How to care for leather shoes so they always look cool

25.02.2019

When meeting someone, many people pay attention to a person’s shoes. If she is well-groomed and tidy, you immediately get a good impression of your interlocutor. However, shoe care is not only an aesthetic aspect. Washing, cleaning and treating with protective products will extend the life of your boots. Few people change shoes every month, especially if they are expensive. Therefore, you need to know how to properly care for it and maintain a beautiful appearance.

Use specialized care products

They can be purchased from the same shoe store where you purchased your pair. Ideal if you get this set:

Cleaning agent. It is usually sold in the form of shampoo or foam.
Cream. These products contain fats or oils that maintain the natural level of moisture in the skin and make it soft and elastic. Creams are available with different pigments (there are other options besides black, white and brown), and they need to be selected to match the color of a particular pair.
Polish. This is a silicone-based product that, when applied, adds shine to the leather surface.
Impregnation. This is a protective water-repellent spray that increases the wear resistance of shoes.
Brush for footwear. Choose a tool with soft bristles. If you have several pairs of leather shoes of different colors, you will have to get a separate brush for each.
Spacers-form holders. They are necessary for drying and storing leather shoes.

Nubuck and suede

Shoes made of nubuck or suede are no different in care. It also requires careful removal of contaminants. The main advantage of these materials over leather is that they are not afraid of moisture. Suede boots can be cleaned using various liquid products and soft brushes. Remains of the soap solution can be removed with a dry cloth and the shoes can be left to dry naturally at room temperature.

Important! After nubuck or suede shoes are dry, they need to be brushed with a special brush.

Start caring for your shoes immediately after purchase

As soon as you bring a new pair home, treat its surface with a rich cream, and after a couple of hours, when it is absorbed, with leather impregnation.

Nikita Zakharov

Expert at the SuperStep sneaker store.

Before applying the spray to your shoes, test it on an inconspicuous area of your shoes or boots. For example, at the top of the heel. The product should not change the color of the skin or leave other marks.

Make sure that the impregnation also reaches the line connecting the sole with the upper: this will prevent leakage.

Photo: Yuliya Alekseeva / Shutterstock

The protective layer must be renewed at least once a month. In humid weather, water-repellent impregnation should be applied before each exit to the street.

Features of processing shoes made of different materials

Leather shoes . Needs regular treatment with cream. In winter and in the off-season, this is especially important to maintain the softness and elasticity of the material. However, the cream itself is only partially absorbed when applied, so it is useful to periodically wash the shoes with warm water and soap, removing excess.

When choosing a cream, you should pay attention to its water-repellent properties, which are a salvation from premature deterioration of the quality of the material. For additional protection, there are also aerosols with a hydrophobic and protective effect. In the case of combined shoes consisting of multi-colored fragments, a regular toothbrush comes to the rescue, allowing you to apply a separate product to each area.

It is not recommended to replace special shoe care products with cosmetic petroleum jelly, baby cream or vegetable oil. As a result, the skin gradually becomes dull, losing its original beauty.

Patent leather shoes . It differs from leather only in its coating, which creates the visual effect of a mirror-wet surface. To process such products, it is permissible to use only soft napkins resembling velvet. A guarantee of long-term use of patent leather shoes, if treated with care, can be regular moistening with special sprays and subsequent protection with appropriate wax.

Faux leather shoes . The care is practically no different from real products. The only difference is that products with natural ingredients, such as beeswax, will not work. In this case, silicone-based creams will be more useful.

Shoes made of suede and nubuck . Perhaps the most capricious in maintenance, and has a very impressive arsenal of care products. To clean such products, special rubber brushes with metal “combs”, erasers and even stones are provided to save from difficult stains.

Manufacturers categorically do not recommend moisturizing, much less washing, shoes made of suede and nubuck. As a result, the material quickly loses its aesthetics. It is much wiser to use special cleaning products and, at least once a month, treat with water-repellent sprays for additional protection. It is convenient to maintain color saturation using appropriate coloring aerosols.

