How to care for leather shoes so they always look cool

When meeting a person for the first time, many people pay attention to the condition of the shoes. Its cleanliness and shine are necessary components of a neat image, and adhering dirt or stains can ruin even the most thoughtful appearance. With proper care, genuine leather can last for years and still look new and neat. There are several proven ways to clean leather shoes correctly and how to deal with difficult stains.

Use specialized care products

They can be purchased from the same shoe store where you purchased your pair. Ideal if you get this set:

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

How to clean patent leather shoes

Patent leather shoes are not intended for everyday wear: they are afraid of moisture, dryness, and frost. Caring for it is also very specific.

Table 3. How to clean varnished products.

Rule	More details
Do not use regular brushes	They leave scratches and microcracks.
Buy special creams	Conventional products leave a cloudy film.
Pay attention to the composition of the cream	The product must contain glycerin and lanolin.

Start caring for your shoes immediately after purchase

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

Nikita Zakharov

Expert at the SuperStep sneaker store.

Before applying the spray to your shoes, test it on an inconspicuous area of your shoes or boots. 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 reaches the line connecting the sole with the upper: this will prevent leakage.

Photo: Yuliya Alekseeva / Shutterstock

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

Methods for cleaning dirt inside

External cleaning of products is carried out without any special difficulties, unlike internal ones. But treating the inside is just as important as the outside.

Recommendations for cleaning leather pairs inside:

Carry out the procedure with an old toothbrush with hard bristles.
Add a little washing powder to the water to improve cleaning.
When carrying out the procedure, there is no need to be too zealous so as not to spoil the insole.
Once a week, wipe the inner surface with an aqueous solution with the addition of ammonia (10 ml per 1 liter of water). This will help give the material shine.
It is better to clean soft insoles with baby cream. Apply it to problem areas and rub in thoroughly. After 15-20 minutes, wipe off the residue with a cloth.
It is better to clean the textile inner layer with shaving foam. It should be distributed evenly and rubbed with a brush in particularly dirty areas. After half an hour, remove the dirty foam with a dry cloth.
You can get rid of stubborn stains only with the use of special cleaning products. After using them, soak the inside with baby cream.

By following these rules, cleaning the inside of your shoes will not be difficult. But this procedure should be carried out regularly so that the dirt does not have time to be absorbed into the structure of the material.

If your shoes get wet, dry them immediately

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

Photo: StepPro/Shutterstock

Remove the insoles, install mold holders inside to ensure normal ventilation, and place the boots in an open place in a well-ventilated area.

It is 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 leather shoes on a heater, with a hairdryer or in direct sunlight. High temperature can damage the surface, change the properties of the adhesive and impregnation. Because of this, the shoes run the risk of drying out. In addition, it may become stiffer or begin to leak water.

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

And if you throw it in the machine...

No matter how attractive this idea may be, washing leather shoes in a washing machine is not recommended. But if the sneaker manufacturer doesn’t prohibit it, you can take a risk. To do this, put them without laces and insoles in a washing bag, select the delicate mode and turn off the water heating. You will also have to give up powder and squeezing. Paper will help to properly dry leather shoes after washing. This way, moisture is absorbed faster and the sneakers do not become deformed.

This cleaning method is quite rough and risky. It is definitely not suitable for models with decorative details and suede.

Video on the topic

Some manufacturers provide customers with instructions that detail how to care for shoes made of genuine leather. Usually it does not differ from generally accepted rules. But when making a purchase, it is better to check with the seller about the care features of a specific model. You should also pay attention to the fittings, zippers and laces. They also need to be monitored to maintain their presentation.

Don't leave your shoes dirty

Minor 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 moistened with warm water.

Nikita Zakharov

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

If you get your leather boots seriously dirty, clean them as soon as you get home. Otherwise, dirt may become embedded in the surface of the shoe, and this will lead to the formation of permanent stains. Use a damp cloth to remove the most obvious unwanted elements from the surface, including raindrops and snow.

Then wash your shoes with the same soft cloth or sponge soaked in soapy water. Even better, use a special cleaning 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 place them in a well-ventilated place where there is no humidity. Clean suede with a special brush and only dry it.

