How long leather shoes and other leather products last depends on how well you care for them. Leather is incredibly durable, but it can break down without proper care. Taking care of leather shoes comes down to a few things, namely keeping them clean and dry and using the right care products on them.
Avoid Wearing Them Every Day
Leather shoes look amazing, so it is understandable why you would want to wear your favourite pair as much as possible. However, just like your skin, leather needs to breathe.
For this reason, you should own at least two pairs of leather shoes, with many experts advising that you get at least three pairs. If you go to the office five or six days a week, you will only wear each pair twice every week.
Remember that your feet sweat just like the rest of the body. Due to the nature of the material, the leather in your shoes absorbs this moisture. When it does, it becomes more susceptible to staining, creasing, scuffing, and stretching.
Clean Them After Every Wear
Make a habit of cleaning your leather shoes every time you wear them. Do so with a microfiber cloth or shoe brush, as you will keep dirt and grime that can stain your shoes away.
Polish Them Regularly
In the same way we do not want leather to get wet, you should also ensure it does not get too dry. When leather becomes too dry, it can crack, making shoes worthless. You can avoid this by polishing them every five or six wears.
Shoe polish not only moisturises the leather, but it also protects it from water and dust. It also forms a protective layer and hides blemishes and scuffs. You can choose from wax or cream shoe polish, and there are many colour options on the market. You can check out the leather care options from Saphir to see the different shoe polish and leather care products that will help you look after your leather shoes.
Do Not Wear Leather Shoes in Bad Weather
Water, salt, and snow can and do destroy leather shoes. Water stains leather shoes very fast, and leather soles are very vulnerable to wet abrasive surfaces such as concrete. If you think the weather will be bad, getting waterproof protection for your leather shoes or carrying a different pair with you is best.
Do not dry your leather shoes in direct sunlight or near a radiator if they get wet. Sunlight and heat can dry the leather too fast, causing it to crack and damage the shoe. Instead, place them somewhere warm where they can dry out slowly.
Store Them with a Leather Tree in Them
One part of caring for leather shoes that many people forget is using a shoe tree. Leather absorbs moisture and odours from the air, which can eventually destroy it. A shoe tree absorbs this moisture and odour instead while also ensuring the shoe remains in the correct shape.
Leather shoes are great, but they need some care if they are to remain looking amazing and last for a long time. The good news is that caring for leather shoes is not difficult, but there are some things you must keep in mind.
