Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to care for leather shoes. Do you cherish your beautiful leather shoes but worry about how neglect could impact their longevity? Do you possess a treasured, broken-in pair of leather boots that requires some TLC to revive to their former glory?
If so, you have come to the right place! We have been in the shoe business for over 30 years and have learned much about caring for leather shoes. We know how to protect leather shoes to keep them looking great. We’ll walk you through everything from cleaning them correctly, to how to use polish and conditioner on your leather boots and shoes.
Don’t be intimidated because you don’t know how to care for your leather shoes. Instead, we want you to have confidence knowing that you can easily care for them and watch them become even more beautiful with time.
This article is for cleaning leather shoes, NOT suede shoes. Learn about keeping suede looking great here.
You might also find these guides helpful in taking care of your shoes:
Stretching Leather Shoes
Proper Foot Measuring
Caring for Wet Leather Shoes
Editor’s Note: Our How To Care for Leather Shoe Guide was last updated on March 3, 2024.
Here are my best leather shoe cleaning and conditioning tips in 4 easy steps:
1. How to Clean Leather Shoes
-Stuff Your Leather Shoes
First, stuff the leather shoes with newspaper or an old clean rag to hold their shape while you work on them. Additionally, remove the shoelaces from your shoes if they have any.
-Brush Your Leather Shoes
To ensure your shoes are clean and dirt-free, brush them with a soft bristle shoe brush. Pay special attention to the edges where the leather meets the sole. You’ll want to remove any dust, dirt, and debris. I like the quality of this horse hair brush.
A simple horse hair brush is an excellent tool for keeping your shoes clean and well-maintained. This brush not only effectively removes dust but can also be used for buffing out moisturizers and polishing in steps two and three. This one is reasonably priced. You will not regret this purchase.
-Wipe Your Leather Shoes
Afterward, gently clean your shoes by wiping them with a slightly damp cloth or using a spray bottle to spritz a light mist, then wipe it off with a dry cloth.
2. How to Condition Leather Shoes
Many women wonder if they need to condition their leather shoes. Conditioning leather is as important as moisturizing your skin. Think of leather conditioner as a moisturizer for your shoes and boots; this nourishment will keep leather shoes from cracking or discoloring. Conditioning is important in caring for your leather shoes.
Note conditioner is different from shoe polish. Think of conditioner as a face cream and polish as a foundation.
Many leather conditioners are on the market, but the best leather shoe cleaner and conditioner, from my experience cleaning shoes, Smiths Natual Leather Balm, is the best. Smith’s Leather Balm is a nontoxic leather conditioner. Smith’s is a small family-run business, and the balm is made in Maine.
-Apply Conditioning Cream
After cleaning your leather shoes, apply a small amount of the leather conditioner or balm on a soft cloth and rub in a circular motion on the leather surface until completely absorbed.
Remember, when using conditioners on leather, apply it onto a cloth first, not directly on the leather surface. Just a tiny amount will do wonders.
Note that putting topical conditioners on leather can result in a gentle darkening effect. Over the years of caring for our leather shoes, We have found that most leathers will only darken up to their original shade. Many leather shoes will only darken slightly upon application and return to the original color within 24 hours after the balm has dried. So, there’s no need to worry about dramatic changes to your leather goods.
The rich variations in color are what make leather genuinely unique. Faux leather lacks the richness of leather. Embrace the different shades, and don’t worry about the color changes that can happen when you condition your leather shoes. If you’re concerned about color differences, try applying your leather conditioner to a small spot on the back of the heel to see the results.
TIP: If you want to know how to care for leather shoes, you don’t need special cloth for this step. Professional shoe cleaners often use a simple old cotton T-shirt cut into squares. I recommend doing the same.
-Buff Your Leather Shoes
Once you’ve applied the conditioner, give each shoe a quick buff using your soft brush. Apply moderate pressure as you brush. The friction created by the brush will warm up the conditioner, bringing out a beautiful shine.
How To Polish Your Leather Shoes
Polishing creams add another layer of protection and give your shoes a fresh, almost new look. Think of polished cream as a liquid face foundation. Polishing creams are great for covering up scuff marks and imperfections from wear and tear in leather shoes.
If your goal is to revive the original color of your leather shoes, cream polishes are the top choice. They contain a high amount of pigments, ensuring the restoration of color vibrancy.
Now, keep in mind that polishes are not required. If you like how your shoes look after the conditioning step, skip the polishing cream. While a polishing cream can work wonders on your work pumps, its high-shine look may not be what you are after in your casual black motorcycle boots.
-Choose A Shoe Cream
If you are ready to polish, close a leather shoe cream color as close to the original as possible. If the polish is slightly lighter than the shoes, it’s okay. You don’t need to match, but get as close as possible to the original color. You can’t go wrong with Meltonian Shoes Creams. It comes in 63 colors.
-Apply A Shoe Cream
Next, make sure to place a towel or some newspapers underneath. Shoe polish can create quite a mess; removing it from the carpet is challenging.
