How to Clean and Care for Smooth Leather Shoes

When you care for your shoes, they not only benefit from a nicer appearance, but they will last longer as well.

It makes sense to care for your leather shoes whether or not you spend a lot of money on them. Of course, if you are spending big bucks for a pair of designer shoes, you may want to take extra special care with your shoes and protect your investment. After all, some designer shoes can become collectibles. But even if you do not have a lot of money to spend on shoes, you need to care for the ones you do have. You may prevent having to buy shoes to often or buy extra pairs for different occasions.

Leather can dry out easily if it is not cared for properly. In fact, they will ultimately crack and fall apart without proper care. Then you won't want to wear them out of the house even if they were very expensive.

You cannot just apply a coat of shoe polish when your shoes start to look scruffy, rather you need to take steps to protect and preserve your leather shoes, as well as to keep them looking good.

In order for your shoes to keep looking their best, follow these four steps: clean, condition, polish and preserve/ weatherproof.

There are distinct differences between caring for leather shoes and caring for shoes made of other materials such as suede, exotic skins, nubeck or athletic shoes.

To care for smooth leather shoes like those of men's or women's dress shoes, you can purchase products at most general stores, shoe stores and shoe repair stores. If you do not feel comfortable cleaning and caring for your own shoes, shoe repair shops will clean, polish and condition them, normally for a reasonable price. However, you can learn to care for them yourself. Make sure that the products you buy are meant for smooth leather shoes. You should have the following products on hand: newspapers, gloves, soft cloths or soft rags, soft shoe brush, smooth leather shoe cleaner and conditioner, shoe polish and leather protectant, such as a waterproofing product. Follow the instructions for the products that you purchased. Only use the products designed for your specific shoe materials. (For example, do not use products designed for suede shoes on smooth leather shoes.)

More shopping guides:
Shoe types :: Bedroom clothing :: Work clothing
T-shirts and more :: Staying fit