A proper conditioning and care can keep your leather shoes in great shape and look. It is important to keep your leather shoes in a shoe bag and in a well-ventilated area as some leather care products are very strong and can cause irritations. There are three stages in leather care, which include cleaning, conditioning and protection.

To clean a leather item, always remove dirt by cleaning with leather cleaner made. For smooth leather, always use the leather cleaner made especially for smooth leathers. Shoe cleaners are in different forms such as gels, foams, sprays, liquids and creams, be certain to test it out for effect of possible color distortion. You are recommended to use a soft shoe brush to help removing dirt from the surface of the shoe. Leave the shoes dry for a few minutes after cleaning, and start shining the shoes with a soft cotton cloth.

Leather conditioners are recommended for occasional use, which contains fats and/or oils used to lubricating leather and replenishing the suppleness. Conditioning your leather shoes can help soften and moisture the leather, and protect it from drying out and cracking. Suede and smooth leather should be treated differently. For smooth leather shoes, apply some amounts of conditioner into the shoe for a few minutes and wipe the conditioner off the shoes. Suede shoes can not be painted with shoe polish or wiped with water. Remove the dusts softly with a brush and spray with a protective agent after.

Waterproofing your leather shoes can help to extend the life of your shoes. Apply moisture barrier products on leather shoes and allow it time to penetrate and dry. Since different waterproofing products serve different purpose, it is important to select the best method to protect your leather shoes.

Beeswax products construct a protective layer on the surface of the shoe rather than being absorbed into the leather, but the additional layers may influence the appearance of the shoes. Alternatively, a spray protestant plays a different magic. It provides a breathable barrier against mild to moderate wet conditions and dirt without influencing the appearance.

In case you have not apply moisture barrier products on leather shoes and get them wet, please clean the shoes surface with a dry cloth. Stuff the inner sole with newspapers for absorbing the moistures and fix the shape of the shoes. Then, dry them on a newspaper and avoid exposure to sunlight or pack it into cabinet immediately.