Leather shoe care & cleaning guide
If you're wondering, "What is the best way to take care of leather shoes?" You're in the right place. Our complete leather shoe care and cleaning guide will give you everything you need to know about cleaning and caring for your leather shoes, including expert tips and tricks. From polishing regimes to storage tips, learn how to care for leather shoes, help prolong their life span, and keep them looking smart.
1. Polishing and conditioning
The most crucial part of your leather shoe care practice is establishing a regular polishing and conditioning routine. Not only does polishing make your leather shoes look spectacular, but it also adds a protective layer against water and stains.
2. How to keep your leather shoes from cracking
One of the best ways to prevent your shoes from cracking is by incorporating conditioning into your polishing routine. Using leather conditioner or creams restores the natural oils lost in leather shoes, nourishing them and keeping them flexible to prevent the leather from drying out and cracking.
3. Shoe trees
Shoe trees are one of the most vital components of your care routine when preserving the appearance and lifespan of your leather shoes. Wooden shoe trees have many crucial benefits, including reducing creases, maintaining their shape over time and helping prevent odour by absorbing moisture and perspiration.
How to use shoe trees
Using a shoe tree is straightforward. Simply slide in using the correct left or right shape. The fit should be snug but not too tight to avoid stretching your shoes out of shape.
4. Storage
Another step to caring for leather shoes is storing them properly.
How to store leather shoes
As long as your leather shoes are dry and don't need airing out, they should always be kept in shoe bags and their box to preserve their appearance and prevent the build-up of dust, sunlight damage, and general scuff marks. Always store them in a place with a consistent temperature, avoiding excessive heat or sunlight.
5. Cleaning
One of the best ways to care for your leather shoes is to keep them clean if they get dirty. Whether they are covered in mud, have become dusty in storage, have a pesky stain, or have picked up dirt from daily wear, use the cleaning tips below to keep your leather shoes and boots clean, looking dapper and extending their life.
Avoid harmful substances
When caring for your leather shoes, avoiding harmful chemicals and substances is an easy way to help them last as long as possible. What should you not put on leather shoes?
- Harsh chemicals: Avoid household cleaners, detergents, bleach or ammonia-based products, as they strip the natural oils, dry the leather and cause cracking and discolouration.
- Too much water: Fully submerging leather shoes in water or using a soaked cloth can weaken the leather fibres, cause stains and lead to deformation.
- Non-leather specific products: Avoid generic cleaning wipes or any products not made for leather as they might leave a residue, discolour or damage the leather.
- Oils not meant for leather: Avoid applying cooking, baby, or mineral oils, as these can leave a sticky residue, attract dirt, and stain the leather.
- Excessive wax: Avoid over-applying wax-based polishes as excess wax can build up, dull the finish and prevent the leather from breathing.
- Petroleum-based products: Vaseline or petroleum gel can temporarily moisturise leather but may clog the pores of the natural leather.
- Nail polish remover or acetone: Acetone-based products can strip the leather's finish and cause irreparable damage.
- Silicone-based waterproofing spray: If you waterproof your leather shoes, avoid silicone sprays, as they are not designed for leather, will clog the pores and damage the leather's flexibility. Abrasive materials: In addition to harmful substances, avoid using abrasive materials, such as steel wool, scouring pads, or rough brushes, to clean your leather shoes, as they can scratch and damage the leather's surface.
How to clean leather shoes
Cleaning your leather shoes doesn't have to be a laborious task. Frequent cleaning and practising good aftercare don't take long and can keep your leather shoes looking top-notch wear after wear. Here's how to clean leather shoes without damaging the leather. First, gather all your essential equipment for cleaning leather shoes.
You will need:
- Soft cotton cloths or microfibre towels
- A soft-bristled shoe brush
- Welt brush
- Shoe Tree
- Leather cleaner, conditioner or shoe cream
- Polish
Shoe cleaning steps:
- First, ensure that your shoes are dry before cleaning, insert shoe trees into them and remove the laces.
- To clean your leather shoes, brush off any mud, dirt, or dust from your shoe with your horsehair brush.
- Then, brush off any dirt embedded in the welt with the welt brush; the "welt" is the hard-to-reach join between the sole and upper.
- To remove additional dirt, wipe the surface of your shoes with a lightly dampened cloth, but avoid soaking the leather.
