How to clean leather sandals

Whether your leather sandals maintain the magnificent appearance of the first day depends largely on proper cleaning and conservation. This type of footwear, which is characterized by being made of leather bands or strips that start from the sole, it is easy to clean, although it requires some practice. The basic steps to leave your leather sandals, leather or suede, impeccable are as follows:

1. Leave your sandals as open as possibleThat is, if the shoe has several buckles or Velcro, open them all to facilitate cleaning.
2. It starts by passing a shoe brush, with soft bristles, all over the sandal: sole, heel and straps or bands inside and out. Do it gently, without squeezing or scrubbing. The idea is simply to remove adhering dust and more superficial dirt.
3. If your sandals are suede, then grab a soft bristle brush, moisten it with a little water and pass it all over your skin. If the sandals are very dirty or have stains, you can also add a drop of soap (dishwasher by hand). In the case of sandals with bands or leather straps, opt for a microfiber cloth or for one that does not leave lint, moisten it with a little water and pass it over the entire leather surface. You can also add a drop of soap, preferably specific for leather shoes.
4. If you have added any type of soap to clean your leather sandals, it is important remove it in its entiretyTherefore, the next step is to take the brush or cloth again and do a second pass only moistened with water.
5. Once any trace of soap has been removed, all that is left is let the leather sandals dry in a ventilated areabut never directly exposed to sunlight or close to a heat source (heating).
6. When you have the sandals clean and dry, finish by giving them a last revieweither with a suede brush or with a clean, dry cloth to shine the leather.

You already have the leather straps of your sandals like new, but what happens with the interior and the sole, which is in direct contact with the foot? The inside of the sandal must also be cleaned thoroughly so that the shoe looks perfect, avoiding stains that may appear over time or even darker areas that become marked. Cleaning the sandals from the inside also helps eliminate possible unpleasant odors.

1. To clean the sole and inner surface of strips or bands that are otherwise inaccessible, first moisturizes the skin with the help of a cloth and a minimal amount of water.
2. Next, mix baking soda with a little water until obtaining a paste texture.
3. Take a little of the mixture and, with a toothbrush that you no longer use, apply a small amount to the skin while using the brush. circular movementswithout the need to squeeze or scrub.
4. Pour the baking soda all over the sole and the inside of the leather strips and let it act for a few 15 minutes.
5. After this time, go removing it with a clean, dry cloth. Do it carefully, without pressing so as not to scratch the sole.

• When cleaning it is essential to avoid excess water, because this element in abundant quantities would undoubtedly damage the skin. It is also important that you do not put your sandals on until you check that they are completely dry after cleaning.
• For difficult or persistent stains, you have specific products that can make them disappear without damaging the skin. Remember that any substance you use for cleaning (a drop of soap, baking soda…) after applying it and letting it act for the necessary time, you must remove it completely, either with a cloth or by brushing.
• Regarding maintenance, the skin of the sandals (leather) needs to be sufficiently hydrated so that it remains in good condition and without cracking. A little specific cream for this type of footwear will provide the hydration it requires, also creating a ‘waterproof’ layer to protect it from possible water stains.

As you can see, cleaning leather sandals is very easy, but it is an essential practice if you want to keep them looking like new for longer.

Now that you know how to clean leather sandals, don’t miss these articles on How to Clean Leather Shoes and How to Clean a Suede Bag.

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