As a budget cleaning product for suede and nubuck, use table salt or a strip of sulfur from a new matchbox. Steam from boiling water will help straighten the lint, and coffee grounds will help restore the brightness of the color.

Textile shoes . In case of significant soiling, it can withstand delicate washing in cool water and soap. The use of chlorine-containing detergents is unacceptable. To protect against negative influences, it is recommended to treat with special impregnations, which are available in the form of foam or spray. A high-quality product guarantees a long-lasting effect, however, taking into account the variety of textile materials used to make shoes, when choosing it, it is important to take into account the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Rubber shoes . It is easy to care for. To give freshness, in most cases it is enough to rinse the shoes under running water or simply wipe them with a dampened and then dry textile napkin.

Rubber shoes should not come into contact with gasoline, solvents, naphthalene and technical oils.

All types of shoes, list with names and photos: men's and women's shoes from A to Z

If your shoes get wet, dry them immediately

This is the first thing you should do when you return home with wet shoes or boots. The longer the leather is exposed to moisture, the more its quality will suffer.

Photo: StepPro/Shutterstock

Remove the insoles, install mold holders inside to ensure normal ventilation, and place the boots in an open place in a well-ventilated area.

It is ideal if the mold holders are made of wood: this material absorbs moisture and unpleasant odors well.

But even plastic options are better than nothing.

Never dry leather shoes on a heater, with a hairdryer or in direct sunlight. High temperature can damage the surface, change the properties of the adhesive and impregnation. Because of this, the shoes run the risk of drying out. In addition, it may become stiffer or begin to leak water.

To help your shoes dry faster, place moisture-absorbing silica gel packets, a soft, absorbent towel, or paper towel balls inside.

Genuine Leather

It is very important to properly care for leather shoes. Care should be regular and include several main stages:

Cleaning. For this procedure, you can use various soft materials: fabric, brushes, felt, sponges. You should not apply great physical force so as not to damage the material. If you clean leather shoes after each wear, you will be able to avoid stubborn stains that will be more difficult to remove.
The washing up. You can wash your boots only if the previous method could not cope with the dirt. There is a small reminder so as not to spoil your shoes while washing: first remove the laces, insoles and other parts that are removable; Wash your boots with a slightly damp cloth and be sure to dry them. Washing in an automatic machine is unacceptable, it can lead to deformation.
Drying. After cleaning or washing, wipe the boots with a dry cloth, you can put a little crumpled paper inside, it will absorb excess moisture and at the same time help maintain its shape.
Special means. It is imperative to treat new leather shoes before wearing them. Impregnation with special creams and care products will help create a protective layer on the surface of the material and extend its service life. Some impregnations add shine and restore color.

Important! During drying, only white paper should be placed in the white steam to avoid staining and color changes. Do not use bleaches or solvents to remove stains from this pair.

Under no circumstances should you use aggressive agents such as gasoline, kerosene, acetic acid, or mineral solvents for cleaning. Their use may irreversibly damage the material. The skin will lose its properties and color, and may absorb an unpleasant odor, which will be very difficult to remove at home.

Each type of leather requires its own care, due to the nature of the material.

Smooth

The most practical type of material. Despite this, it requires special care, which includes complete cleaning of dirt and previous care products, application of special impregnations and creams that match the color of the boots.

Textured

Textured shoes are best cleaned with a soft brush. Winter care includes lubricating boots with shoe wax or cream, which can protect the material from the aggressive effects of frost.

Dry only at room temperature.

Varnished

Do not use hard sponges or brushes, as they may damage the varnish. For cleaning, use only special soft products, regularly moisturize your shoes with special wax to prevent cracking of the leather.

Don't leave your shoes dirty

Minor dirt and dust can be wiped off with a soft cloth (for example, from an old cotton T-shirt) or removed with a sponge slightly moistened with warm water.

Nikita Zakharov

It is important to do this after every wear: leather is a porous material and quickly absorbs dirt, which is then very difficult to clean.