- For dirt and embedded stains, use a small amount of leather cleaner and a dampened, clean cloth to rub the leather in circular motions gently.
- Wipe excess moisture off with a dry, soft cloth once your leather shoes are clean. Then, let them air dry naturally at room temperature. Avoid drying them in direct heat or sunlight.
- Once dry, use a leather conditioner to soften, rehydrate and protect the leather. Take your cotton cloth and apply a small amount to the whole shoe, leave to dry for ten minutes and then buff with a polishing brush.
- If you want a glossy finish after cleaning your leather shoes use a shoe polish in a matching colour to the leather and give them a polish. Read our Step-by-Step Polishing Guide for the perfect technique and finish.
- Once clean and dry, replace your laces.
6. Rotate your shoes
If you wear the same leather shoes daily, they will inevitably wear out quicker. Rotate your shoes to give the leather a chance to breathe. Avoid wearing the same pair two days in a row to let them air out and prevent excessive wear.
7. Avoid overexposure to water
Although some leathers are more water-resistant than others, leather shoes are not waterproof.
What to do if your shoes get wet
Let them dry naturally at room temperature. You can stuff them with newspaper to help absorb moisture. Avoid direct heat sources like radiators or hairdryers, which can crack the leather.
8. Waterproofing
If living in wet climates, like the UK, getting caught in the rain is inevitable. So, you could try a waterproofing spray which will help tp repel any water.
Should leather shoes be waterproofed?
You can help protect your leather shoes using leather-specific waterproofing spray/cream* to protect them from water damage.
* We always recommend you try any care product on a small part of the leather first to make sure there are no adverse affects, once dry and all ok you can apply to the rest of the upper.
9. How to wash leather shoes
You can use a damp cloth to wash stubborn stains and dirt. However, never submerge any leather footwear.
Can you put leather shoes in the washing machine?
The answer to this question is a hard no. Putting leather shoes in the washing machine will warp the leather and potentially melt the glue in the soles. After the shoe dries, the leather will dry and crack.
10. Replace worn-out soles & heels
We know soles eventually wear out, no matter how carefully you care for your leather shoes. That's why we offer a shoe and sole repair service at Cheaney to help reduce shoe waste and make your leather shoes last a lifetime.
For over 140 years, we've been crafting exceptional footwear in the heart of England's shoemaking county. Discover the skilled craftsmanship, traditional techniques and attention to detail that go into making every pair of Cheaney shoes.
Nothing compares to visiting a Joseph Cheaney & Sons store in person and receiving a fitting consultation from our expert staff. However, we understand that visiting a store isn't always an option for everyone so we've put together this guide to help you choose the correct size
If you’re wondering which products and colours we recommend to look after your shoes. We've put together this guide; you will find a comprehensive list of our current leathers with the recommended products. Feel free to use some creative licence within reason.
Regardless of the style or cut of your suit, choosing the right colour shoes for your outfit is crucial to achieving a sophisticated and well put-together end result for your big day.
What's an Oxford and how does it differ to a Derby? How is a Brogue different to a semi brogue? Discover the range of different styles of footwear we design and manufacture in our Northamptonshire based, UK factory and learn more about their origins and history.
Polishing, if done regularly, shouldn’t take up too much of your time and won’t be at all arduous, as long as you do the basics right. Discover our top tips and step by step video of how to keep your shoes looking their best and what the best care products are to use.
Have you ever wondered what the letter(s) B, C, D, R, GV means in the name of the style of footwear; well it references the sole used. Gain insight into the different types of soles we use on our footwear, from a traditional leather to heavy duty rubber sole, there is a sole for every occasion.
The last is the 3-dimensional form on which our shoes are constructed. The shoe proportion, shape, fit, width and character start with the last. If you can identify the last that suits your foot, all the shoes or boots built on that last will fit well.
We only source high-grade leather from the best tanneries in the UK and abroad to produce our footwear. Our collection includes various leathers and we are constantly discerning new treatments and characteristics to expand our unique collection.
The common myth is that suede shoes are notoriously difficult to keep looking their best. However, don’t be put off as this really isn’t the case; whether it’s a new pair or you need to rejuvenate an exsiting pair, we’ve created a definitive guide on how to care for and protect suede shoes.
