Taking care of leather shoes that are made by famous brands can seem like a difficult task, but leather is very resilient if it is treated with a little bit of TLC; therefore, you only need to follow some easy and simple steps and tips to get the task accomplished.
To properly care for leather shoes, whether they are dress shoes, boots, or casual sneakers, there are just two fundamental elements that need to be kept in mind: keep them clean, and keep them dry.
There are only a few easy measures that you need to take to significantly extend the life of your footwear.
- DON’T WEAR YOUR SHOES EVERY DAY:
Leather requires ventilation in the same way that your skin does.
To avoid being stuck wearing the same pair of shoe day in and day out, you should always keep at least two different pairs of shoes in your regular rotation.
Your feet perspire throughout the day (this is a fact), and the leather soaks up the moisture that your feet produce.
Leather that has been exposed to moisture is more likely to experience stretching, scuffing, creases, and discoloration.
By wearing them every other day, you allow them enough time to dry, which significantly increases the amount of time your footwear will last if it is properly cared for.
- BE SURE TO WASH THEM AFTER EACH USE:
After each wear, give your shoes a speedy clean using a shoe brush or a microfiber cloth, which you should keep nearby.
This will prevent any dirt or filth from being crushed into the leather over time, sparing you the trouble of dealing with discoloration in the future.
- PLACE A SHOE TREE INSIDE YOUR LEATHER BOOTS TO STORE THEM:
A shoe tree made of cedar or poplar is possibly THE most critical component of shoe maintenance, but it is also the step that is typically neglected the most.
Because leather is permeable, it readily takes in both liquid and odor, which ultimately leads to its deterioration.
Shoe trees can soak up excess moisture and odor while maintaining the correct shape of the shoe to prevent creases.
Simply taking this one additional step will allow you to get far more use out of your shoes over their whole lifetime.
- STAY OUT OF THE WEATHER IF AT ALL POSSIBLE:
It ought to go without stating, but if it is at all feasible, you should attempt to avoid walking over salt and snow-filled sidewalks in the wintertime, and you should also avoid wearing leather shoes in the rain if at all possible.
Even shoes made of waterproof leather can get stains from water, and when they are wet, leather soles are more susceptible to damage from rough surfaces like concrete.
Put on a pair of galoshes to protect your shoes from the elements if you are aware that you will be required to wear them in wet or snowy conditions.
We strongly advise keeping a pair of Swims both in your house and in your vehicle at all times.
If it does happen that your shoes get wet, resist the temptation to try to dry them next to a radiator or window.
The leather is susceptible to damage from heat and sunlight, which can cause it to split.
Simply set them on a shoe tree and allow them to air out on their own for a couple of days.
- POLISH THEM EVERY 6 WEARS:
In the same way that you don’t want your leather to become too wet, you also don’t want it to dry out too much because that might cause it to fracture.
We are aware.
It’s unreliable.
Shoe polish should be applied approximately once every six times you wear a pair of shoes to maintain a healthy balance.
Shoe polish adds a layer of protection that keeps dirt and moisture at bay while also helping the leather retain its natural moisture.
It also brings back the original color and covers up any scratches or flaws.
You only need to determine whether you want to use wax or cream polish (or both).
The cream leaves a more natural finish than wax does, in addition to being more hydrating for the skin.
Wax polish provides somewhat enhanced protection and a higher level of a shine than regular polish, but it also has the potential to be more drying.
Although we recommend beginning with cream and concluding with wax, the choice is ultimately up to you depending on the finish that you want to achieve.
Using a microfiber cloth, apply the polish in a circular motion to the shoes that have been cleaned.
If you want to go above and beyond, you can use a brush made of pig’s hair to push the product in even more thoroughly.
To complete the process, rub the shoe using a polishing glove and/or brush to restore its shine.
- WHEN NOT IN USE, KEEP SHOES CONTAINED WITHIN A DUST BAG:
The dust has the potential to penetrate leather shoes over time, which can result in staining and deterioration of the material.
If you aren’t going to be wearing your shoes very often, you should store them in a fabric dust bag to protect them while also providing them the ability to breathe.
There are undoubtedly other actions you can take to extend the life of your shoes, such as treating the leather with leather conditioner or bringing them to a cobbler to have them rejuvenated, but these six easy measures will handle the majority of the heavy lifting for you.
If you take the time to properly care for your shoes, you could be amazed at how much longer they endure.
Your comment submitted.