If you get your leather boots seriously dirty, clean them as soon as you get home. Otherwise, dirt may become embedded in the surface of the shoe, and this will lead to the formation of permanent stains. Use a damp cloth to remove the most obvious unwanted elements from the surface, including raindrops and snow.

Then wash your shoes with the same soft cloth or sponge soaked in soapy water. Even better, use a special cleaning shampoo or skin foam.

All this does not apply to suede shoes: after returning home, you just need to blot them with a clean towel and place them in a well-ventilated place where there is no humidity. Clean suede with a special brush and only dry it.

Removing contaminants

Both the most fashionable models of the season and practical shoes purchased with the expectation of many years of use equally require care and regular careful maintenance. Therefore, the first thing you should do when returning from the street is to clean your shoes from obvious dirt. Moreover, it is best to do this immediately, before unsightly stains dry on the surface.

Cleaning can be done in several ways:

Rinse under running water. But only quickly, without allowing the material to get completely wet. This method is good for heavy stains. Processing sequence: heel, sole, top. Complete the procedure by wiping with a soft absorbent cloth.
Wipe the shoes first with a damp cloth and then with a dry cloth. This option is suitable for smooth, slightly soiled surfaces.
Products made of suede, velor and nubuck should be cleaned exclusively when dry. Special rubberized brushes with metal inclusions will help to avoid deterioration in the appearance of these capricious surfaces.

It is strictly not recommended to put shoes in the washing machine for cleaning and use chlorine bleaches.

Treat your shoes with cream or wax every 6–7 wears

And be sure to use the cream after each wet cleansing.

The product should be applied to dry, clean shoes. Do this in a circular motion using the sponge or soft microfiber cloth included in the cream packaging. The cream will protect the skin from the appearance of microcracks, and will also help it maintain elasticity and shine longer.

Photo: Olena Yakobchuk / Shutterstock

Finally, you can apply a polish and rub the surface with a soft brush or special wipes until a characteristic shine appears.

Cosmetic procedures

After cleansing and drying, you can begin cosmetic procedures. The processing agent is selected in accordance with the material of the product. Now on sale you can find a wide variety of substances and devices for shoe care that will ensure not only absolute cleanliness, but also careful protection of any material: from natural fabric to varnished coating.

By the way, each of the care or cleansing products always has instructions for use, which must be followed as accurately as possible. As a rule, all substances are applied to a completely dry, pre-cleaned surface. The selected composition is distributed evenly. From the moment the shoes are processed until they are used, 5 to 30 minutes should pass, depending on the recommendations on the packaging.

The most common cosmetic procedures for shoes are usually polishing, which gives the pair an impeccably well-groomed look, and impregnation, which provides water- and dirt-repellent properties.

Fighting fungus and odor

When telling how to properly care for your own shoes, you cannot ignore such a sensitive point as the specific smell that appears in them over time.

An old proven method will help eliminate light odor - rub the inside of your boots or boots with regular table vinegar. By morning the smell will disappear. In more severe situations, it is recommended to use ethyl alcohol in the same way.

To get a lasting effect, multiple treatments will be required. Repeat it daily for at least a decade.

Wet methods are not suitable for delicate materials. Here it is more correct to use some kind of adsorbent.

Suitable:

charcoal (preferably briquettes);
dry peas;
salt;
starch.

Any of these components is poured into a sock, and the latter is placed in the shoes.

Replacing the insole greatly simplifies the situation. It absorbs most of the sweat and bacteria and, in fact, becomes the main source of odor. Buy several sets - this will be enough for the season. For very difficult cases, there are special insoles, they have a layer of activated carbon.

Tip: Regular daily feminine sanitary pads can remove excess moisture from shoes. Just place them under your feet.

Special sprays fight the fungus. The domestic industry produces good drugs under the following names:

Bitsin;
Dezavid;
Mycostop.

Traditional methods are ineffective in this situation.

