Clean Your Leather Shoes After Each Wear
Giving your leather shoes a quick wipe down after wearing keeps dirt, salt, and oils from breaking the material down over time. For smooth finishes, simply use a soft dry cloth to gently buff away dust, restoring the nice shine. For textured leathers like suede or nubuck, use a soft bristle brush to lift debris from the crevices and seams instead. If you happen to get a difficult stain or ground-in dirt, mixing a small amount of mild leather cleaner diluted in warm water onto a rag can help lift it. Test any cleaner first in a hidden spot rather than widespread application right away. And be sure to let the shoes fully air dry before putting them into storage, as trapped moisture causes issues over time. Stuffing them with paper as they dry helps maintains the form.
Different leather types have different cleaning needs too. Patent leather can simply be gently wiped down with a damp cloth and then polished dry. A rubber eraser can lift scuff marks on patent leather quite well. Suede leather needs more soft brushing with a suede brush to revive the nap, using an eraser bar very carefully on any dingy spots. And nubuck leather shows scuffs readily, so brush very gently with a soft nail brush across the grain. Applying the right conditioner after cleaning also prolongs the life of leather shoes in between wears.
Store Leather Shoes In A Dust Bag
Preventing dust buildup on stored leather shoes keeps them looking pristine much longer. Placing each pair in its own breathable dust bag provides a protective cover that still allows fresh air circulation. Fold or lightly stuff with paper before slipping into the bag to retain the shape. Marking the shoes type and size on the fold-over tie enables easy identification without unwrapping everything. Porous materials like cambric, flannel, muslin, canvas and twill make good protective dust barriers. Store the covered shoes on open shelving or in wide cotton storage boxes that breathe - not sealed airtight plastic containers which can trap moisture.
Don't Wear Them Every Day
Letting leather shoes fully air out and rest between wears helps the inner construction regain shape and padding resilience. The general rule of thumb is wearing leather shoes no more than 3 times a week for best longevity. Shoes worn several days in a row don't have a chance to dry out, which allows moisture to accumulate inside, breaking down adhesives and linings over time. For leather boots, remove the inner soles completely after use and insert shoe trees or scrunched paper overnight while airing to help them hold form better between wears. If storing multiple pairs of shoes, keep space between them on shelves for airflow circulation to prevent moisture buildup. Placing extra shoe paper inside pairs that will sit helps retain the form too.
The Ideal Storage Environment
In addition to proper storage methods and maintenance, the physical storage conditions also play a role in preserving fine leather goods. Monitoring and controlling factors like temperature, humidity, and light exposure helps create an optimal leather preservation environment.
The ideal conditions for leather storage are cool, dark, and consistently dry. Aim to keep the storage area at about 68°F if possible, as heat causes leather to dry out faster. And leather items being stored should not be placed directly on concrete floors or against exterior walls where more temperature fluctuation happens.
Also aim for a storage humidity level between 40-50% to prevent mold growth issues. Leather can withstand low humidity better than extreme dampness. Use portable hygrometers to monitor humidity and adjustable dehumidifiers to regulate it in basements or attics.
In terms of light, ultraviolet rays in sunlight and bulbs can fade and dry leather over years. Keep storage areas dark or minimize light exposure time on displayed items to prevent oxidation damage from occurring.
Maintaining protective stable conditions reduces rapid changes that deteriorate leather goods in storage. Coupled with hands-on preventative practices like cleaning and conditioning, monitoring the full storage environment creates ideal long term preservation for fine footwear investments. Paying attention to ambient factors means one less thing to worry about as leather rests between wearings.
Check Them Regularly
Periodically inspecting stored leather shoes helps catch deterioration issues early while they can still be treated. Carefully check and feel the leather for any brittleness, cracks or overly dry areas, concentrating on seams, edges and folds first since those weakness points show damage sooner. Take shoes out of bags and examine inner linings - ripped stitching leads to bigger holes down the road. Also check for signs of mold, as too much internal moisture causes fungus growths. And look closely for tiny insect pinpricks or trails of powdery dust that mean larvae are feeding on the leather. Catching problems before the damage progresses allows many issues to be remedied with proper conditioning or professional repairs. But cracked leather is irreversible.
Condition Leather Regularly
Another key practice for keeping leather boots and shoes supple and protected during storage periods is periodic conditioning treatments. Leather is skin, so it needs nourishment over time just like our own. Using leather conditioners replaces some of the natural oils that get depleted from cleaning and environmental factors.
Lightly apply conditioner a few times per year following the manufacturer instructions. Massage it gently into dry leather using a soft cloth and work it into seams and crevices where cracking occurs first. Only apply very thin layers of conditioner, as oversaturating leather can weaken stitching over time. For suede or nubuck, use a conditioner made specifically for those textures so the delicate napped surface is not disrupted.
The right conditioning products vary depending on leather type:
- For smooth, glossy leather - cream polish conditioners add shine.
- Oil-based formulas deeply moisturize dry vintage leather.
- Silicone conditioners seal out winter salt and stains.
- Beeswax conditioners soften and protect delicate exotic leathers.
The small time investment of conditioning leather boots and shoes a few times per year pays off by keeping them serviceable and preventing deterioration issues. Properly nourishing leather ensures footwear lasts through years of enjoyable wear with the right preventative care while tucked away in storage.
Use Boot Inserts To Keep Their Shape
The right storage methods help fine leather shoes retain their shape between wears for lasting enjoyment. Specially molded shoe inserts support the structure, while wicking away moisture at the same time. Quality shoe trees fit smoothly against the inner walls without excess compression. Seek combo inserts with adjusters if struggling to get a snug fit. Cedarwood is ideal for controlling moisture and adding cedar’s moth deterring abilities. Regular use of proper shoe trees, always loosening laces fully first before careful insertion, cuts down on deterioration issues. Allowing boots to fully air 24-48 hours before wearing again after removing inserts completes the shape retention process.
Caring for treasured leather shoes or boots properly between seasons helps retain quality for lasting enjoyment across years of use. Protect the investment made in fine footwear by learning the most effective home storage techniques. Keep leather pliant and free from deterioration by gently yet effectively cleaning away wear residues after each use. Allow them to rest adequately between repeated wears to maintain internal structure. Use breathable storage methods that deter insects and dust-related cracking. Insert shaped cedar supports to retain form and monitor for early repair signs. Refresh knowledge or refine habits to make leather shoes last through many years and wearings with the proper care. Implementing thoughtful storing techniques allows even designer leather boots and shoes to stay structurally sound and beautiful season after season.
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