How to care for leather shoes to keep them looking cool

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Don't wear the same pair every day, avoid puddles, and be sure to use mold holders.

Shoes made of genuine leather require daily care, otherwise the delicate material may crack and lose shape. And then only an expensive restoration in a specialized dry cleaner will be able to return the original look to shoes or sneakers.

Here are some life hacks that will make your leather shoes look like new, even if you've worn them for years.

1. Use specialized care products

These can be purchased from the same shoe store where you purchased your pair. Ideally, if you get a set like this:

• Cleaning agent. It is usually sold as a shampoo or foam.
• Cream. These products are formulated with fats or oils that maintain the natural moisture level of the skin and make it soft and supple. Creams are available with different pigments (besides black, white and brown, there are other options), and they need to be selected according to the color of a particular pair.
• Polish. It is a silicone-based product that, when applied, gives the leather surface a shine.
• Impregnation. It is a protective water-repellent spray that improves the durability of the shoe.
• Brush for footwear. Choose a tool with soft bristles. If you have several pairs of leather shoes of different colors, you will need to create a separate brush for each.
• Spacers-form holders. They are necessary for both drying and storing leather shoes.

2. Start caring for your shoes immediately after purchase

As soon as you bring a new pair home, treat its surface with a greasy cream, and after a couple of hours, when it is absorbed, with a leather impregnation.

Nikita Zakharov Expert of the SuperStep sneaker store.

Test spray on an inconspicuous area of shoes or boots before spraying your shoes. For example - at the top of the heel. The product should not change the color of the skin or leave other marks.

Make sure that the impregnation also falls on the line of the joint between the outsole and the upper: this will prevent leakage.

The protective layer must be renewed at least once a month. In wet weather, the water-repellent impregnation should be applied before every exit to the street.

3. Watch the weather conditions

Do not wear leather shoes if it is raining or sleet outside. When there is too much moisture, even impregnation will not save the material. Skin that has absorbed water will lose its softness and elasticity when dry, become rough and crack easily. In addition, water and salt stains can appear on the surface of the shoes.

If going outside in wet weather cannot be avoided, remember to thoroughly spray your skin with a water-repellent spray each time before.

4. If your shoes get wet, dry them immediately

This is the first thing you should do when you come home with wet shoes or boots. The longer the skin is exposed to moisture, the more its quality will suffer.

Take out the insoles, place the mold holders inside for proper ventilation, and place the boots in an open area in a well-ventilated area.

Ideal if the mold holders are made of wood: this material absorbs moisture and unpleasant odors well.

But even plastic options are better than nothing.

Never dry your leather shoes on a radiator, hair dryer or in direct sunlight. High temperature can damage the surface, change the properties of glue, impregnation. Because of this, the shoes run the risk of drying out. In addition, it may become harder or leak water.

To dry your shoes faster, place moisture-wicking silica gel bags, a soft absorbent towel, or paper towel balls inside.

5. Don't wear the same pair for several days in a row

In general, leather shoes and boots should be dried after each wear. Moreover, you need to do this for at least a day, if you have not taken them off for a long time. The fact is that the feet sweat when walking - and moisture, again, can spoil delicate material. Therefore, it is best to wear a leather pair in a day or two, alternating with other shoes.

6. Don't leave your shoes dirty

Slight dirt and dust can be wiped off with a soft cloth (for example, from an old cotton T-shirt) or removed with a sponge slightly dampened in warm water.

Nikita Zakharov

It is important to do this after each wear: leather is a porous material and quickly absorbs dirt, which is then very difficult to clean.

If you seriously stain your leather shoes, clean them as soon as you get home. Otherwise, dirt can bite into the surface of the shoe, and this will lead to the formation of stubborn stains. Use a damp cloth to wipe off the most obvious unwanted elements, including rain and snow.

Then, wash your shoes with the same soft cloth or sponge dipped in soapy water. Better yet, use a special cleansing shampoo or skin foam.

All this does not apply to suede shoes: after returning home, you just need to blot them with a clean towel and put them in a well-ventilated place where there is no moisture. Clean the suede with a special brush and only dry.

7. Treat shoes with cream or wax every 6-7 socks

And be sure to use the cream after every wet cleaning.

The product should be applied to dry, clean shoes. Do this in a circular motion using the sponge included in the cream pack or a soft microfiber cloth. The cream will protect the skin from the appearance of microcracks, and will also help it maintain its elasticity and shine for a longer time.

In the end, you can apply a polish and rub the surface with a soft brush or special napkins until a characteristic shine appears.

8. Be sure to use a shoehorn

This is important so as not to wrinkle the backdrop. Often it is he who serves as the element that holds the entire structure of the upper of the shoe on itself. If you injure your heel, your shoes or boots will quickly lose their shape.

9. Store your shoes properly when the season is over

When placing a pair for long-term storage, be sure to clean it from dust and other contaminants and treat it with cream. And keep in mind: genuine leather is a soft enough material that easily sags and bends, so it needs to be supported.

Nikita Zakharov

To prevent wrinkles and creases on the shoe, send it to storage only after you install the mold holders inside.

If you do not have mold holders, put at least paper rolled into dense balls inside the pair.

Then place the shoes in a box or storage bag. This will help protect your skin from dust. Store at room temperature and where there is no excess moisture.