How to properly store shoes

To prevent shoes from losing their shape, they must be stored correctly. And even while you are actively using it. A good solution would be storage pads. You can take those that come with the sale of shoes - however, they are usually made of foam and are not very reliable.

Consider purchasing special wooden blocks (preferably cedar or beech). They will keep their shape perfectly and absorb moisture if your shoes get wet. Thanks to this device, boots and boots will look neat for a long time.

Where to buy pads

Blocks made from Rendez-vous cedar, from unpainted cedar from Checkroom, from natural wood from Sbemegamarket.

Additional cleaning tips - what else to consider

To properly wash your shoes, it is recommended to pay attention to the following tips and nuances of the work ahead:

Any shoe cleaning products should be chosen only in specialized stores. They will not be able to harm the material, and will not be toxic or caustic.
How to clean the inside of shoes? To do this, manufacturers advise using modern detergents that are stable foam. It allows you to thoroughly and carefully wash your shoes from the inside. It is important to note that when thinking about how to polish the inside of boots, it is recommended to use this option, since it does not require washing off the foam from the base.
It is recommended to keep any cleaning products on the basis of a particular material for at least 15 minutes. During this time, you will be able to clean your shoes to a shine, as well as give them powerful protective properties.
How to polish the surface of shoes or boots? To do this, you will need to buy shoe polish or special shoe polish. After this, it will need to be applied to the boots in a thin layer, and then evenly distributed with a brush.
How to properly wash suede? To prevent the material from spoiling its appearance, you should use only cleaning foam, special erasers and napkins for cleaning.
How to clean natural fabric? When cleaning it, it is recommended to use powders designed for cleaning delicate materials. Such cleaning compositions easily remove all dirt without harming the fabric.
How to clean varnished coating? In this case, wash it with special products designed for cleaning patent leather shoes. How to wash patent leather shoes? Placing them in water is strictly prohibited, so the cleaning agent must be applied directly to the surface.
How to clean the base of shoes or boots that are too dirty? To do this, it is recommended to make foam from laundry soap, and then use the cleaning composition of your choice.
If you wash your shoes rarely, they must be polished after this procedure.

We answered questions about how to wash shoes and what rules exist for caring for them. By following them, you will be able to properly care for your boots and not damage their integrity.

For nutrition and polishing

The materials used to make footwear tend to dry out. For this reason, they require food. For this purpose, you can use cream, balm, lotion, conditioner. It is better to apply the product not with a sponge, but with a special brush (non-rigid) or a piece of cloth. After the material has dried, you need to start polishing. For this purpose, polishing wax, which has water-repellent properties, is widely used. Nutrition and polishing products will help maintain the original appearance of boots for as long as possible.

Cream

The offered shoe creams are thick (based on organic solvents) and liquid (emulsion). The first ones are best used in bad weather. They are suitable for products made of thick genuine leather. The latter are most effective in the warm season. They contain fewer solvents, which are replaced by water. Liquid shoe polish is ideal for an elegant pair of shoes made of thin leather. Compared to oily, thick formulations, it has a lower level of protection, but it provides long-lasting shine. Popular options:

Collonil Nano Cream. An innovative product with nanoparticles. Cares for footwear, protecting them from deep dirt. Contains beeswax. Has a pleasant smell, suitable for Hi-Tech materials. Price – 546 RUR/50 ml.

High Shine Niki Line. Liquid cream-gloss for smooth skin. Nourishes, maintains elasticity and at the same time protects from drying out. Sold in a bottle with a sponge. Price – 410 RUR/75 ml.

Salamander Wetter Schutz. Cream with natural beeswax, intended for the care of smooth leather products. Intensively nourishes, renews color and keeps the material soft and elastic. Adds additional shine. Has water-repellent properties. Price – 149 rub./100 g.

Kiwi Shoe Polish. Designed for the care of smooth leather products. The composition contains a unique wax from Carnauba palm leaves, which provides intensive care, nutrition, protects against water, and gives lasting shine. Sold in a metal can. Price – 55 rub./60 g.

