Leather shoes & boots are a great way to earn some style points and their incredible durability definitely makes them a sound investment. Leather is also quite picky when it comes to maintenance and it’s very easy to ruin or discolour your footwear if you don’t know what you’re doing. But the road to the perfect polish is a matter of simply asking the right questions. We’ve already answered those for you below, so make yourself comfortable, grab a cup of coffee, and keep on reading to find out how to make your leather shoes last you for a really, really long time.
What’s the Type of Leather Your Shoes or Boots Are Made Of?
Identify the leather and finish from the footwear’s care information. Smooth leather, suede, nubuck and coated finishes need different products; the type of boot alone does not identify the finish. Read the material care guidance.
If the finish is unclear, ask the manufacturer before applying a cleaner. Do not deliberately soak the leather to identify it by absorption. A product test should follow the care instructions, not replace them.
What Type of Footwear Stains Are You Trying to Clean?
So, how do you clean leather boots or shoes? Well, Star Domestic Cleaners London suggest you to start off by brushing any accumulated dust to avoid rubbing the particles into the shoes. Then, take a clean piece of cloth or a soft brush and gently remove any debris or dirt that is either stuck between your outsoles or mars your boots’ surface. Don’t forget to also remove the laces first prevent them from becoming damp or “polished”. But what should you do if you face a visible scratch or a tough stain? You have 4 options to choose from, depending on your footwear’s condition:
- Remove loose dry dirt gently with a brush suited to the finish.
- Use the cleaner recommended for that leather; follow its directions and any permitted inconspicuous test.
- Ask about a suitable treatment for salt, grease or scratches rather than using olive oil or an overnight powder treatment on unidentified leather.
- Some manufacturers permit a particular diluted vinegar treatment on particular products. That is not approval for every leather shoe.
Attention: Once you’re done with cleaning, leave your footwear to dry out naturally and never place them near a heat source or in direct sunlight as this can greatly discolour the leather!
Shoe Oil vs. Leather Polishing Cream – Which is Better?
This, once again, comes down to the type of leather your shoes are made of. But before you begin, make sure to cover your surroundings in ample amounts of newspaper – this will give your floor and furniture ample protection against the inevitable drops of polishing products.
Use polish or conditioner only where the footwear’s care instructions allow it, matching the finish and colour. Suede and nubuck should not receive ordinary smooth-leather polish. Follow the product’s application and drying directions.
Check the footwear after wet or muddy use and remove loose dirt before it accumulates. The cleaning and conditioning schedule depends on the leather, use and care instructions rather than a fixed monthly or twice-yearly rule.
