I second MoBob's statement.

I only used water (via a garden hose) to get the mud off/out of the soles. Using good ole fashioned shoe polish is the best thing for the leather boots, after I would dry brush the dirt off.

If I would be on base, I'd use pantyhose to shine my boots up after applying the polish.

If I were going into the field, I'd apply the polish on thickly and leave the boots like that.