How to Properly Care for and Maintain Your Leather Shoes

by Samah Alghafri Aug 09, 2023

Leather shoes are a great investment, but they need to be properly cared for in order to last. With a little bit of TLC, your leather shoes can look and feel great for years to come.

Here are some tips on how to properly care for and maintain your leather shoes:

1. Clean your shoes regularly.

The first step to caring for your leather shoes is to clean them regularly. This will remove dirt, dust, and other debris that can build up and damage the leather. You can clean your shoes with a damp cloth or a mild soap and water solution. Be sure to dry your shoes completely after cleaning them.

Here is a video that shows you how to clean your leather shoes:

2. Condition your shoes.

Leather is a natural material, and it needs to be conditioned regularly to keep it from drying out and cracking. You can condition your shoes with a leather conditioner or a leather balm. Be sure to apply the conditioner evenly, and allow it to soak into the leather before buffing it off.

Here is a video that shows you how to condition your leather shoes:

3. Use shoe trees.

Shoe trees help to keep your shoes in shape and prevent them from creasing. You can use cedar shoe trees, which have natural antibacterial properties, or plastic shoe trees. Be sure to size your shoe trees correctly, and insert them into your shoes after each wear.

4. Store your shoes properly.

When you're not wearing your leather shoes, it's important to store them properly. Keep them in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. You can also store your shoes in a dust bag or shoe box.

5. Avoid wearing your shoes in harsh conditions.

Leather shoes are not meant to be worn in harsh conditions, such as rain or snow. If you do get your leather shoes wet, be sure to dry them thoroughly as soon as possible.

6. Don't use harsh chemicals on your shoes.

Avoid using harsh chemicals, such as bleach or ammonia, on your leather shoes. These chemicals can damage the leather and make it brittle.

By following these simple tips, you can help to keep your leather shoes looking and feeling great for years to come.

Here are some additional tips that you may find helpful:

Use a horsehair brush to polish your shoes. This will help to remove dirt and debris and give your shoes a nice shine.
If your shoes are starting to look dry or cracked, you can use a leather repair cream to restore them.
If you get a scuff on your shoes, you can use a shoe polish to touch it up.

If you're not sure how to care for your leather shoes, you can always take them to a professional shoemaker.

I hope these tips help you to keep your leather shoes looking and feeling great for years to come!