean socks, and consider replacing the insoles – we’ve got you covered with WarmWair Insoles if your pair needs a refresh.
Brush off dirt regularly, clean them according to their material, avoid harsh heat, and store them somewhere cool and dry.
Shop Dr. Martens Shoe Care at schuh
Your beloved Dr. Martens have your back (and your feet) whatever your plans – and taking care of them is the best way to return the favour. Don’t miss our Dr. Martens shoe care collection, packed with all the essentials that make keeping your DMs looking box-fresh feel effortless.