How to Clean Leather Shoes

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Nothing brings an outfit together quite like a pair of sleek leather shoes. If you’ve got a great pair of leather shoes, cleaning them regularly will help you protect your investment. Don’t worry, this isn’t the complicated process you may be imagining. So long as you have the right tools at your disposal, cleaning your leather shoes is a breeze. Just keep in mind that leather has a tendency to shrink, dry out, and crack when it gets wet, so keep your leather shoes at home on rainy days and don’t use water to keep your kicks clean.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Genuine Leather

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  1. If your leather shoes have shoe laces, pull them out gently and set them aside. Never use any leather cleaning products without removing the laces, since they’re typically made of cloth and leather cleaner and polish may stain them.
    • If your laces are dirty, place them in a mesh bag and toss them in the washing machine to clean them.
  2. Lift the shoe up in your nondominant hand and gently rub the brush against the surface of the shoes to remove dirt with your other hand. Brush gently and take your time to keep the bristles from scratching the leather. To be thorough, run the brush along the seams and soles of your shoes. [1]
    • You don’t need to clean your leather shoes if they’re already pretty clean. This is a good idea if you just got home and you notice a few scuffs or chunks of dirt sticking to your shoes, though.
    • Avoid using anything with hard bristles, like a wire brush, since you could scratch the leather if you aren’t extremely careful.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Clean Leather Shoes
    Squirt a small dollop of leather cleaner on a soft-bristled brush and gently wipe the surface of the leather with the bristles. Work the cleaner into the leather by moving the brush back and forth like you’re dusting your shoes. Continue brushing until the dirty leather is restored to its former glory. [2]
    • Leather cleaner is certainly a unique product, but it’s really helpful if you want to make cleaning your leather shoes easy.
    • You can use a clean microfiber cloth if you don’t have a soft-bristled brush.
    • Avoid using water to clean your leather shoes. Water causes leather to shrink and it may dry the leather out over time, which can make your shoes stiff and wrinkly.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Clean Leather Shoes
    If you have a tough oil or grease stain on your leather shoes, cover it with an absorbent powder, like talcum or baby powder. Let it sit for 2-3 hours to absorb the oil. Softly brush the powder away with a soft brush. [3]
    • It’s pretty satisfying to brush that powder away and see that greasy mark disappear. This works because the powder lifts the moisture from the oil or grease out of the leather.
    • You can also use cornstarch to absorb oil stains, but you must leave it on for 7-8 hours to fully absorb the oil.
  5. Use the same brush or cloth you used to clean the shoes, or grab a fresh one. Spread a bead of leather conditioner on top of your leather shoes and spread it around with your brush or cloth. Wait a few minutes for the conditioner to dry, then brush or wipe off any dried-out flakes of conditioner. [4]
    • Use a leather conditioner that matches the color of your shoes. For example, if you have black leather shoes, pick up a black leather conditioner.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Clean Leather Shoes
    Grab a soft cloth and scoop up a small dollop of wax or cream leather polish. Rub the surface of each shoe with the cloth using small, circular motions. Wipe excess chunks polish away with a fresh cloth until your shoes look uniformly shiny and smooth. [5]
    • Avoid applying shoe polish to the non-leather parts of your shoes.
    • Shoe polish isn’t mandatory, but it will keep your shoes looking brand new!
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Suede

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Clean Leather Shoes
    Buy a suede brush at a shoe store or online. These brushes have special nylon bristles that won’t damage the suede while cleaning it. Brush the suede gently in a smooth back-and-forth motion. Brush the entire surface of each shoe to remove scuffs and stains. [6]
    • It might seem unnecessary, but if you want to keep your suede shoes looking amazing, you really do need a suede brush. Using a regular soft-bristled brush just won't work as well.
    • In case you were curious, suede is actually a type of genuine leather that has been sanded down to make it soft and give it texture. [7]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Clean Leather Shoes
    Rub the eraser on the surface of the scuff or smudge mark. Move in the same direction to keep from damaging the suede. Wipe away any eraser residue with your suede brush. [8]
    • Some suede brushes have a rubbery surface on the side or back of the bristles. This rubbery surface is explicitly designed to remove scuffs and smudges, so use that instead of a pencil eraser if your brush has one of these sides.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Clean Leather Shoes
    Rub a small amount of cornstarch directly into the stains. Use enough cornstarch to completely cover the suede’s fibers. Allow the powder to sit for 2-3 hours. Then, brush the area with a suede brush to knock the powder off and get rid of the greasy stain. [9]
    • Believe it or not, cornstarch will also lift out old grease stains that have completely set into the suede fibers. [10] Don’t throw out that beat up pair of suede shoes without trying this first!
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Clean Leather Shoes
    Spray your shoes with a shoe protectant spray immediately after you’ve brought them home if you can. If they haven’t been treated yet, now is the time! Spray your shoes after every cleaning. Hold the can an arm's length away from the shoes and spray the protectant evenly over the fibers. [11]
    • Basically any suede waterproofing spray you find at a sneaker or shoe store will work.
    • Suede is a beautiful fabric, but it’s quite fickle when it comes to water and tough weather. Weatherproofing your shoes will keep them safe if it starts drizzling on your way home from work. Still, do your best to keep your shoes dry.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Patent Leather