The importance of timely care for leather shoes

Timely cleansing of dust and dirt is key in shoe care. It is ideal to use a damp cloth to wipe the surface of the product every time after returning from the street. Ignoring this nuance leads to rapid wear of the pair, loss of shine and color. The reason for this is:

the ability of small particles to penetrate the skin;
desiccation of material due to exposure to dust;
gradual cracking under the influence of reagents and salts.

It is worth regularly treating a pair of natural or artificial materials with special compounds: paints, waxes, water-repellent liquids. They can soften the skin, extend its service life and restore the aesthetic appeal of your beloved couple.

Treat your shoes with cream or wax every 6–7 wears

And be sure to use the cream after each wet cleansing.

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

Photo: Olena Yakobchuk / Shutterstock

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

Principles of drying shoes

Washed steam should be dried away from heating devices. You cannot use additional dryers or hair dryers. The skin should dry naturally at room temperature.

The skin should dry naturally at room temperature

This will allow it to return to its previous shape after getting wet without deformation. You can speed up the drying procedure by using paper, pushing it tightly inside.

Cleaning

Due to increased general humidity, as well as the action of dirt and dust, terrible white stains will appear on leather products, causing the shoes to fade and become dull. In order for shoes to last longer, you need to learn how to clean them correctly and competently, and this is done quite simply and quickly. Care is simply necessary for literally any leather, thanks to which the boots will look beautiful and last a very long time. This type of care is especially important in spring and autumn, since due to slush and rain, shoes will be subject to strong negative effects. Regular, correct and competent cleaning will be the key to aesthetics and a long service life for leather products. If you rationally solve such a problem as cleaning leather shoes, then they will last for many seasons.

Boots need protection from external factors with sprays and creams, then they will always look like new. Unique action of the protective composition:

Creates an amazing shine;
Cleaning from dirt and dust;
Skin coloring;
Protective impregnation.

Each type of leather requires its own appropriate cleaning, meaning leather and suede can be cleaned in one way, but nubuck in another. To clean your shoes you will need a set of special brushes of different hardness and a special sponge, as well as wool and flannel rags. It should be taken into account that it is better to clean nubuck and suede in a dry, clean form and only with special sponges and brushes. It is better to carry out this cleaning immediately after coming in from the street; first there is thorough drying, and only then should treatment be done with cream or other protective compounds.

How to clean:

Remove dirt with a soft brush;
Wipe the surface with a dry and then a damp cloth;
A protective composition is applied;
Polishing, the cream is rubbed until shiny with a soft brush;
Processing with a piece of velvet fabric.

How to clean leather products at home

To clean the skin, buy products that are on sale in supermarkets everywhere. Products are produced in the form of sprays, creams, even napkins soaked in cleansing liquid. An important rule is to strictly follow the instructions.

Before use, carry out a test on a small area of the product, preferably even from the wrong side on the fold. If the material is not damaged or changed color, the product can be used.

Attention!

The products are used for various products: belts, clothing, furniture, shoes. But to keep things in the right condition, you need to read the notes on the packaging.

Leather furniture is wiped weekly with a cloth dampened with plain water or soap and water. Moisture after this cleaning is wiped off with soft materials.

Folk cleaning products

Grease stains, oil smudges, and dirt cause the item to lose its beauty and external protective properties. If the material is not cleaned in time, it ceases to retain heat and absorb moisture. Cracks and damage appear on it. The material is torn, and the only thing they do with it is throw it away. To cleanse your skin at home, use folk remedies:

Petrol. Contaminated areas are wiped with cotton wool or a soft rag soaked in gasoline.
A mixture of vinegar and alcohol. Ink from a pen or marker is removed with table vinegar and alcohol. The solution quickly removes these stains.
Cotton rag, soap and water solution. Use the material to wipe a leather jacket or bag, and then remove the moisture with a dry cloth.
Coffee grounds. You need 1 teaspoon of used coffee per 100g of water. Mix and apply to leather item. After cleansing, wipe with dry flannel and shake off any remaining grounds. But if you have to cleanse light skin, this method will not work.

How to remove stains from leather products

Crushed white chalk is suitable for dealing with stains. The contaminated area is slightly moistened and chalk is poured. Shake off the grains only after a day, rinsing the area with boiled water. Instead of chalk, starch is used, which also fights stains well.

Attention!

Do not use aggressive agents such as acetone or nail polish remover. This will only ruin the skin.

