A little care can go a long way in keeping your leather shoes in brand-new condition for a long time. Most of us own a closet full of leather shoes that we love and obsess over. But only loving them won’t keep them shining and sparkling. Learning how to take care of them can preserve the expensive investment for years.
Expert-Suggested Guideline to Follow to Keep Leather Shoes Shining for Years
You might have come across a variety of handy guidelines here and there on how to maintain leather shoes, but not all of them work. If you ride a bike wearing leather shoes, get your hands on a shoe protector for the bike immediately to prevent distressed-looking shoes after a few months.
The rest of the tips, we have mentioned below are for you to follow and apply.
Remove the Shoe Laces First
To begin with, get rid of the shoe laces before you begin cleaning them. You can wash the laces using water and laundry detergent. Simply place the laces inside the mesh bag before putting them inside the washing machine. Use the dryer to dry air-dry them later on.
Visit the automotive accessories online store if you are looking for shoe protectors.
Brush the Loose and Debris and Dirt Settled on Your Shoes
Dirt, of all kinds, can turn your leather shoe fibre weak. This results in unrepairable cracks, so when cleaning makes sure to brush off all the debris and dirt first. Pay special attention to the scrapes and scuffs while you are cleaning to prevent severe damage.
Cleaning Finished Leather Shoe
Use a slightly damp microfiber cloth to clean the finished pair of leather shoes. Soak the damp cloth in laundry detergent or dish soap to clean them thoroughly. Always rub the cloth in the grain direction. Rinse the soap from the shoes following that with a slightly damp cloth.
Cleaning Unfinished Leather Shoes
If you own a pair of unfinished leather shoe, then count on saddle soap to clean them. Saddle soaps are easy to find at the tack stores and shoe stores as well. Rub the soap on your leather shoes using a damp cloth and wipe off the excess before you let it dry.
What to Avoid When Cleaning the Leather Shoes?
When cleaning your pair of leather shoe, make sure not to keep them excessively wet. Excess water can eliminate the natural oils from the shoes and create havoc on their finishing. Even excessive soap can damage it by not allowing it to breathe.
Know How to Get Rid of Water Stains from Your Leather Shoes?
There are various ways to clean water stains from leather shoes. You can try the combination of fresh water along with some lemon juice and vinegar. Use this mixture to lather on the water stain before you dry the same using a clean cloth.
Another way of getting rid of water stains from leather shoes is by mixing small amounts of soap with water. However, if you have spilt ink on your shoes, you can try rubbing alcohol on them to get rid of the stain.
Learning How to Eliminate Salt Stains from Your Leather Shoes Effectively
If you happen to wear your leather shoe in a snowy city, you might come home with annoying salt stains all over your beautiful pair of shoe. But there’s nothing to distress as you can remove them easily with the help of a vinegar and water mixture.
How to Wash Off Pet Poop From Your Leather Shoes?
If you are a pet parent, chances are that you might end up watching them poop over your pair of expensive leather shoes at some point in time. Rather than howling at the innocent creatures, stay calm and use vinegar to get rid of their poop and pee along with the foul odour that follows. You might have to repeat the procedure twice depending on how much they pooped or urinated on your shoes.
Getting Rid of Grease Stains Like a Pro
To get rid of all types of grease stains like a pinch of salt, all you need to do is sprinkle some baking soda on the greasy stains and keep rubbing them. Let the baking soda absorb the grease, while you leave it like that over the night. Remove the extra baking soda in the morning using a clean cloth.
Master the Art of Cleaning Scuffs from Your Leather Shoes
If you notice scuffs on your leather shoes, then a good cleaning can prove beneficial in removing them. Just use a little dab of some white toothpaste to slather on the scuff and rub it with the help of a soft cloth.
Cleaning your leather shoes is simple if you know the right tricks. However, it can sometimes prove challenging, depending on the kind of stain. But instead of losing your patience and accepting defeat, try the above-mentioned tips to clean them and you will get effective results.
Also Read: The Economic Impact of Home Improvement
