How to Care for Leather Shoes

You’ve invested in a brand new pair of leather shoes and are all set to show them off. After all, there’s hardly any outfit that these wonders can’t pep up. But a couple of weeks down the line, they’re beginning to show signs of wear. Not what you expected, right? Well, we show you how to get them looking as fabulous as they were the day you bought them. Caring for leather requires effort as it can dry out, crack, and get mouldy. The occasional wipe-down isn’t enough to keep your leather shoes in good shape. So, if you want your gorgeous leather shoes to really last, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.

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Leather Needs TLC

Leather is durable yet delicate and requires regular maintenance. Simply applying a coat of polish is not enough. You need to clean and condition it properly too. Since leather is essentially an organic material, it will dry out and crack if not moisturised using a leather conditioner. There’s little you can do once this happens except to toss your shoes into the trash.

1. Remember the Two C’s and the Two P’s

Make your leather footwear last with simple but regular care. With a little time and effort, those expensive shoes will look almost as good as new even years down the line. Keep in mind the two C’s–cleaning and conditioning–and the two P’s–polishing and protecting!

1.1 Cleaning Leather

The next time you buy a pair of leather shoes, find out if the manufacturer also produces leather cleaners. There are generic brands, of course, but certain shoes, like designer leather footwear, may require specific products. Before cleaning, take out the shoelaces and any other removable components. Next, get rid of dirt and dust using a soft-bristled brush. Take a suitable leather shoe cleaner and apply it over the entire surface of each shoe. You can also use saddle soap if it’s easier to come by. Work your way through the leather using the same soft-bristled brush, paying special attention to areas that are scuffed. Let the shoes dry for about 20 minutes before moving to the next step.

1.2. Conditioning Leather

Just like your skin and hair, leather becomes dry after cleaning, since it also requires care like skin care & hair care. Conditioning them is, therefore, an indispensable part of ensuring your shoes look great. Using a soft cloth, apply a dollop of leather conditioner to shoes and rub in a gentle circular motion. Remove any excess and let it set in.

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1.3 Polishing Leather

Once your leather shoes are nice and moisturised, it’s time to get down to polishing. Lanolin-based beeswax polish is ideal. Get a top-quality polish, if possible, and choose a colour that matches your shoes. Light-coloured footwear can be shined with neutral-coloured polish if you can’t find one that matches the hue. Use a soft brush or a cloth to apply the polish, leave it to set for a couple of minutes, and shine your shoes using the same brush/cloth.

1.4 Protecting Leather

No matter how much you may love the rain, splashing around in it in your leather shoes is a big mistake. If there’s one thing that can ruin leather in a snap, it’s moisture. Waterproof your shoes using a spray-on water repellent or a wax-based polish. These breathable repellents help to keep away excess moisture, leaving behind a smooth pair of shoes for you to flaunt.

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2. Know Your Leather

One of the first steps to knowing how to care for leather shoes is to determine what type of leather you’re dealing with. For instance, maintaining suede will differ from caring for patent leather. There’s no one-instruction-fits-all guide.

2.1 Full Grain Leather Shoes

Full-grain leather is leather that hasn’t been buffed or sanded to correct imperfections on the surface. It’s among the most durable types of leather and also the one that needs the least care. Still, there are a few to-do’s you need to follow to keep it looking good. You can begin by cleaning off dirt with a dry cloth. Follow this up by wiping the shoes with a damp piece of cloth. Let them air-dry away from direct sunlight and other heat sources that can cause the leather to dry out. Finish with a couple of coats of cream polish in a neutral colour or use a polish that matches the shade of your shoes. Then buff for a gorgeous shine. You could also use a liquid polish but we recommend staying away from it because it doesn’t do much to condition leather.

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2.2 Oiled Leather Shoes

Those glossy leather shoes of yours are undoubtedly made of oiled leather. Like full-grain leather, it’s durable and easy to maintain. However, keeping the shine intact calls for a bit of work. Start by wiping off dirt with a dry cloth and then following up with leather cleaner. Wait until the shoes have air-dried before working in a leather protector and restorer made of oil and other non-water soluble substances such as lanolin. These products help to waterproof oiled leather. However, they can leave your shoes looking a tad darker, so don’t panic if this happens.

2.3 Patent Leather Shoes

Patent leather shoes, with their highly glossy finish, need a surprisingly small amount of care. However, unlike full-grain and oiled leather shoes, they age very fast. Scratches are also very visible. Keep them away from pets, especially kittens and puppies, which are notorious for nibbling on shoes! Mild soap and a soft, damp cloth are an awesome combo for removing dust and dirt from patent leather shoes. You can follow up with patent leather cleaner to return the glossiness to your shoes in no time.

