We all know that how to clean leather shoes is a tough task to understand. Leather shoes are considered tougher cleaning instead of other materials. It’s a good feeling when you buy in new pair of leather shoes but real dust can ruin it easily. Just to take back the final and clean look of your leather shoes, you simply need to clean them with a few methods that will help you throughout your journey.
In this article, we will walk you through your guidelines and simple steps for cleaning your leather shoes in the best way. Therefore, we will proceed with the method in which you will achieve full guidance of inner and outer cleaning with the best tips and tricks. Let’s dive into the details:
Leather Shoes Cleaning Tips Guide:
There are a few better tips that can clean your leather shoes properly. Therefore, read the instructions for obtainable results, you’ll find your shoes shiny and clean. Let’s have a discussion of methods, how to clean leather shoes at home:
Method 01: Apply Soap and Conditioner
Leather shoe dust can be easily removed by using soap and a good quality conditioner. Moreover, applying the soap and conditioner can wipe all the dust and dirt from your leather shoes. Let’s start with the step-by-step guide to understand the process well.
Step 01: Remove the Laces
Removing the laces and cleaning them is the most important part of your leather shoes’ whiteness. Firstly, you need to remove the laces from your leather shoes and need to clean them. You can use the washing machine and throw the laces into it. Use soap or washing powder to clean it. If you don’t like your old laces and you think they’re are too dirty to clean then, you need to replace them with a new laces pair.
Step 02: Wipe Off the Dirt and Debris
After removing the laces, you need to clean the dust and debris that your leather shoes dirtier. Use any old brush to clean. You can also choose a toothbrush to wipe the dust or mud. Don’t use direct water without removing the debris and follow the steps straightly. If you don’t have a brush then, go ahead and use a cotton cloth. A piece of cotton cloth can smoothly clean the leather shoes.
Step 03: Apply Soap
The soap is really useful for cleaning leather shoes but you need to add a thing to make a strong mixture that will work 3x instead of using only soap. That’s warm water, you can use any detergent, Washing powder, or soap. When you combine your soap and warm water and mix it well, it can remove hard stains and scuff marks effortlessly. To apply it on leather shoes for best cleaning, use cloth and let it for a couple of minutes.
Step 04: Remove Soap Solution
Now it’s time to remove the soap solution you recently applied to your leather shoes. It’s not rocket science to wipe the solution, you only need to apply the right technique to clean the soap solution with the help of a cloth. Use a smooth cloth like cotton stuff and ensure it isn’t wet. So, clean the layer of soap solution away and pay heed to the sides of the shoes.
Step 05: Use Conditioner to Your Shoes
You guys must be wondering why should we use conditioner to clean the leather shoes.
The conditioner has two qualities that are helpful for leather shoe cleaning. First, it makes the material of the shoe more smooth and soft. Second, the conditioner works well to give your leather shoes a shiny and slake look, so they could look like a new pair of leather shoes.
Your procedure does not end here you need to clean the shoes sides and then take a cloth and try to clean it from the inside of the shoes. Because the mud and dirt don’t need to be only on the top layer it also exists inside the leather shoes.
Step 06: Dry Your Leather Shoes
The final step of how to clean leather shoes at home is to dry your shoes by keeping them aside. Drying is the most important part because when you wipe the water from the leather shoes, it still has a few drops of water or a layer of water that needs to dry completely first. Try to keep them on airy surfaces so they can quickly dry.
Don’t put your leather shoes in the sunlight or front of your heater because it can easily damage your leather shoe quality and leave cracks on it. So avoid heating and use natural air sources only.
Note:
Most people have no commercial leather shoe conditioner then, so they can make it at home. The simple remedy of making conditioner for your leather shoes is simply take one spoon of vinegar, and add 2 tablespoons of linseed oil. Mix it well and apply it to your leather shoes.