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Clean Leather Shoes
    Remove and wash your shoelaces in a mesh bag if they look a little beat up. Wet a clean cloth and add a drop of mild liquid soap. Gently rub each side of your shoes. Wipe them clean with a wet, clean cloth. [12]
    • Patent leather is basically leather that has been treated with plastic to give it a glossy finish. [13] Unlike genuine leather or suede, this glossy layer will repel water, so you can get these shoes a little damp without damaging or shrinking them.
  2. Dip a cotton swab in a small dollop of hand sanitizer. Carefully rub the swab against any unsightly scuff marks. Then, wipe off any excess hand sanitizer or residue with a clean cloth. [14]
    • In a pinch, you can also buff your shoes with petroleum jelly.
  3. Mineral oil is the main ingredient in most commercial patent leather shoe cleaners, so there’s no need to buy a special patent leather cleaner. Pour 4-5 drops of the mineral oil on a clean cloth and rub it over the surface of your shoes. Use a second clean cloth to buff your shoes until they shine. [15]
    • You can use a cotton ball instead of a clean cloth if you prefer. [16]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do you clean light colored leather shoes?
    Marc Sigal
    Shoe Care Specialist
    Marc Sigal is a Shoe Care Specialist based in Los Angeles. Marc has over 19 years of experience working in the world of e-commerce, with extensive experience with the care of luxury goods. He is currently the VP of Strategic Partnerships at Blutag, an e-commerce platform helping consumers find products. Prior to Blutag, he founded ButlerBox, a dry cleaning and shoe care service based in Los Angeles, California. ButlerBox reinvented amenity services by placing custom-designed, wrinkle-resistant lockers in luxury apartment buildings, class A office buildings, shopping centers, and other convenient locations. The company got acquired by Rinse.com in 2021. Marc has a BA in Global and International Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
    Marc Sigal
    Shoe Care Specialist
    Expert Answer
    First, avoid using water to clean your leather shoes. Water will make the leather shrink, so keep them dry if you can. Use a soft-bristled brush or microfiber towel to wipe away any dirt or debris and polish your leather shoes regularly to keep them looking new. You can also use a leather conditioner to make the leather easier to work with as well.
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  • Question
    How do I clean muddy leather shoes?
    Community Answer
    First of all remove all dirt and from your shoes with ragged cloth and use small water if it requires. Then, after, apply saddle soap to remove all small dirt and stain.
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  • Question
    How can I remove water stains from leather shoes?
    Community Answer
    Use vinegar or lemon juice. Take a cloth or soft toothbrush and dip it in watered down vinegar or lemon juice. Then gently rub the shoe to remove all stains. Take a dry cloth and properly dry the shoe. This method should not only remove water stains but also help to keep your leather shoes well maintained and shiny.
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      Tips

      • Avoid applying water or soap to suede as it will damage the leather.
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      • Deodorize your shoes by sprinkling baking soda inside of them and letting it absorb oil, sweat, and other moisture overnight.
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      Things You'll Need

      Genuine Leather

      • Soft-bristled brush
      • Clean cloths
      • Leather cleaner
      • Leather conditioner
      • Leather shoe polish

      Suede

      • Suede brush
      • Rubber eraser
      • Cornstarch
      • Silicone-based protectant spray

      Patent Leather

      • Mild soap
      • Clean cloths
      • Cotton swab
      • Hand sanitizer
      • Mineral oil

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      References

      1. ↑ Marc Sigal. Shoe Care Specialist. Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.
      2. ↑ Marc Sigal. Shoe Care Specialist. Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.
      3. ↑ Marc Sigal. Shoe Care Specialist. Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.
      4. ↑ Marc Sigal. Shoe Care Specialist. Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.
      5. ↑ https://www.esquire.com/style/advice/a46735/shoe-shine-polish-tips/
      6. ↑ Marc Sigal. Shoe Care Specialist. Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.
      7. ↑ https://stridewise.com/nubuck-vs-suede/
      8. ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-clean-suede-apartment-therapy-tutorials-218921
      9. ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-clean-suede-apartment-therapy-tutorials-218921
      1. ↑ https://www.esquire.com/style/mens-fashion/a55028/suede-shoes-stain/
      2. ↑ Marc Sigal. Shoe Care Specialist. Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.
      3. ↑ http://mensflair.com/patent-leather-shoes-care-and-cleaning/
      4. ↑ https://www.businessinsider.com/leather-buying-guide-2014-12
      5. ↑ http://www.cbc.ca/life/thegoods/how-to-clean-leather-and-suede-using-items-you-already-have-at-home-1.3958360
      6. ↑ http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/q-and-a/a2437/leather-shoes-cleaning-oct01/
      7. ↑ https://www.almanac.com/fact/use-a-little-mineral-oil-on-a

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To clean your leather shoes, wipe them down with a cloth and soapy water. Then, rub off any scuff marks using baby wipes. If there are salt stains, wipe your shoes down with diluted white vinegar. To get rid of tough grease stains on your leather shoes, sprinkle talcum powder or cornstarch on them and let the powder sit for several hours before wiping it off. When you're done cleaning your shoes, buff them with shoe polish to protect them and make them shine! If you want to learn ways to clean suede shoes, keep reading the article!

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      Reader Success Stories

      • Tamara Omondi

        May 5, 2016

        "I doubted using an eraser, but it actually worked with the suede and for leather it really helped."
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