Leather Shoe Care Guide

If you have purchased high-quality leather shoes, then it is vital that you take good care of them in order to keep them in their best condition and to prolong their wear.

Taking proper care of your footwear will help to minimise the wear and tear, which will happen to a degree over time as leather is a natural product.

Any natural product will gradually wear down over time but this process can be delayed if you follow the right steps.

There are many variations of leather and depending on the type of leather your shoes are crafted from, the method of care can differ.

The type of leather that our shoes are crafted from has not undergone any harsh treatments. This grade of leather is a strong, durable material that will develop a wonderful patina as it ages…

With proper care, it has the ability to age well and last for years!

But you may be wondering… how can you protect your shoes to extend their life?

Here are some steps which you can follow to ensure long-lasting wear:

– Protect your shoes from getting wet where possible and try to wear them in dry environments.

– Avoid getting your shoes saturated with water, however, if this does transpire then allow them to dry naturally – on their sides opposed to their soles.

– Avoid prolonged exposure to heat or direct sunlight.

– Be mindful that leather footwear can take about 1-2 weeks of wear before softening.

It is advised to wear your new shoes for 1-2 hours a day, then increase the duration of wear over the next couple of weeks.

Your shoes will soon reach their optimum level of comfort as you gradually break them in.

– Using a Shoe Horn will help to prevent the back of the shoes from deteriorating in strength.

– Ensure any repairs are carried out promptly, by a reputable shoe repairer.

When it comes to cleaning your shoes, you need to be sure it will not cause any damage by using harsh products.

There are some basic procedures for cleaning all varieties of leather:

– Firstly, begin with removing any excess dirt with a soft brush or gentle cloth.

Horsehair brushes are a common choice.

Removing the dirt and dust by brushing the leather first, will prevent any small fragments of dirt or dust from potentially causing damage to, or ruining, the delicate leather during polishing.

– Wipe the exterior of the shoe with Leather Conditioner. This will help to nourish the leather. Apply a thin coating all over the shoe with a soft cloth and rub it in well.

– Allow this to soak in overnight where possible.

– Finally, delicately buff and apply wax polish to seal. The best wax polish contains beeswax.

– In addition to the above, it is also optional at this stage to buff to a shine again for final good measure!

In regards to general care, it is sensible to wipe down the leather 1-2 times per week with a damp cloth, or as and when they are starting to acquire dirt and grime.

Keeping your footwear clean is the best way to extend its wear.

Using a Leather Conditioner is a step that should be followed approximately 2-4 times a year.

You can also Waterproof them once a year but depending on your lifestyle and environment – this may not be required.

If your shoes begin to look dull then you can apply Polish to them.

While Polish does a fabulous job of adding a gorgeous shine to leather shoes, it is the Conditioner that is the vital step – as this soaks into the leather and ensure it remains flexible.

Conditioner also helps to aid with preventing water from percolating in.

Even if the shoes do not appear to have dulled in shine or image, it is still important to feed the leather with conditioner to prevent damage.

It is key to keep the leather flexible, as the more pliable it is, the less likely it will crack or tear.

These above steps will help you to get the most out of your footwear, as after all, it is our feet that carry us through life.

It is paramount that our footwear not only looks stylish, and is long-lasting, but is also comfortable.

Leather is a brilliant choice when it comes to footwear, as with a little care, the quality will carry you through many years.

When such attention to detail, care and skill has gone into creating our premium quality, bespoke shoes, it is crucial to us that you have the right advice to look after them.

We hope this care guide has been helpful and will provide the information you need to obtain the most out of your Leather Footwear.