Method 02: Apply Cornstarch or Baking Soda
The second method is considered the best way to clean leather shoes. This method of cleaning has the oil absorbing quality to avoid the stickiness of dirt. The soft ingredient is Cornstarch or Baking Soda. The choice is yours and sometimes you only have baking soda at home. Let’s have a look at its process:
Step 01: Sprinkle Cornstarch
If you have dirty and oily leather shoes and you want to clean leather shoes inside and from outside. The best way is to take a pinch or 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and sprinkle it onto your leather shoes. Use it on the whole leather shoe to clean its upper layer completely.
Step 02: Damp Cloth
You can use any smooth cloth and dip it into the damp water to make it wet. You can also use lukewarm water. Just rinse off your clothes well and now rub them on the leather shoes gently. Don’t do it with the hard hands. It will become a mixture of soda and water that will be helpful for stains and scuffs.
Step 03: Let it Overnight
The third step is to set your shoes aside for a few hours or overnight. My perspective is to leave it overnight. After letting it, in the next morning simply take a simple cloth and clean the dry powder from the leather shoes. You can use a wet cloth again and dry it for proper cleaning. But use simple cloth to clean leather shoes inside part.
How to Clean Leather Shoes With Brush
Brush Your Leather Shoes
Purchase a leather brush online or at a shoe store. When cleaning leather, these brushes’ unique nylon bristles won’t harm it. Use a gentle, fluid back-and-forth motion to brush the leather. Scratches and stains can be eliminated by brushing every shoe’s whole surface. However it might not seem required, a leather brush is essential if you want to maintain the gorgeous appearance of your leather shoes. A standard soft-bristled brush won’t do the job as well. Just in case you were wondering, artisans rub down real leather to add texture and softness.
Use a Rubber Pencil Eraser
The eraser should be rubbed over the scuff or dirty mark. To avoid causing harm to the leather, continue moving in the same direction. Make use of your leather brush to remove any remaining eraser. A rubbery surface is on the back or side of the bristles of certain leather brushes. Use a brush with a rubbery side specifically made to remove scuffs and marks instead of a pencil eraser.
Remove Greasy Residue
Directly apply a small amount of cornstarch to the stains. Enough cornstarch should be used to fully coat the leather’s fibers. Let the powder settle for two to three hours. To remove the oily stain and knock off the powder, use a leather brush to scrub the area. It’s also true that cornstarch can remove ancient grease stains that have fully entered the leather fibers. Try this first before throwing away that outdated pair of leather shoes.
Apply a Silicone-Based Spray
If at all possible, use a shoe protectant spray on your shoes as soon as you get home. This is the moment to treat them if you haven’t already. After each cleaning, give your shoes a spray. Apply the protection uniformly all over the fibers of the shoes while holding the can arm’s length away. You can use any leather waterproofing spray that you purchase at a shoe or sneaker store. Leather is a lovely fabric, but it is quite sensitive to weather and water. If it starts to rain on the way home from work, weatherproofing your shoes will protect them. However, try your best to keep your shoes dry.
How to Remove Stains From Leather?
There are multiple leather shoes cleaning guides but a few of these, that may be quick and 100% working in real life are explained below. All the solutions regarding stain issues are mentioned. Let’s check what stain issue you face and how to deal with it:
Dark Stains
To get rid of dark stains on light-colored leather, make a paste by combining one part cream of tartar with one part lemon juice. After applying the paste to the stain, let it sit for ten minutes or so. Use a wet sponge or a wet sponge dipped in moisturizing soap to remove the paste after applying another layer and working it in.
Water Stains
Leather water stains can be removed by getting water back into the area with a small amount of water, allowing it to dry naturally, or gently blowing it dry. So, leather should never be left in the sun to dry.
Oil Stains
Put cornstarch or baking soda on the area to get rid of oil or grease. Gently rub it in. Leave overnight or for a few hours. The oil will be absorbed by the starch or soda. Use a gentle cloth to wipe the powder off.
