Owing a pair of high-quality leather shoes speaks of the taste and style of wearing the best and most comfortable footwear. Leather shoes are likely to last a lifetime, but only if you take proper care of them. With just a few simple tips and tricks, they can start looking like new for many years to come. Here, we delve into the essential topic ‘ How to Clean & Condition Leather Shoes for a Long Lifespan’. The tips will help you keep your leather shoes in brand-new condition so that you can enjoy them for as long as possible.
Understanding Leather Types
Before diving into the cleaning techniques, it is important to understand the type of leather you are dealing with. The following are the most common leather types:
- Full-Grain Leather: This type of leather is the most expensive and is of the highest quality. It has longer durability and develops a beautiful patina over time.
- Top Grain Leather: This is the second highest quality of leather. Its surface is slightly sanded to remove imperfections.
- Split Grain Leather: This is a lower-quality type of leather. It is not as durable and strong as full-grain or top-grain leather but is used as lining material for bags.
- Nubuck: It is a type of top-grain leather, which is sanded on the outer surface to give it a slight nap of short protein fibres, which eventually results in a velvety surface.
- Patent Leather: This type of leather is known for its glossy and shiny finish.
Step-by-Step Cleaning Guide
Cleaning leather shoes is essential to keep them looking their best. Following is a step-by-step guide on cleaning leather shoes:
- Removing Dirt and Debris: Knock your shoes to shake off the dirt. Then gently use a dry cloth to wipe away any remaining particles.
- Applying Leather Cleaner: Clean the surface of the shoes with a wet cloth and a mild soap solution. Gently rub in a circular motion to remove any stain without causing any harm to the leather.
- Polishing and Conditioning: Apply a leather conditioner to keep the material moisturised. This step is very important to maintain the longevity of your leather shoes.
If you are seeking the best leather cleaner in Bangalore, The Laundry Basket is there to take care of your leather shoes.
Dealing With Stains
Every leather lover’s nightmare is an accidental spill or stain in their expensive leather shoes. However, knowing how to deal with such stains or how to restore leather shoes can save the day. If it is a liquid spill, you can gently clean it with a cloth or paper and let the leather dry naturally. If it is an ink stain, you can immediately dab with a dry cloth to absorb as much ink as possible. And later by using a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab, gently lift the rest of the ink.
Additional Tips for Leather Shoe Care
- Avoid getting your shoes wet whenever possible, as water is leather’s biggest enemy.
- When not wearing your leather shoes, store them appropriately inside a cool dry place to avoid discoloration or fading.
- Avoid storing leather items in plastic bags, instead use cloth bags or well-ventilated areas.
Leather is very vulnerable to degradation factors and needs extra special attention to ensure that it stays beautiful for the years to come. Luckily, the above-mentioned tips and strategies, if followed in a daily routine, can make a difference and can preserve your leather shoes for the long run. If you are in Bangalore and are searching for a shoe wash near me or shoe dry cleaning near me, then The Laundry Basket is there to take care of all your needs. Our team caters to delivering shoe dry-cleaning in Bangalore, across cities and states. You can fill out the schedule form online on our website and our team will get back to you the quickest.
