How do I keep my favorite leather shoes and boots in new condition for as long as possible? Preventive care, proper storage and the right shoe cleaning!
With our shoe care guide, you can keep a good pair of leather shoes in top shape for decades.
1. Impregnate new shoes
To the question ‘How do you care for leather shoes?’ the simple answer is: ‘Immediately and regularly impregnate!’ This first step is the linchpin to keeping your smooth and suede shoes from wearing out. As soon as you take your shoes out of the shoe box for the first time, you should treat them with a waterproofing spray. The protective coating works as a sealant to prevent moisture, oil and dirt from penetrating the leather and ruining your shoes. After that, the protection must be refreshed regularly.
2. Shoe trees for what?
If you insert a shoe tree immediately after wearing your shoes, you will ensure that they retain their shape. Any creases that may have developed in walking can thus be smoothed out again and the leather stretched back to its original state.
3. Store shoes properly
Proper shoe storage is part of shoe care. The credo is: dark, cool and dry! Make sure your shoes are clean and dry before you put them in the closet or on the shelf. You can also store them in a shoe bag or shoe box with small air holes to protect them from dust and sunlight. Shoe trees also prevent leather shoes from losing their shape over time during long-term storage.
4. Quick shoe cleaner in between.
Hardly anyone has time to thoroughly clean their shoes after every wear. This is not even necessary. If you have a handy express shoe sponge with built-in care emulsion always at hand, you can remove everyday dirt in seconds and also care for your leather shoes. This will help you not only keep your shoes clean and supple, but also delay the next big shoe cleaning.
5. How often to clean shoes?
A thorough deep cleaning and care of your leather shoes may be necessary every 2 weeks to only 1-2 times a year. The deciding factor is whether you…
- wear your shoes frequently,
- regularly provide them with new waterproofing protection,
- expose your shoes to unfavorable weather conditions such as rain, snow and cold,
- egularly clean and care for your shoes with an Express Shoe Sponge.
