There’s no better feeling than bringing home a new pair of leather shoes. But if you want to keep your new Roberto Morino shoes in tip-top condition, you’ll need to spend some time on leather shoe care.
From protecting and maintaining your leather shoes to cleaning, storing and polishing them. This guide will cover everything you need to know about taking care of leather shoes.
To see our full range of mens leather footwear, view our collection.
How to Take Care of Leather Shoes
A pair of leather shoes is an investment. Whether you wear them every day or only on special occasions, a good pair of leathers should last you a long time. Leather shoes do require care to keep them looking as dapper as you.
Don’t Wear Them Every Day
The best way to protect your leather shoes is by not wearing them every day. You’ll need at least two pairs of shoes so that you can alternate between each pair during the week.
By not wearing them every day, you’ll allow the leather to breathe. Unfortunately, feet sweat during the day which creates moisture. Your leather shoes absorb this. Damp leather is much more likely to scuff, stretch, stain and crease, which is not ideal.
Giving your shoes a day off between wearing can help give them a much longer lifespan.
Clean Your Leather Shoes Daily
Leather shoes aren’t low maintenance shoes. They spend the whole day making you look good, so they deserve a good cleaning at the end of the day. A daily pampering for your shoes will eliminate any grime or dirt that could taint and stain your shoes in the long run.
You should ideally be cleaning leather shoes after every time you wear them. This shouldn’t take you more than a minute. Just make sure you have a microfiber cloth or a shoe brush close by. Keeping your leather shoes clean is essential. You can also invest in a leather cleaner to help you keep your leather footwear in tip-top shape.
Choosing the Right Leather Cleaner
When it comes to leather shoe care products, the right leather cleaner can make a huge difference. Especially when it comes to the appearance and longevity of your genuine leather footwear. Choosing a product from a well-known brand is a good idea since they usually know what they are doing. But you can also check with your shoe manufacturer what type of leather cleaner they recommend.
Alternatively, you can always ask your local cobbler for their recommendations. You can also research leather cleaners in your area to find the best care for your leather shoes. These experts will be able to give you tips for buying the right leather shoe care products.
Buy Each Pair a Shoe Tree & Dust Bag
Maintaining leather shoes is an essential part of leather shoe care. To extend your shoe’s longevity, it’s a good idea to buy a shoe tree and a dust bag for storage. You’ll need to invest in a good quality shoe tree and dust bag for each pair.
A decent shoe tree will help your shoes keep their shape. It will also help to absorb both odour and moisture (preventing those horrible shoe creases). Choose either a cedar or poplar wood shoe tree.
A dust bag, on the other hand, helps to keep dust off your shoes. Over time, dust can cause your shoes to degrade and stain. A fabric dust bag allows your shoes to breathe while giving them the protection they deserve.
Don’t Go Walking in the Rain
While avoiding an unexpected downpour is impossible, you should try to keep your shoes away from puddles, rain, snow, dew and mud. Even if your shoes are waterproofed, the water can still have unpleasant effects on your footwear.
If your shoes have leather soles, they are even more vulnerable to wet surfaces. A way to avoid unexpected weather affecting your shoes, keeping a pair of spare non-leather shoes in your car or at the office can be a lifesaver.
If you accidentally get your shoes wet, don’t expose them to heat. Instead, just grab your shoe tree and store your shoes until they dry.
Remember to Polish Leather Shoes
Ideally, your leather shoes should be treated to a polish every six wears. If you struggle to keep track of how many times you’ve worn your shoes, then try to give them a good polish every two weeks.
If you don’t give your leathers frequent polishing, they’ll get too dry, which can lead to cracking. Polishing leather shoes helps in protecting them from dust and water while adding some moisture. The polish can also mask blemishes and scuffs while restoring the colour (just make sure you choose the right colour polish).
Should I Choose Wax or Cream Shoe Polish?
Wax can offer better protection to your shoes and increase the shine, but it does tend to dry out the shoes more than cream. In contrast, a cream polish provides a natural finish and offers more moisture.
The type of polish you choose depends on personal preference, but you can also opt for both types. You can start by applying cream polish with a microfiber cloth and then add wax.
If you really want to give your leather shoes the full monty, you can use a brush. Then use a polishing glove to finish off.
Cleaning Leather Shoes – Finished vs Unfinished Leather Shoe Care
Finished leather shoes have an extra layer of protection on them. It’s easier to clean and condition while protecting its colour. While unfinished or natural leather requires a bit more care and attention.
It’s important to identify which type of leather shoes you have because they require slightly different cleaning methods.
The surface of finished leather shoes can be cleaned with a damp cloth and mild soap. A microfiber cloth is the best option for leather shoe care since sponges can contain unpleasant chemicals that will hurt your shoes.
If you’ve got a pair of natural leather shoes, you’ll need a saddle soap. Use your cloth to create a lather with the soap and rub the soap into your shoes, wiping off any excess. Leave your shoes to dry naturally so the wax in the soap can do its job in sealing and protecting your shoes.
Final Thoughts on Shoe Leather Maintenance
When you buy leather shoes, you’ll want to make sure they last as long as possible. Leather shoes do require care and maintenance to keep them in good condition.
But with proper shoe storage, polishing, cleaning and treatment, you’ll have your leather shoes for a lifetime. To view our range of leather shoes, head over to our collection page or see them in person at one of our stores.
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