How to Care for Leather Shoes

Years ago when shoes were primarily made of leather, most people often had only one pair. The shoes were meticulously cared for out of necessity and often lasted a lifetime. Today, since shoes are affordable and accessible, we tend to wear them and set them in the closet without much concern for their care. It takes little effort to extend the life of leather shoes and keep them looking like new.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Treat new leather shoes with weather proofing to protect them from water, snow and salt. Use a silicon-free commercial spray-on treatment and apply two or three coats per the product's instruction. Re-apply as needed.
2. Store delicate designer shoes in their box on a shelf. Place soft leather shoes in fabric storage bags and store in a shoebox or shoe rack.
3. Pamper leather shoes. Make every effort to avoid water, mud and rough terrain so that leather is not scuff or cut or allowed to become excessively wet. Keep the leather soft by regularly treating it with a quality shoe wax or oil.
4. Clean shoes as soon as possible after wearing. Use a soft cloth to remove dust and dirt. Allow mud to dry and then use a soft-to-medium brush or an old toothbrush to remove it.
5. Rotate leather shoes. Allow them to breathe for at least 12 hours between wearings. Stuff tissue paper into the toes of shoes or use shoe trees to help maintain the shape.
6. Allow damp shoes to dry naturally. Stuff them with crumpled newspaper to help draw out moisture and odors and to maintain the shoe's shape. Set the shoes to dry out of the way of drafts or sources of heat.
7. Use a shoe horn to put on closed-back leather shoes to keep the back from breaking down. Fasten straps and laces after the foot is in the shoe.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid storing shoes on top of one another in the bottom of a closet.
• Use natural products when possible so that harsh chemicals won't damage the leather.