Ink Stains
To remove ink stains from leather, gently wipe the stain with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Use a blow dryer to dry the area. After drying, use a thick layer of non-gel, non-oily cuticle remover if the stain is still there. After leaving it on all night, remove it with a moist cloth.
Mold
Combine one part water with one part rubbing alcohol. Wipe the area affected with a cloth soaked in the alcohol solution. Use another wet cloth to wipe clean. Mildew will be removed as well. This alcohol solution is the best way of how to clean leather shoes.
Road Salt
Salt stains on boots and shoes are normal in snowy areas during the winter. Combine one part white vinegar with one part water to remove these stains. To get rid of the salt, dip a cloth into the solution and gently wipe the shoes or clothing. To clean the entire surface, this might need to be done multiple times. They should appear nearly brand new when you’re done. Keep leather shoes well-polished with a conditioner and wipe them regularly with a wet cloth.
How to Condition Leather?
Over time, leather requires protection and hydration, just like your own skin. With natural baby soap, vinegar, and water, you can make a basic and affordable leather conditioner. In a dish, combine two cups of warm water, one tablespoon of natural baby soap, and a little vinegar. Moreover, Avoid soaking the leather by using a microfiber cloth to work the conditioning mixture into it. Keep the conditioner on the furniture and wet the leather. Your leather will be cleaned and conditioned by the gentle oils in the baby soap.
A mixture of one-part vinegar and two-part linseed oil can also be used to condition leather. Apply the solution to the leather with a soft cloth after putting it into a closed jar and giving it a good shake. Cover the entire surface by working in a circular motion. To give the leather surface a shine, rub it in well, let it set for ten or fifteen minutes, and then buff it with a gentle cloth. Before you sit on the couch, you might need to buff again. Save the remaining solution for later use. To avoid leather furniture from drying out and cracking, keep it out of direct sunlight at all times.
Tips and Tricks
Knowing how to constantly care for and handle your leather shoes is as important as learning to give them a full clean. This everyday care will maintain the flexible feel and unmistakable shine of excellent leather shoes. Additionally, regular maintenance will require less frequent deep cleaning. These given leather shoes cleaning tips will assist you well. Let’s discuss:
- To get rid of the dirt that has gathered over the day, give your leather shoes a thorough wipe down with a soft brush or a fresh cloth after every use. Regular brushes or wipes will remove dirt and reduce the chance of small stains appearing.
- Don’t forget to include a shoe tree when it’s time to keep your leather shoes. This keeps your shoes durable and protects the leather from damage by acting as a smell and moisture absorber.
- We also advise being careful about when you wear your leather shoes. To lower the chance of water damage, it may be necessary to leave the leather at home on strongly rainy days. To avoid gathering dust, store your leather shoes in a dust bag on days when you don’t use them.
Final Verdict
In the above instructions, we have explained all the possible methods of how to clean leather shoes properly. The best tips and tricks that help you to clean your leather shoes quickly and effortlessly are mentioned. There are so many methods you can choose any process that you think will work easily for you. No doubt leather cleaning also depends upon the ingredients you have in your home. You don’t need to buy new things from the shop, you may clean your leather shoes in the best way just by applying home ingredients. Read all the methods and make your shoes like a new pair with extra shine. Surely, It will enhance your outfit look and give you the best opportunity to attend your party or event confidently.
FAQs
Can we use soap in leather shoes cleaning guide?
Soap is useful to clean your leather shoes at home. Use water and soap and you are good to go.
What should we avoid to make leather shoes new?
Hot instruments like heaters or burners, are harmful to the material of leather. It can damage your leather and make it bad. Kindly ensure to keep your leather shoes away from the sunlight too.
Is baking soda a good ingredient for leather shoe cleaning?
Yes, baking soda has bleaching properties that help in removing stains and scuffs from leather shoes. But the best way to use baking soda is, to mix it with warm water.
Is Alcohol useful for removing dirt from leather shoes?
Alcohol and petrol are the best sources of cleaning the shoes with leather material. Alcohol use can remove the oil solution properly and make your shoes bright and polished.