How to Clean Patent Leather Shoes

Patent leather shoes, also known as smooth leather shoes, require special treatment. Given the sheer bounty of information out there about how to clean patent leather shoes, the task can seem quite daunting. Yet it is actually quite simple. When cleaning patent leather shoes, all you have to do is follow a few basic guidelines regarding chemicals, shoe longevity, leather color and cleaning materials.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Patent leather shoes
• Dish detergent
• Water
• Soft cotton cloths
• Shoe polish or wax
• Vinegar
• Shoe brush
• Saddle soap

1. Use a shoe brush to get out any bits of dirt from between the stitching. A shoe brush has soft bristles, which makes it the perfect candidate for cleaning patent leather shoes.
2. Wash your patent leather shoes in a mixture of mild soap and soft water. Use a soft cloth made of cotton to wipe down the shoe, inside and out, until it is cleaned. This will prime the shoe for future steps, but you must do this first. Allow to dry at room temperature for two days before moving to the next step.
3. Use saddle soap with a soft cloth to clean your patent leather shoes inside and out. Make sure you clear off any excess saddle soap. The leather will absorb only as much as it can.
4. You can also apply a leather conditioner to the shoe inside and out. This will not only finish off the cleaning process, but will soften your patent leather shoes a bit for maximum comfort.
5. After cleaning and drying, you should apply a wax or polish to your patent leather shoe. This will protect the leather from future dirt, but it will also help to waterproof the leather, making for greater longevity.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have any salt stains on your patent leather shoes, you can spot clean with a mixture of water to a few drops of vinegar. Do this carefully and in minimal amounts, as you do not want to discolor the leather. That would defeat the purpose of cleaning.
• When purchasing shoe polish for patent leather shoes, make sure you have exactly the right color. Polish can easily change the color of your shoe.