Everyday Cleaning Tips To Keep Your Shoes Clean
We’ve written several blogs about looking after your shoes - leather shoes, suede shoes, white sneakers, you name it. We go pretty in-depth into each one but we wanted to round up the wisest, all-encompassing day-to-day shoe cleaning methods that our team swears by when it comes to keeping their favourite pairs looking fresh and clean below.
Ok, she tries but maybe it doesn’t actually happen as often as that. But ideally, you are aiming for a fairly regular wipe-down with a wet wipe after a few wears (if not daily). You’re trying to get rid of dirt while it’s still not ingrained in the leather and before it accumulates. Make sure you get the wipe into those sneaky corners where dirt builds up easily.
Eucalyptus oil is a good one to have on hand as well for cleaning the rubber soles on your sneakers and keeping them looking fresh. Only use this on rubber soles though.
Erasing scuff marks off leather
Using a clean WHITE eraser gently rub any scuff marks on your leather or patent leather shoes. It’s as easy as that.
Cleaning microsuede
Dishwashing liquid is the secret ingredient for getting rid of oil and sugar stains. Dilute some in warm water and then use a cloth or sponge to gently remove any stains. Wipe off the excess and allow to dry.
Drying your shoes after cleaning
Stuff your shoes with paper after cleaning to help them retain their shape as they dry and allow them to dry naturally. Do not be tempted to place your shoes next to a heater or in direct sunlight as this will damage the leather.
Brushing your suede shoes with a suede brush after each wear is one of the easiest ways to keep dirt from getting ingrained in the suede. For tougher scuffing and marks, use a suede eraser or a clean WHITE eraser and gently rub in the direction of the grain.
Avoid exposing leather and suede to water
Most people don’t realize that leather is porous and will absorb water. The more expensive the leather, the more that is likely to happen. Therefore, avoid wearing your nice leather boots on a rainy day and opt instead for faux leather. If you do get caught in the rain, make sure to dry them out as soon as possible as discussed above.
As for suede, this material is even more sensitive to water than regular leather is. Water will stain suede shoes. Avoid wearing them on rainy days as well. If you do find a sneaky water stain on your boots, don’t panic. Try brushing. If that doesn’t work, try a suede eraser or a clean white eraser. If that doesn’t work, try white vinegar as detailed in our ‘Looking After Suede Shoes Blog’.
Storing your shoes correctly is just as important as cleaning. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Allow your shoes to air for 24 hours after wearing them to keep the insides fresh and odour-free as well as allowing the soles to bounce back to their original shape
- Store them in a well-ventilated place out of direct sunlight
- Stuff them when in storage
- Don’t stack them