A product consisting of turpentine and talc also removes stains. The ingredients are mixed, applied to the stained area, a piece of glass is placed on top, and pressed with a heavy object. When the product dries, wipe the area with a dry cloth. Oil paint stains can be removed with lemon juice or a cut piece of onion. Afterwards the item is lubricated with glycerin or petroleum jelly. This method only works on light-colored skin.

How to deal with scuffs

Clothes made of leather are often worn on the elbows, cuffs and shoulders. First, the area brightens, small cracks appear, and then it comes off piece by piece. At different stages they use their own methods of dealing with scuffs.

When the item just begins to crack, treat the area with shoe polish to match the color of the material. Then wipe with flannel to smooth out the cream and allow it to be absorbed.
If the skin crumbles, use aerosol nitro paint. Paint clothes in a thin layer. This method, similar to varnish, helps to hold the scales together.
To restore a badly damaged item, to fill torn areas, use liquid leather.

Traditional recipes for stains

There are three recipes that will help you prepare effective stain removers.

Starch

To remove grease stains, you can use starch. Sprinkle it on the contaminated area of the surface, then rub it in with a dry sponge or rag. Then the treated areas are wiped with damp wipes.

Bulb

The easiest way to remove stains is with an onion. It is cut into several parts and rubbed into the surface. To prevent shoes from smelling like onions, they are washed with soapy water and sprayed with deodorant.

Vinegar for white stains

To remove white stains from the skin, use a vinegar solution. 20 grams of salt and acetic acid are added to a liter of water. After this, the place where there are white stains is wiped with the prepared liquid.

How to clean the inside at home

You need to clean your shoes not only on the outside, but also on the inside.

Toothbrush and solution of washing powder with soda

A solution made from soda, washing powder and water will help clean the dirt inside. A toothbrush is soaked in this liquid and then wiped over the dirty surface.

Ammonia

A mixture made from ammonia is considered an effective anti-pollution agent. To prepare it, 45 milliliters of alcohol are added to a liter of warm liquid. Then a brush is moistened in the solution and used to rub the shoes.

Children's cream for thin leather insoles

Any baby cream is suitable for cleaning leather insoles. It is evenly distributed over the surface of the insoles and left for 20-35 minutes. Then the remaining cream is wiped off with wet wipes.

Shaving foam

Regular shaving foam will help remove stains from the insoles. It contains components that effectively fight pollution. The foam is applied to the contaminated area and wiped off after 40-45 minutes.

Carpet cleaner

Stubborn stains inside shoes can be removed using carpet cleaning products. After applying such compositions, the cleaned insoles are treated with baby cream to soften them.

Special foam for suede and leather

Some stores sell special foam for treating leather and suede surfaces. It is applied to the insoles and washed off after 5-10 minutes.

How to store leather products

Proper storage of clothing helps maintain the shape and appearance of the item, and also protects the material from dust and dirt.

Leather items are needed only in certain seasons, so before putting them away for long-term storage, they are cleaned of dirt and moisturized.
The sun's rays damage this material. Store clothes in dark places. A closet or dark dressing room, without access to street light, will do.
Cover things with a cloth or put them in a box. Polyethylene cape is harmful to natural leather. It is better to use a fabric case.
Leather shoes are not worn for 1-2 seasons, during which time they lose their shape and look unkempt. Therefore, it is tightly stuffed with paper or cardboard. After cleaning, it must be dried in the same form.
Aggressive products are not suitable for cleaning natural leather. Hard brushes are also not used.
As soon as dirt appears on clothes, timely cleaning is carried out.

Genuine leather is of high quality. Leatherette does not require regular cleaning or drying. But natural material requires careful care. To cleanse dirt, use products purchased in the store or made yourself. You can clean your skin at home using one or other means. The main thing is to strictly follow the instructions and not neglect practical advice.

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Recommendations and tips for every day

Leather products are difficult to classify as budget purchases. However, their price is justified by convenience, comfort and long-lasting wear. Daily rules will allow you to extend the service life:

Do not leave shoes near heating appliances.
Remove the insole from the wet pair and do not put it on until completely dry.
Use shoe polish promptly and regularly.
Do not leave the product exposed to sunlight.
Do not store dirty or dusty shoes.

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