How to Clean Leather Shoes: Step-by-Step Guide

Leather shoes, treated right, will last decades. Buying a pair is an investment, and proper care is the factor that determines how long you’ll see returns for. That’s why we recommend that anyone who owns leather shoes, whether they’re a new purchase or not, learns about proper leather care.

In this guide, we’ll teach you how to clean and care for your leather shoes, so that you can enjoy them in their optimal condition for years to come. After reading, you’ll be equipped to prolong their lifespan, preserve their colour, prevent cracking, maintain structure, and much more.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• What to know before you start cleaning leather shoes
• Steps on how to clean leather shoes
• How to maintain leather shoes and keep them clean for longer
• Common mistakes to avoid when cleaning leather shoes

What to Know Before You Start Cleaning Leather Shoes

Not all leather shoes are alike: compare a sturdy leather boot to a leather sandal, for example, and you’ll see plenty of differences. And these are what underpin differences in care routines.

Before you start cleaning your leather shoes, here’s what you need to find out:

• What type of leather is it? Full-grain, patent, and suede all have different needs. Suede in particular needs its own type of treatment.
• Will the material handle cleaning materials? It’s easy to cause inadvertent damage, so we recommend testing all cleaning materials on a small, inconspicuous area of the shoe before going all in. This means that if damage is caused, its impact will be minimal.
• Are there any manufacturer care instructions? It’s always worth looking at the manufacturer’s information about the shoes to see whether they offer any specific advice. The goal here is to avoid damage.

You should also remove any laces before cleaning and set them aside for later. If they need cleaning, soak them in warm water with some laundry detergent for about half an hour, then leave them to dry fully before reinserting them into the shoe.

Steps on How to Clean Leather Shoes

Cleaning leather shoes is a gentle, layered process, and it’s important to take the appropriate time and care at each step. Doing so minimises the risk of damage, especially at the drying stage.

It’s also worth noting that regular light cleaning is more effective than an infrequent deep clean. Dirt is harder to budge and more likely to cause permanent damage if left to accrue.

Here are the steps to get your leather shoes looking good as new.

2. Remove Dirt & Debris

Now the cleaning begins. First, use a dry brush to gently remove dirt & debris from the shoe. Focus on seams, ensuring that as much ground-in dirt as possible is removed.

Once you’ve wiped with the dry brush, scrub gently with a slightly damp cloth. Avoid soaking the shoe as water can quickly damage leather.

The goal with these two steps is to remove surface dirt that might cause scratching in the later steps.

4. Dry Your Shoes

Getting your shoes properly dry is a crucial part of the process, and one where careless mistakes can cause permanent damage or leave an unpleasant odour. The correct way to dry leather shoes is to air-dry them at room temperature. Do not put them on radiators, do not use a hair dryer: both will cause damage.

Before leaving to dry, insert a shoe tree or enough bundled-up newspaper to retain the shape of the shoe. Let the shoes dry fully before moving on to the next step.

6. Polish for Shine

Here’s where you return your clean, conditioned shoes back to their full glory. Using a polish that matches the colour of the leather, apply a thin layer and let it haze (if you’ve not heard the term, it means letting it sit for a few minutes so it can dry and absorb into the material). Then buff the material with a clean cloth or brush to bring out the shine.

How to Maintain Leather Shoes and Keep Them Clean for Longer

With your shoes nice and clean, you’re maybe wondering how to keep them that way. Here are some top tips:

• Rotate your shoes: avoid daily wear, reduce the amount of dirt and debris they pick up.
• Use shoe trees: keep your shoes properly stored on a shoe tree to retain their structure and avoid scuffing against other pairs.
• Store them properly: avoid storing them in humid environments, and consider storing them in dust bags.
• Clean spills immediately: if you spill something on your shoe, get rid of it straight away before it has a chance to cause lasting damage.
• Recondition them every few months: as we said earlier, frequent mild cleaning is better than rare deep cleans.
• Have soles and heels repaired early: as soon as you spot damage, ideally, to prevent it from getting worse.
• Consider professional cleaning: if you’re not confident doing it yourself or if there’s a lot of established dirt, professional cleaners can often achieve better results.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning Leather Shoes

And as a bonus, before we close, here are some common mistakes to avoid:

• Don’t use too much water: this can damage the shoe!
• Don’t use household chemicals: no bleach, no harsh detergents, just leather-specific cleaning products.
• Don’t skip conditioning: it can be tempting to stop once they look clean, but conditioning protects against further dirt.
• Don’t dry with heat: like water, this is one of the main causes of shoe damage.

Treat Your Leather with the Respect It Deserves

Leather shoes are investment pieces. They’re stylish, elegant, and graceful. And, when treated with care, they’ll last you for years. In this guide, we’ve covered leather cleaning from start to finish, along with tips to get the best from your shoes - we hope it’s been useful.

If you’re in the market for leather shoes, we invite you to check out our leather shoes for men and women. Each collection includes a range of shoe types, including loafers, court shoes, brogues and more. All designed to bring comfort and style to your wardrobe for years to come.