How To Care For Leather Footwear

Leather footwear adds a class and sophistication to your outfit. Most of the people go for leather ones when it comes to look classy at certain important occasions. Be it impressing your new employer or finalizing the business deal or meeting your girlfriend's parents, you can always trust upon the pair of leather shoes to make an everlasting impression. Fine leather comes expensive, hence in order to protect them, proper handling is crucial for leather shoes. Besides polishing, you need to do a regular shoe-care. I have pen down some useful tips, which will help you to maintain your shoes for longer:

Cleaning

After using your shoes, keep in mind to clean them with a piece of cloth. This would help in removing the dust particles. You can also use soft brush to clean them. Clean your shoes on regular basis during rainy season because the mud that sticks to the shoes dries up and results in flaking of the leather. If possible, avoid wearing leather footwear during monsoons. Use cleaning solutions like creams, gels, foams and sprays to clean the grime inside the crevices.

Conditioning

You can opt for a good quality shoe conditioner available in the market or you can also use petroleum jelly. Dab some petroleum jelly on the shoe, and wipe it in circular motions with a soft cloth. Condition your shoes, at least once in a week, to retain the shine. Select the conditioner, according to the texture of the leather. Dry the shoes properly, after conditioning.

Polishing

Use a branded shoe polish to shine your shoes. Do not compromise on the quality of the polish. Polish your shoes regularly, depending upon the usage. A fresh coat of polish can completely change the look of old, worn-out shoes. However, if you wish to change the color of your footwear, do not try to do it by using a different shoe polish. You can go to the shoe repair shop and get the color changed.

Storing

If you don't use your leather footwear regularly, you should store them in a proper way. Never put away your shoes, immediately after use. Allow them to dry properly; otherwise, they will be covered in fungus. Dust some talcum powder and cover the inside of the shoe with paper-napkin. Wrap the shoes carefully in a paper, without disturbing their shape and store them in a cloth bag.

Protecting

Leather footwear is likely to catch fungal infestation. To protect your shoes from fungus, always dry them well after you use them. Even if you find your shoes covered in fungus, do not worry. You can always get rid of the fungus. Take a toothbrush and soap solution and clean the fungus from the shoe. Clean the crevices properly and make sure there is no trace of the infestation. Dry the shoes in bright sunlight.

A little care is what you need to make your investment in leather shoes worthwhile. I hope the above tips will help you to preserve your treasure for a long time.