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2.4 Suede and Nubuck Leather Shoes

Use an ordinary eraser when you’re dealing with dirt and smudges on suede and nubuck shoes. You can also use a damp cloth for more stubborn grime. Do follow up with a soft brush to clean any remaining particles. Stay away from wire brushes and polishes, unless they’ve been designed for the same. You can use a silicone spray to waterproof the surface of your shoes.

3. Keep Them Away From Water

The primary concern of any leather accessory is that it should be kept nowhere close to water. Water is the biggest enemy of leather as it tends to leave an ever-lasting mark. Even if you use water on the shoe, ensure that you clean it off with a dry cloth. If the shoe gets completely wet, it is important to soak up the water and pat it dry. Moreover, the shoe should not be left directly under the sun as heat from the sun, or even a hair dryer can severely harm it.

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4. Invest in Quality Leather Shoes

As we all know, leather is a type of material that can be heavily imitated in the market so it is important to know how to take care of leather shoes. It requires a close study to identify what is real leather and what is an imitation. Therefore, someone willing to invest in leather shoes should study the quality before making a purchase. Walking into the professional world, a pair of leather shoes will stand out to be very important for your corporate endeavours. A pair of fake leather shoes can easily be identified and thoroughly weaken your impression.

5. Carry a Dust Bag When You Travel

Dust bags are important when you wish to keep your leather shoes safe from the clutches of damage. Dust can accumulate y as you frequently start using them and eventually cause leather shoes to degrade. If you are passionate about your leather shoes, it is recommended to keep them in a dust bag to prevent any damage. The bag will protect from staining and allow the shoe to breathe. Moreover,  dust bags are travel friendly and allow you to make it easier to easily carry your pair anywhere and everywhere.

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6. Don’t wear your shoes every day

Like our skin, leather is a material that needs to be able to breathe. For those working in the corporate and professional world, it is important to invest in leather shoes. That’s because leather shoes are the go-to pair for daily office wear as well as crucial client meetings. Therefore, keep two or more pairs of leather shoes so that you can alternate between them and give your shoes time to get a breather. Moreover, the sweat from your feet can increase the creasing, staining, and scuffing of the shoes. Therefore, allowing the sweat to dry can prove to be useful for the long life of your shoes.

7. Clean them at regular intervals

It can be very responsive to own a pair of leather shoes and be knowledgeable about how to care for leather shoes. They are high-maintenance. Leather shoes require effort to look good whenever you step into them. If you are passionate about your leather shoes and want your pair to last longer, you will have to clean them at regular intervals. It is advised to keep a small shoe brush or microfiber cloth handy to clean the shoes. Too much dirt on the shoes can cause them to decay faster. Moreover, if you keep them clean, it can save you time for the next use.

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8. Deep clean them every 6 wears

Leather shoes are also susceptible to developing cracks if they are not used for a long time. Therefore, to keep them maintained one must know how to take care of leather shoes in the right way, it is advised to polish your shoes after every sixth use so that there is a healthy balance. The shoe cream is better than wax as it gives shoes a natural shine. Moreover, it offers more protection to your shoe and helps to hide blemishes. A pig hair brush will also help the polish look better if you want a better finish. 

FAQ

1. How do you make leather shoes last longer?

Allow the shoes to breathe, and be cautious that they don’t lose their structure and shape. Moisture the shoes and take effective care of them by keeping them clean and tidy.

2. How do you preserve leather shoes?

To avoid causing damage to the shoes, use a leather conditioner. Instead of storing the shoes in a shoe box, put them in a dirt bag to prevent moulding and fungus. Use good shoe polish to keep them shiny.

3. What spoils leather shoes?

Leather shoes should strictly be kept away from sunlight. It has been noticed that keeping these shoes directly under sunlight can fade them. Moreover, it can lead to excessive drying and cracking.

4. How long do real leather shoes last?

If you know how to take care of leather shoes, they will last for longer periods. With the right care, genuine leather shoes should last for at least 10 to 20 years. How well you take care of the shoes will determine everything.

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Prepare to show off your leather shoes in all their glory thanks to our useful guide on how to care for leather shoes. Whether it’s a pair of your formal shoes or the casual shoes this guide will help you to take care of your shoes. Pair you nubuck ankle boots with attractive stitch details that would pair excellently with chinos, or shiny patent leather heels that would immediately dress up a pencil skirt, you can keep them looking almost brand new. Leather shoes are an investment and it’s only fitting that you give them the TLC they deserve. Take care of your babies and they’ll serve you well for years to come.

To know more such tips and trends keep following Infifashion. Do let us know in the comments section if these tips helped you guys!

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