Kari. Helps restore the original color and adds shine without polishing. Contains palm wax. Available in black and brown colors. Price – 99 RUR/75 ml.

Wax

On sale in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities there are products for the care of women's and men's shoes in the form of wax. If you impregnate the material of the products with this composition, it will help them survive the vagaries of the weather and maintain an impeccable appearance. Shoe wax softens and cares for natural leather, protecting it from damage. The components included in the composition will protect the boots from drying out and give their surface smoothness and shine. High-quality wax can replace two leather care products at once: cream, water-repellent spray . A few examples:

Saphir Amiral Gloss. Polishing polish, which contains hard waxes, fats, and oils. Created specifically to give a pair of shoes a mirror shine. Before polishing, it is recommended to thoroughly clean the surface with special creams. It can be black or colorless. Price – 700 RUR/50 ml.

Saphir Pate de Luxe. Polishing wax that is ideal for high-gloss polishing of footwear products. It is a complex of mixtures based on carnauba wax, turpentine, beeswax and other components. Deeply impregnates leather material, renews color, softens, gives intense shine, water-repellent properties. Price – 550 RUR/50 ml.

Saphir Mirror Gloss. Polishing wax based on waxes, oils, resins. Gives boots, shoes and other items shine. Available in black. Price – 1400 RUR/75 ml.

Colorless shoe wax Twist

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How to store high top shoes

These shoes require special conditions. If high boots are put away in a box or simply placed in a closet, creases may form on the leather or suede. To prevent this from happening, use special devices.

Shape holders - they look like hangers, which have long “ears” on the sides; in fact, the boot clings to these ears, thanks to which the boot does not lose its shape. Shoe clips are similar to plastic pliers, they are inserted into the boot and secure the boot. Such products are foldable and adjustable in height, so they fit any model of boots. Shelf holders are offered in a variety of designs and shapes, and are products with latches in several places - the boot is “inserted” into them, and the boot is stored without folds or deformation, to the delight of the housewives.

Where to buy goods

Ozon mold holders, Wildberries set of clamps, shelf holder Decent store.

Protection from water, dirt and reagents

Shoes must be protected from moisture, dirt and reagents. Today, manufacturers offer different types: nano-impregnations, impregnations with fluorocarbon resins or water-based ones. When choosing an impregnation, rely on versatility and the absence of silicone.

Nano-impregnations are applied as the top layer (after the cream), and fluorine cardboard works with pores, so this impregnation must be applied as the first layer (before the cream).

Always treat new shoes with cream and impregnation; you don’t know how the product was stored and transported!

We wrote earlier how to choose the right impregnation for shoes and how they differ.

Folk remedies for shoes and boots

Every housewife will have tools that will help put her shoes in order and protect them from adverse factors. Methods of caring for shoes “from the people” have a right to exist, as they have been tested for decades.

Vegetable fats (sunflower, castor, flaxseed oil) help give the skin shine and protect against moisture penetration. Oil is applied to a small swab and the entire surface of the shoe is treated, except for the sole. This procedure will also relieve the skin from drying out. Many people also use unsalted lard as a water repellent.

To make your shoes shine, you can dilute regular soap in water and add a few drops of ammonia. Wipe the skin with a napkin soaked in the solution. And water and potassium permanganate will help get rid of the unpleasant odor. Several crystals are dissolved in a liter of water and the inner surface of the boot is treated with the resulting solution.

Caring for leather shoes requires time and the purchase of special products. But it is better to give it the necessary attention than to throw it away because of its unsightly appearance or damage in the form of cracks.

Cleansing

Try to use dry cleaning foams for cleaning. If you wash shoes made of genuine leather “under the tap”, all the beneficial substances that maintain their elasticity will be washed away.

Apply foam to the surface to be treated. Rub with a brush or cloth until the dirt and foam completely disappear.

Remove dirty foam with a dry, clean cloth. Before the next step, the shoes must be completely dry (~30 minutes).

IMPORTANT:
Be sure to test all cleaners in a hidden area for the quality of the shoe dye.