How to Care For Your Leather Shoes
Your leather shoes and other leather goods are an investment, and if you treat them well they can last for seasons, or even a lifetime. You don't have to "spit shine," as they used to suggest way back when, but you can build your polishing kit with a few tools that will make a regular care routine easy for you to maintain.
Taking care of your leather dress shoes or boots is a big part of keeping them comfortable and extending their lifespan. But you may have found there is an overwhelming amount of information out there about how to care for leather shoes. It seems everybody has a different opinion about how to go about taking care of such a simple thing. However, a few things are clear when it comes to shoe care. This guide is a simple set of principles that everyone can follow when taking care of leather shoes.
Realize that leather is skin, both figuratively and literally.
The leather used to make your brogues, boots, loafers or sneakers acts as a second skin for your feet, and is just as sensitive to improper care or neglect. You need to take care of your leather shoes almost as lovingly as you might for your skin with proper skincare supplies or hair care products.
Clean your leather shoes on a regular schedule.
While most people think of polishing their leather, cleaning before you start waxing and buffing can make a big difference. Regular cleaning can prevent early wear, stains and discoloring. To clean your leather shoes, start by wiping away dust and debris using a soft, dry cloth or a horsehair brush. Next, use soapy water and a soft cloth to clean the surface. Wipe away the excess. Then gently apply saddle soap all over the shoes, both inside and out. Wipe away the excess again. This will effectively clean your leather shoes without damaging them. It's a tried-and-true combination.
Polish shoes for the best looks.
After cleaning your shoes, you are ready to apply a polish or wax. Make sure you choose the correct color that matches the leather. A universal clear polish is okay, but it just doesn't have quite the same shine as color-matched polishes. Wax-based polish is available in black, brown, tan and wine. Sometimes you can find some more specialty colors that better match your needs, but you can typically find a basic color polish that works with your shoes. The purpose of polishes and waxes is not just to make your shoes look great, but also to protect them from the elements. Water damage is a real threat to leather shoes, so be sure to protect them. If your polish or wax does not contain a waterproofing element, apply a spray-on waterproofer after polishing.
Use leather conditioner to retain moisture.
Just like skin moisturizer or lotion prevents your skin from getting dry and cracked, leather conditioner does the same for your shoes. It is best to prevent cracks and other wear before it starts. Keeping your leather conditioned and supple will help fight these signs of age that will make your shoes look abused rather than worn. The conditioner keeps the shoe soft, supple and smooth. Most people apply conditioner to leather dress shoes every three months or so. However, those with leather outdoor boots sometimes do so less often, as this will help the leather take on a more rugged look over time.
Keep your shoes stretched out.
If your leather shoes are a bit small, or if they pinch in certain places, they will cause blisters and other foot aches. You can use a shoe stretcher, available at most shoe stores and shoe repair shops, to lengthen or widen the shoe to your foot. Some people place a shoe form or stretcher in their shoes whenever they aren't being worn. This can keep the shoes in good form. If you don't keep a stretcher in your shoes at all times, you can still use it to correct any issues. If the shoe is pinching only in certain places, you can apply a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution to the problem area, then wear the shoe around the house with thick socks and some well-placed moleskin for a week.
Restore the shape and become one with your shoes.
If your shoes are out of shape, you can clean them, apply saddle soap and a leather conditioner, stuff them with a shoe form, stretcher or newspapers and leave them for two nights. Alternatively, you can wear them around the house to break them back into shape. This process of softening and shaping is great for the health of your feet, allowing the shoes and your feet to become friends over time.
Your leather shoes and other leather goods are an investment, and if you treat them well they can last for seasons, or even a lifetime. You don't have to "spit shine," as they used to suggest way back when, but you can build your polishing kit with a few tools that will make a regular care routine easy for you to maintain.
Taking care of your leather dress shoes or boots is a big part of keeping them comfortable and extending their lifespan. But you may have found there is an overwhelming amount of information out there about how to care for leather shoes. It seems everybody has a different opinion about how to go about taking care of such a simple thing. However, a few things are clear when it comes to shoe care. This guide is a simple set of principles that everyone can follow when taking care of leather shoes.
Realize that leather is skin, both figuratively and literally.
The leather used to make your brogues, boots, loafers or sneakers acts as a second skin for your feet, and is just as sensitive to improper care or neglect. You need to take care of your leather shoes almost as lovingly as you might for your skin with proper skincare supplies or hair care products.
Clean your leather shoes on a regular schedule.
While most people think of polishing their leather, cleaning before you start waxing and buffing can make a big difference. Regular cleaning can prevent early wear, stains and discoloring. To clean your leather shoes, start by wiping away dust and debris using a soft, dry cloth or a horsehair brush. Next, use soapy water and a soft cloth to clean the surface. Wipe away the excess. Then gently apply saddle soap all over the shoes, both inside and out. Wipe away the excess again. This will effectively clean your leather shoes without damaging them. It's a tried-and-true combination.
Polish shoes for the best looks.
After cleaning your shoes, you are ready to apply a polish or wax. Make sure you choose the correct color that matches the leather. A universal clear polish is okay, but it just doesn't have quite the same shine as color-matched polishes. Wax-based polish is available in black, brown, tan and wine. Sometimes you can find some more specialty colors that better match your needs, but you can typically find a basic color polish that works with your shoes. The purpose of polishes and waxes is not just to make your shoes look great, but also to protect them from the elements. Water damage is a real threat to leather shoes, so be sure to protect them. If your polish or wax does not contain a waterproofing element, apply a spray-on waterproofer after polishing.
Use leather conditioner to retain moisture.
Just like skin moisturizer or lotion prevents your skin from getting dry and cracked, leather conditioner does the same for your shoes. It is best to prevent cracks and other wear before it starts. Keeping your leather conditioned and supple will help fight these signs of age that will make your shoes look abused rather than worn. The conditioner keeps the shoe soft, supple and smooth. Most people apply conditioner to leather dress shoes every three months or so. However, those with leather outdoor boots sometimes do so less often, as this will help the leather take on a more rugged look over time.
Keep your shoes stretched out.
If your leather shoes are a bit small, or if they pinch in certain places, they will cause blisters and other foot aches. You can use a shoe stretcher, available at most shoe stores and shoe repair shops, to lengthen or widen the shoe to your foot. Some people place a shoe form or stretcher in their shoes whenever they aren't being worn. This can keep the shoes in good form. If you don't keep a stretcher in your shoes at all times, you can still use it to correct any issues. If the shoe is pinching only in certain places, you can apply a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution to the problem area, then wear the shoe around the house with thick socks and some well-placed moleskin for a week.
Restore the shape and become one with your shoes.
If your shoes are out of shape, you can clean them, apply saddle soap and a leather conditioner, stuff them with a shoe form, stretcher or newspapers and leave them for two nights. Alternatively, you can wear them around the house to break them back into shape. This process of softening and shaping is great for the health of your feet, allowing the shoes and your feet to become friends over time.
