Whether you’re into Jordans, Dunks, Adidas classics, or anything in between, leather is a huge component. And while it’s a pretty sturdy material, you should always take care of your kicks and shoes generally. Whether it’s boots, dress shoes, or sneakers, you need to maintain the material to extend their lifespan! So today, we’re gonna show you how to clean leather shoes to keep them as fresh as new. But in case you want more, here’s how to clean suede shoes! Now, let’s jump right in, shall we?
What You Need Before You Clean
Cleaning leather shoes is a simple feat, so you’ll definitely have no trouble doing it yourself. However, before we dive into the cleaning procedure, here are a few items that you’ll need:
- Soft brush or cloth
- Leather cleaner or mild soap
- Water bowl
- Leather conditioner
Optional:
- Shoe polish
- Protector spray
How to Clean Leather Shoes – Step-by-Step Process
- Remove the laces from your kicks or shoes.
- Gently use the soft cloth or brush to gently remove any solid dirt or debris from the shoe’s surface.
- Mix the mild soap or leather cleaner with water in a bowl. Dip another soft cloth into the mixture and squeeze out any excess liquid.
- Wipe the surface of the shoes in a gentle motion, and pay extra attention to any stains or spots. Avoid rubbing or scrubbing too hard to not damage the leather.
- Wash the cloth with clean water and wipe off any soap residue.
- Leave the shoes to air dry naturally. Avoid direct heat sources like air dryers because they can lead the leather to crack or shrink.
- Once the shoes are completely dry, apply a small amount of leather conditioner to a soft cloth and rub it onto the surface of the shoes in circular motions. This helps moisturize and protect the leather.
- Optional: For that extra shine, apply a thin layer of shoe polish or leather protector and buff it with a soft cloth.
- Finally, put the laces back into your clean leather shoes.
Now that you know how to clean leather shoes, we have a few detailed instructions if you wanna know more!
Part 1 – Prep Your Shoes for Cleaning
Before you start cleaning the leather shoes, you should make sure that the cleaner won’t ruin them. So, to do that, apply a little bit of it on a tiny area of the kicks. Once you deem it safe to use, you can safely start out the process. And when you apply the cleaner, we recommend rubbing it softly in circular motions.
Part 2 – Condition the Leather
You might be wondering why you need a leather conditioner. Well, over time, leather tends to dry and lose the oils that keep it shiny and healthy. So naturally, you need to restore these oils, and that’s where the conditioner comes in. All you have to do is apply a small amount of it and rub it in circular motions just like the cleaners. And make sure you cover the whole shoe, including the edges. Leave the shoe for a few minutes to give the conditioner time to penetrate the leather. Finally, gently wipe away the excess product.
Extra Step for the Glam – Polish & Protect
If you have monochrome leather shoes or kicks, you can apply polish of the same color. The polish gives the kicks their shine back and adds an extra layer of protection. But if you wanna go the extra mile to protect your kicks, we got you. A waterproof protector spray will add a layer of protection against water and stains too! So, that way, you mostly have everything under control.
Now That You Know How to Clean Leather Shoes
Cleaning leather shoes is a very important way to keep them in a good state. So, you should keep an eye on them and regularly clean them. But how can you do that if you don’t have leather kicks? Well, our blog can help you fix that with the latest sneaker releases! And if you wanna score kicks for retail, we also have the best tool to help you out. You know, it never hurts to even the odds on the playing field when it comes to hot releases!
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