Leather is a durable material that will last for many years if you properly care for it. Yet, when you wear something on a regular basis, certain things may be unavoidable, such as scratch marks on boots. Luckily, scratches are not the end of the world, and you don't have to throw your boots away. You can fix most scratches on tan leather boots without spending a fortune. The process does not take a lot of time, and your boots will look as good as new.

Brush the boots with a boot brush to remove loose dirt. Start at the top of the boot and brush in a circular motion. Brush a small section at a time. Continue down to the next section of your boot. Brush the entire boot from top to bottom and do the same brushing technique on the sides and back of the boot.

Clean the boots with a cloth to remove leftover dirt or debris. Simply run a cotton cloth under cool water and wring it out. Rub the cloth over the boot in a circular motion, starting at the top. Rinse the cloth under clean water if it gets dirty and wring it out again. Continue rubbing the boot with the cloth until you have cleaned the entire boot.

Apply a leather conditioner to your boots. Simply pour the conditioner onto a clean cloth and rub it into the boots in a circular motion. This method may remove a minor scratch, so rub at the scratched area for a few minutes to diminish the appearance of the scratch. Don't forget to read the instructions on the label for proper application.

Apply a tan boot polish to your boots if the scratch remains. Use a cream polish. Place a cloth into the cream polish and rub it around to pick up the cream. Rub the cloth into the leather boot in a circular motion. Add more polish if you run out. Cover the entire boot. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for proper application.

Apply a water protector to your boots. Spray the product evenly over the boots, starting at the top and working down. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions. Allow the boots to dry.