How to Dye Leather Shoes

Do you have a pair of leather shoes in your closet that you no longer wear? Don't be so quick to toss them in the refuse container. You can give those gently worn shoes a whole new life by dyeing them a completely new shade. That pair of red shoes that seemed so perfect when you bought them two years ago can be transformed into a perfect match for your new navy blue suit. How's that for versatility? Here's how to give those old, forgotten leather shoes a colorful, new life.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. How to dye leather shoes: Select your shoes.
   
   Go through your closet and pull out all those pairs of shoes you no longer wear. Once you have a collection of old shoes, go through them carefully and pick out ones that are in good shape and still look stylish on your feet. Decide which pairs are worth a new dye job.

2. How to dye leather shoes: Choose your color and dye.
   
   Leather dyes come in a variety of colors which gives you lots of versatility. Although leather dyes work nicely on leather shoes, they should never be used on suede. If you can't find leather dyes locally, do a Google search for "leather dyes" and you should find a variety of options. Be sure to ask whether the dye you'll be using is pigment based or solvent based. This will affect whether or not you need to apply a protective top coat over your freshly dyed shoes. You'll also need a soft sponge to apply the dye to your shoes and leather cleaner to prepare your shoes for dyeing.

3. How to dye leather shoes: Clean your shoes.
   
   In order for your shoes to take the color evenly, they need to be clean and free of debris. Use a soft cloth to gently clean your shoes with commercial leather cleaner. If you don't have leather cleaner available, you can use saddle soap and a damp cloth. Allow your freshly cleaned shoes to dry thoroughly before proceeding.

4. How to dye leather shoes: Dye your shoes.
   
   If you don't want the dye to discolor the soles of the shoes, use masking tape to cover those areas so they'll be protected from the color. Open your container of leather dye and stir it gently using a wooden paint stick. Once your dye is prepared, use your soft sponge to evenly apply the dye to the areas of the shoe you haven't masked off with your tape. Allow the first coat to dry completely. Repeat the same procedure and apply a second coat of dye to deepen the color and ensure all areas are completely covered with color. Allow your freshly dyed shoes to dry for twelve areas before wearing.

Tips & Warnings

• If you used a solvent based dye on your shoes, you'll need to apply a protective top coat. If you used a pigment based dye, you may not need to do this final step. Check with the store where you purchased the dye to see if they recommend a top coat for the formulation you're using.