How to clean leather shoes?
Leather is the ideal material to make quality footwear . Their flexibility and durability make leather shoes as comfortable as they are resistant, making them their favorites for many.
There are countless models of leather shoes for men, women and children and they all require minimal care to keep them looking new for longer. Maintaining leather footwear is not complicated, but it includes periodic cleaning, always using appropriate materials that do not damage or stain the leather or suede. With the arrival of autumn, you may be taking footwear out of the closet for the cooler days, so in this article we give you all the keys on how to clean leather shoes to leave them perfect with very little effort.
You may also be interested in: How to clean leather sandals.
Topics Covered in This Article
Materials to clean leather shoes
When cleaning leather shoes, it is essential to use the appropriate utensils and use suitable products that do not, under any circumstances, erode the leather or cause unwanted discoloration.
You can find different cleaning kits for leather shoes , but, in general, as basic tools, you will need an ultra-soft bristle brush with which to remove dust and surface dirt and a very soft cloth , such as chamois or a microfiber cloth. If, in addition to cleaning, you want to leave your shoes shiny, a small sponge will be ideal for leaving them shiny without damaging the leather.
As for the most appropriate products, a little warm water and a few drops of neutral soap can be more than enough to remove general dirt and also that adhered in the form of, for example, mud splashes.
For other types of stains, which may be persistent, such as grease stains, it may be necessary to resort to specific products or professional services to eliminate them without risking those leather shoes, probably expensive. There are also some homemade tricks, such as rubbing the grease stain with a little milk or even a few drops of lemon juice, but in these cases you always have to do a previous test , applying the ‘remedy’ in a non-visible area of the footwear (inside) to check that it does not suffer any color alteration.
Finally, among the materials, you must also include some specific cream, polish or wax that provides leather shoes, especially boots and ankle boots, with the hydration they need to maintain their flexibility and remain completely comfortable.
How to clean leather shoes step by step
Especially if you take care of your shoes properly, cleaning them, more thoroughly, from time to time to preserve them better , is a simple task that can be summarized in the following steps.
- Remove any removable , non-leather elements from the shoe, for example, laces if they have them, or any decorations such as a metal buckle. You will have to clean these elements separately.
- Wipe a clean, dry chamois cloth over the entire surface of the leather shoe, without scrubbing. The idea is simply to remove dust and dirt that is not very stuck.
- If the footwear has small adhered particles, take a brush specifically for leather shoes , with ultra-soft bristles and brush lightly . It will be easier for you if you hold the shoe by putting one of your hands inside and hitting it with the brush with the other. To remove any dirt that may be right between the sole and the upper, a small brush of the same characteristics can be a good help. It will also help you remove any dirt left in the leather folds of the shoe.
- Once brushing is finished, check if there are any stains or marks. If so, try to remove it using a slightly damp chamois (never wet or soaked) with a drop of neutral soap. Wipe the cloth not only over the stain but also over the entire skin, although gently hitting it is especially important.
- Wait until the footwear is completely dry and then apply a specific product for leather shoes such as a cream that helps hydrate them or simply a colorless polish or shoe polish of the appropriate shade.
- Wait again for the footwear to dry completely and finally go over it with another clean chamois , making small circular movements until the shoes are perfect and shiny.
How to clean suede shoes
Turned leather, like suede, has a ‘plush’ texture, soft and pleasant, but it is also especially delicate against friction and stains . Despite what is believed, suede shoes can be cleaned, although it is important to do it the right way to avoid deterioration.
Brushing is the key to keeping them beautiful for longer. To do this, suede requires a stiff-bristled brush , which you will have to use dry, brushing the leather in its own direction , that is, from the instep to the toe and from top to bottom.
When faced with dust and superficial dirt, gentle brushing is usually enough to clean suede shoes, but if you detect any stains or the shoes are really dirty as a whole, you can also wipe them with a chamois cloth moistened with water with a minimal amount of soap. neutral (dishwashing soap by hand can work). Pass it over the entire shoe and, if necessary, work on the stain with light circular movements. If you notice soap residue left, remove it with another clean, damp cloth . Finally, wait until the shoes are completely dry and brush them again, as we have indicated.
Do you need to clean other fur clothing items? Maybe this article on How to Clean a Fur Coat will help you .
How to clean leather shoes inside
Cleaning the inside of leather shoes is also important, not only so that the leather maintains its flexibility and the footwear remains comfortable, but also to eliminate traces of sweat and possible bad odors .
Doing it is very easy because all you have to do is use a cloth moistened with soap and water and lightly wipe it over the entire inside of the shoe. If there is persistent dirt or odor, you can also add a few drops of ammonia to the water, but in this case, do a small test before passing the cloth over the entire skin. Furthermore, before using the shoes again or storing them for the next season, it is important to check that they are completely dry .
If you want to know tricks for cleaning leather from other household objects, we recommend this article on How to Clean Leather .
If you want to read more articles similar to How to Clean Leather Shoes , we recommend that you enter our Home Cleaning category .
