How to clean, care and protect your leather shoes
Leather, one of the most versatile materials there is. A well-worn shoe is one thing, a well-loved shoe is a different ballpark. With a good routine, you can ensure a beautiful patination of your shoes while making them unquestionably yours.
Like with all shoe care, the process involves three main steps: Clean, Care and Protect.
In this blog article, we’ll show you precisely what to do to give life back and restore your leather shoes.
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Clean
Starting off, remove the shoelaces to ensure every part of the shoe is easily accessible during the cleaning process. This simple step makes a significant difference in the thoroughness of the restoration
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Using a damp cloth, gently wipe away dust and coarse dirt from the surface of the shoes. This initial cleaning prepares the leather for a more detailed treatment and ensures no debris interferes with the restoration products.
For the next step, a brush is crucial to remove any lingering dirt, especially in the nooks between the shoe's sole and upper part. While the Saphir Welt Brush is ideal for this task, a regular horsehair brush will also do the job effectively.
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Apply a small amount of Saphir Leather Cleaner onto a clean polishing cloth and gently clean the shoe until any previously applied polish or wax is removed. Allow the shoes to dry completely. You'll notice the leather might appear somewhat matte at this stage, but not to worry — this is expected.
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Care
Now that you've completed the first steps in reviving your shoes, it's time to explore the "care"-phase.
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Condition the Leather
Using a polishing cloth, apply Renovateur Cream to condition and moisturize the leather. The Renovateur also has mild cleaning properties, which further benefits the leather. Allow the shoes to dry, then brush them to bring out a subtle shine.
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Apply Shoe Cream
Choose a shoe cream that matches the colour of your shoes closely, unless you're aiming for a colour shift. Using your fingers (to feel how the cream absorbs into the leather), an application brush, or a polishing cloth, apply the cream. Ensure you cover the entire shoe, including the tongue, and let the polish dry. Once dry, the excess of what remains of the cream can be brushed off. This step may be repeated, especially after a thorough cleaning.
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Shine
Apply one or two thin layers of wax over the entire shoe with your fingers or a polishing cloth. Ensure your polishing cloth is smooth and wrapped tightly around your fingers.
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To build up a polish, apply more wax and a bit of water; the cloth should be damp but not overly wet. Afterwards, brush the shoe lightly, avoiding the heel cap and toe if you desire a high shine in those areas.
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For the dedicated, a mirror gloss finish can be achieved. Focusing on the toe and heel cap, apply one to three additional layers of wax (and water) in between polishing. The friction from rapid, light, circular motions eventually produces a glossy finish.
Heads up: Applying too much wax, especially in areas of the shoe that flex, will result in an accumulation of the product as you walk, resulting in more visible creases.
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Optional Finishing Touches
Though not a must, you can finish the process with a nylon stocking or a goat hair brush for an even finer shine. Additionally, mirror gloss wax can be a more accessible alternative to regular wax if you are looking for a highly glossy finish, requiring less effort as it is specifically made to produce a maximal sheen.
Protect
Besides polishing the shoe, the wax also protects it from dirt and moisture, considerably prolonging the material's life.
As a final step, consider applying a sole guard to protect the shoe's sole, helping it withstand moisture.
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