Not sure of how to clean leather shoes? Well, you are not alone. Numerous people from all over the world struggle to keep their shoes clean and shiny and end up ruining them as they try to clean. To become a guru in this field, follow the following steps and get helpful tricks to getting rid of tough stains, scuff marks, and how to clean leather shoes inside.Leather shoes, whether boots or sneakers come in various styles and are the best footwear, especially during the rainy season.
However, regardless of how durable or pretty your shoes are, they will still look ugly and worn over time. That’s something you don’t want. Having an idea of how to clean leather shoes inside and outside and how to polish them will keep your leather shoe looking great and preserved for years to come.
1. Plan your working area
Before starting to clean your shoes, lay down a towel or newspaper sheets on the working surface for easy cleanup and also to avoid possible damages.
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Setting up the working area ensures smooth and comfortable cleaning.
2. Brush off dirt and debris
Dirt and debris can weaken the fiber in your footwear and cause cracks that are impossible to repair. Therefore, make sure you have a cleaning shoe brush to get rid of any loose mud and dirt on the surface of the shoe. Also, as you clean, pay attention to scraps and scuff to avoid damage.
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Brushing off the dirt from your shoes when you wear them makes it easier to buff and polish the shoe.
3. Removing the shoelaces
By eliminating the shoelaces, you are preventing them from getting polish or water as you clean your footwear. However, sometimes they need a wash too and so if you need to wash them, pop them into your washing machine or you can replace them with another pair of laces.
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Clean laces improve footwear’s look, and so you cannot have a clean shoe with dirty laces. That won’t just work!
4. Wipe with a damp cloth
Cleaning the shoe is very important. All you need is to take some water, add some liquid soap and if you have a leather cleaner, it is an excellent alternative to liquid soap. Take a clean rag, dip it in water, and squeeze the water out and wipe down your shoes wipe the inside, the outer side and then the shoe bottom.
Wipe them again with a damp cloth to remove any leftover soap or debris. If your shoes have salt stains in particular, you can repeat the above step but use a mixture of half white vinegar and half water instead of using soap and water. Leave them for about 20 minutes or more. As you do so, put shoe stretchers inside the shoes to support their shape.
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By cleaning your shoes with water, vinegar, or soap water, your shoes will stay clean and ready to shine once you polish them.
5. Use shoe polish and rub them using a shoe brush
Use a similar colored brush or a clear one to brush the shoes also, make sure that the brush is soft enough to avoid damaging the footwear. Apply the leather shoe polish in a circular motion on the entire shoe. After polishing, leave the polish to soak for about 10 minutes. After that, take a buffing brush or a clean cloth to shine the shoe with steady swipes. Leave them to dry but not on the sun or heater.
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By polishing the shoe effectively, you will protect the shoe from stains, enhance the color, and nourish the leather. However, be careful when dealing with a shoe with different shades.
6. Spray it with protector spray
When the leather shoes are clean and shiny, spray a leather protector spray to make the shoes feel and look soft, waterproof, and supple.
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Protector spray will protect the shoes from damages and support its new look.
Conclusion
There you have it! Having a clean and beautiful pair of leather shoes is that simple. Just make good use of the above steps and enjoy the fresh look in your shoes!
Hello Shoe Finder, thank you for your tips on cleaning shoes (dance or whatever type). We are Ballroom and Tango dancers and use practice shoes a lot in our classes, these favourites get an odour from the inside of the shoe. Most dancers dance without socks on their feet. No matter if my feet are clean, there is moisture that develops during our dance (not knowingly), once shoes are removed, wooow, there is that smell that surrounds me.
I have tried different ideas, washing the liner using a small old toothbrush and a solution of water and detol, also water and vinegar, etc. Not a permanent solution but works for after class when we are home.
Also I am contemplating of putting the thin panty liners on the inside sole, not replacing or adding a thick sponge which also needs to be replaced within 2-3 months or sooner.
Another solution I have tried was to spray the shoes with a room freshner, like Febreeze, and also adding tissue that has been sprayed with Febreeze and insert them in each shoe.
Have you tried these?
Hey Diane 🙂
Let our experts comments on this
Thanks