Grab a clean, soft cloth and apply the shoe polish the same way you applied the conditioner: small, circular motions. And, like the conditioner, a little can go a long way. Some people like to use their hands in this step. I find this messy, but the hand method is effective if you are game.
Start with one thin layer, and then look them over. If needed, go ahead and apply a second layer. Then, let them dry for about 20 minutes.
-Buff Out The Polish
Part of knowing how to care for leather shoes is proper buffing. It’s time to make those leather shoes look amazing. Grab your horse hair soft brush and give them a good buffing. Work that polish into the leather. This step blends the cream, removes excess polish, and raises the polish’s temperature to a high shine. If needed, you can repeat the process and apply another coat of shoe cream polish to cover your bases and repeat the buffing step. After that, wipe them down with a nice, soft cloth. Step back and enjoy your shiny new shoes.
4. How To Store Leather Shoes
Have you ever pulled out your favorite boots in the Fall only to find them covered in dust? If so, you know how surprising it can be to discover how much dust can accumulate in just a few months. Knowing how to care for leather shoes means learning how to store them. Don’t let your shoes suffer. Store your leather shoes in dust bags, original shoe boxes, or shoe storage boxes in your closet to keep them safe and dust-free.
If you’ve got the space, hold onto the original shoe boxes and neatly stack them in your closet. If you don’t have room, consider using a fabric one. They do the job of preventing dust from settling in. Some brands offer them at no cost at purchase.
How Often Should I Clean Leather Shoes?
The frequency of cleaning depends on several factors, but as a general rule, women’s leather shoes should be cleaned once a month if worn regularly. However, more frequent cleaning may be necessary if you live in a harsh climate or frequently walk on dirty or salty streets. Cleaning involves:
-Removing dirt with a soft brush.
-Applying a leather conditioner or balm.
-Finishing with a leather cream with pigment to cover up marks and abrasions.
This routine keeps your shoes pristine and protects them from cracking and other damage, ensuring they continue offering comfort and style for years.
Can You Wear Leather Shoes In The Rain?
Don’t stress if you get caught in the rain on your leather shoes – leather can handle it. While they may absorb some water and show signs of staining and drying, there’s a simple fix. When leather gets wet and dries, it can lose some natural oils and become dry and brittle, eventually resulting in cracks. But no worries! Apply a good balm or conditioner using a soft cloth and brush to restore its condition and keep your shoes looking great.
How To Repair Scuffs On Leather Shoes
Polishing creams are your secret weapon against scuff marks and wear and tear on leather shoes. They effortlessly conceal scuffs and abrasions, leaving your shoes looking fresh and almost brand new. Just like a liquid face foundation covers blemishes on your face, think of polished cream as your shoe’s perfect makeover.
First, clean and condition your shoes or boots as instructed above. Then, apply pigmented shoe cream and buff them out.
How To Clean Black Leather Shoes
Cleaning your black leather shoes is a breeze. Thanks to their dark color, they are less likely to show stains. And even if they need a little cleaning, you’ll have no trouble finding black shoe creams that effortlessly conceal imperfections.
To start:
-Gently remove any loose dirt or dust from your black shoes using a soft cloth or a soft-bristled shoe brush
-Treat your shoes with a top-notch leather conditioner. This will replenish moisture and maintain the suppleness of the leather, preventing cracks and increasing the longevity of your shoes.
-Apply black shoe polish to give your shoes a sleek, glossy appearance.
-Use circular motions with a shoe brush or cloth to distribute the polish evenly.
-Finish off using a clean, dry cloth or brush to buff your shoes until they shine brilliantly.
How To Clean Brown Leather Shoes
Maintaining and cleaning your brown leather shoes is easy. Once they’re clean, choosing a shoe cream that closely matches the original brown color is crucial. When faced with two shades, opt for the lighter one. To begin, gently remove any loose dirt or dust from your brown leather shoes using a soft cloth or a soft-bristled shoe brush. Next, apply a high-quality leather conditioner or balm to keep your shoes moisturized and supple, preventing cracks and extending their lifespan. This step will also help restore your brown leather shoes’ original color and finish. The remaining scratches and abrasions can be concealed with a brown shoe cream.
Conclusion
Now you know how to care for leather shoes. You can make your shoes look their best with the proper cleaning and conditioning techniques.
With these simple steps, you can keep your black and brown leather shoes in top-notch condition. Remember always to use gentle cleaning methods and high-quality products to ensure the longevity of your shoes. And don’t forget to clean and condition your shoes regularly to maintain their appearance and protect the leather from damage. With proper care, your favorite pair of black or brown leather shoes will look stylish and new. So next time you step out in your leather shoes, ensure they are clean, conditioned, and ready to shine. Happy cleaning!
These tips will help ensure that your shoes and boots remain looking great for years to come. So go ahead and show off those beautiful shoes! Happy cleaning
