How to Treat Old Leather Shoes

Clean old leather boots with saddle soap.

While it's a durable material, leather dries out over time, especially when not conditioned regularly. Old leather shoes may look cracked or have a rough surface, leaving them with a drab appearance. Treating old leather shoes requires not only conditioning, but a good cleaning to remove embedded dirt and grime. After proper cleaning and conditioning, old leather shoes may appear like new again.

Things You'll Need

• Liquid detergent
• Rag
• Saddle soap
• Microfiber cloths
• Leather conditioner spray or mink oil

Instructions

1. Remove any shoestrings from the shoes and wash them separately by hand with one teaspoon of liquid detergent. Rinse the shoestrings completely and let them air dry.

2. Wipe dust and dirt from the exterior and interior of the leather shoes with a rag. Place one tablespoon of saddle soap onto a clean microfiber cloth.

3. Hold the shoe interior with one hand and rub the saddle soap into the leather area, starting at the back of the shoe. Use small circular motions, completely covering the shoe leather. Use more saddle soap if needed to clean all the leather. Repeat on the other shoe. Let the saddle soap dry for two to three hours. Wipe off any excess soap with a clean microfiber cloth.

4. Spray the shoes thoroughly with a leather conditioner, or condition with mink oil by pouring one to two tablespoons of mink oil onto a microfiber cloth and wiping it over the shoes. Allow the conditioner to penetrate the leather for 10 minutes. Remove any excess conditioner with a clean cloth.

References

• Leather Secrets: Clean and Maintain Leather Shoes

Resources

• David Morgan: Care of Fine Leather