How To Care For Leather Shoes

By Olivia Elsom

Leather shoes and boots are usually more costly than synthetic materials and, in the case of good calibre leather, considerably more costly in many cases. It therefore makes sense to care for your shoes and boots properly to ensure they last and continue looking as good as the day you purchased them.

To keep them looking their best, leather shoes need regular polishing. Regular polishing not only keeps them looking shiny and clean but it also helps to protect the leather from water and scuffing. Polish or wax specifically designed for leather footwear is readily acquirable from shoe stores and other retail outlets. If you are polishing colored leather shoes and can't find a polish that provides an exact color match then use a clear wax or polish instead. Don’t compromise and think that near enough is good enough. It will affect the appearance of your shoes and in the worst case can turn the color to an odd shade!

Remember that leather has pores that enable it to breathe but it is water resistant and NOT waterproof. Wearing leather shoes in wet weather or snow, particularly in the case of suede or light colored leather, can leave hideous water marks on footwear. Waterproofing sprays specifically for leather and suede shoes can also be obtained from good shoe stores and are advisable if you are likely to be wearing your leather shoes in wet conditions. If your shoes do get wet remember that leather is very susceptible to heat alteration so never dry wet leather shoes on or to near a radiator or direct heat source, nor should they be left in an environment that is too hot such as direct sunlight.

Ideally leather shoes and boots should be stored in soft cloth or tissue paper. They should not be stored in plastic bags as this reacts with the leather and can cause odors and discoloration. Shoe trees are useful gadgets which are inserted into the shoes before storage to maintain their shape. Another useful gadget which helps to refrain alteration is a shoe horn. Using shoe horns as an aid to putting a shoe on will protect the heel guard area from being dilapidated by folding or creasing.

Finally remember that all shoes and boots benefit from being rested. Avoid wearing them continuously and give your shoes a break from time to time.

Read my other guide on Harley Davidson riding boots.