Everyone knows that leather shoes are essential to match our daily outfits. Always so elegant and classy, they definitely do the trick no matter what you are wearing. We use them every day and they put up with a lot: long walks, stressful days at work, sport training and poor weather conditions.
That’s why after the daily use they often look dirty and hard to clean and it’s important to care for them properly.
Some people though fail to give their precious shoes the proper loving care they deserve. You know, we always run out of time and the daily routine keeps us pretty busy with work and domestic chores.
Shoe care basics
Leather shoes get dirty very easily and might look old and worn over time. The leather colour becomes darker and it’s not as shiny as it used to be. But don’t fret, you don’t need to throw your shoes away even though they may look a bit old and scruffy. The first step in shoe care is a proper cleaning. So how can we take care of our shoes?
- Use a soft shoe brush
Before you treat your shoes with any detergent, the first step is to clean them by getting a soft shoe brush in order to remove caked on dirt or mud from leather, stitchings and soles.
- Arm yourself with damp sponge and shoes polisher
Now you can wipe them clean with a damp sponge and let them dry for a couple of hours before you start restoring its original gloss using a specific polish wax. After that let it sit a few minutes.
- DIY cleaning with vinegar
If cleaning is just not enough for you, a remedy that works wonders on stains is an at-home cleaner with equal parts white vinegar and water. Dip a soft cloth in the watered-down vinegar mixture. Then rub it first on a less visible section to test how it may effect the leather.
- Baby wipes can help
Yes, you read it right! We are talking about ordinary baby wipes. They are safe for a baby, then they are gentle enough that they will not harm your leather shoes. You can rely on them for a quick cleaning when you are not at home, as they moisturise and clean the leather at the same time.
How to have well-maintained shoes
The shoe care routine involves more than just daily cleaning your shoes,
so there are a couple of things to keep in mind:
- Store your shoes in a dry environment
- Always let them air dry completely before storing
- Remove dust and mud as often as possible
- Whatever you do, don’t put your leather shoes in the washing machine to clean them
- A pinch of baking soda will help you to get rid of any unpleasant smell during the cleaning phase.
- Always remember to let your shoes dry avoiding heat sources.
Nowadays different materials are being used to make shoes and of course they thus should be cleaned accordingly. Leather is often the preferred option for high-quality shoes but because of its specific qualities the cleaning process might not be that quick and easy. A regular and proper care will however keep your shoes clean and extend their useful life.
