We love them when we see them in the window and buy them, we hate them when we have to clean them. But take care of leather shoes it's not as hard as it sounds, you just have to have it the right tools available and get to know some tricks of the trade. Cleaning them and keeping them in good condition not only helps to give a good image of the wearer, but allows you to keep them much longer and make the shoe last over time. In fact, a good handcrafted shoe can last even 10 years, but your constancy in taking care of it will be essential for do not age it prematurely.
So let's see how to do it.
Some practical methods
We use them for work, for walking, even for sports. But we can't go on forever and put them on, take them off, put them back in the shoe cabinet and put them back again without deigning to look at them, we need to stop and take care of them. Remove the dust, clean and polish them will give new life to your inseparable leather shoes!
The most used methods are these:
- First step: soft brush. Before using any detergent it is important to remove dust and any residue of dirt, be it earth or dried mud. Gently scrub with a soft, natural-bristled brush. Pay attention to even the most complicated areas, cleaning both the upper and seams. If it comes to lace-up shoes, I recommend that you remove the laces, both to better clean the shoe and not to stain them during the passage of the cream or polish.
- Next step, wet sponge (but not too much). After cleaning our leather shoes, we move on to the actual washing phase. With a damp sponge, always gently rub the entire shoe following the grain of the leather, and let it dry well for a couple of hours. There are also neutral shoe cleaners, but it is not essential to use them.
- Let's move on to the gloss. Using a soft cloth, apply a light amount of polish to the shoe. The polish must have a color similar to that of the leather, if you use a neutral polish your shoes will lose their shine or become darker. Distribute the cream over the entire surface with light, circular movements.
- Finally. As soon as the polish has been absorbed, brush again vigorously and go over the soft cloth for a final touch. Only when they are perfectly dry put them back in the box. Ah, but in plastic bags or bags, because they do not allow a correct passage of air.
Natural remedies for cleaning leather shoes
What if the shoes are also stained? There are also natural remedies at practically no cost. My advice, however, always remains the same: any solution must be tried initially on a hidden corner of the shoe. If the skin reacts badly you will notice it immediately and you will not have done any damage.
- White vinegar. Mixed in equal parts with water, it allows you to effectively remove stains and halos. Seeing is believing!
- Cleanser, to be avoided on light leather shoes, as they could turn yellow. It should be rubbed gently on the stain without letting the skin soak;
- Marseille soap, dissolved in warm water.
- Olive oil, combined with a few drops of lemon, it can become an excellent polisher if applied with a cotton cloth and then dried with a sponge.
- Talcum powder, to remove greasy grease stains. Apply it directly to the machine and leave it on for 2/3 hours, after which brush gently to remove the dust.
Some tricks to avoid damaging the leather shoes
For the series “prevention is better than cure”. In addition to these methods to clean them, there are some simple tricks to avoid damaging them.
- Do not expose them to direct light or heat sources. The skin may dry out and deteriorate. Always let your shoes dry naturally.
- Mud and dust should be removed after each use;
- Don't wash them NEVER in the washing machine;
- unpleasant odors can be removed during washing by adding a little bicarbonate or later with the talcum powder;
- Use the shoehorn to put them on, this will increase the duration of the buttress, the insert present in the heel between the lining and the upper.
- Use insoles, this allows to extend the life of the shoes by absorbing the moisture of the foot. However, it is important to always remove them from your shoes after use to allow them to dry and air.
- Each material needs specific care and products.
Daily cleaning can take time that you often don't have (and they understand you perfectly well). Try to carve out a moment at least weekly to take care of your leather shoes, to ensure durability and beauty over the years and keep them with you for as long as possible!
