How To Clean And Care For Leather Shoes

cleaning-leather-shoes

Maintaining a nice pair of leather shoes can seem intimidating, but it’s actually a lot easier and quicker than you may think! If you already have an old pair hiding in your closet somewhere, consider this a quick refresher course that will inspire you to get them out of the closet and onto your feet!

And if you don’t have a pair of leather shoes at home, consider this: we purchased the shoes shown in these photos at a thrift shop for $5. No kidding! And with just a little know-how and a dash of elbow grease, we took these neglected shoes from blah to beautiful! Talk about a bargain. :-)

Related: How to Clean Leather Furniture

How to Clean Leather Shoes

How To Clean And Care For Leather Shoes

You’ll need:

How to Clean Leather Shoes

Step 1 – Cleaning

The first step in revitalizing your leather shoes is to clean them up a bit. Dirt, grime, scuffs, and spots can be cleaned with a mixture of one cup of lukewarm water, and a tablespoon of gentle laundry detergent. Dip a clean, soft cloth in the solution, and gently clean the exterior of the shoes.

How to Clean Leather Shoes

Step 2 – Polishing

Next, remove the laces from the shoes, and gather your polishing supplies. You’ll need shoe polish suited for leather, a polish brush, and a clean, soft cloth. Use the polish brush to apply a thin layer of polish to the shoes. You want enough polish that it dulls the color of the shoes, but no more than that. Let the shoes sit for a while until the polish dries.

How to Clean Leather Shoes

Once the polish is dry, take your soft cloth and buff the shoes to a nice shine. For an even shinier finish, apply another thin layer of polish, and drop a few drops water onto the shoe. Don’t wait for this layer of polish to dry. Instead, buff it with a soft cloth immediately.

How to Clean Leather Shoes

Step 3 – Replace the Laces

The final step is to replace the old shoelaces with a nice, new pair. It may seem silly, but you’ll be amazed at just how much better a new pair of shoelaces will make those shoes look!

How to Clean Leather Shoes

And just like that, you’re done! Enjoy your shiny, beautiful, almost-new leather shoes. :-)

Read This Next


lash-serum10

Want more creative ideas for your home and life?

Sign up for the One Good Thing daily newsletter!

Jill Nystul Photo

Jill Nystul (aka Jillee)

Jill Nystul is an accomplished writer and author who founded the blog One Good Thing by Jillee in 2011. With over 30 years of experience in homemaking, she has become a trusted resource for contemporary homemakers by offering practical solutions to everyday household challenges.I share creative homemaking and lifestyle solutions that make your life easier and more enjoyable!

About Jillee

Jill Nystul

Jill’s 30 years of homemaking experience, make her the trusted source for practical household solutions.

About Jillee

MORE IDEAS FROM

Bright Ideas