How To Care For Smooth Leather Shoes

Like your own skin, leather shoes will stay looking great when regularly cleaned and moisturized. We recommend the following care regime of cleaning, conditioning, polishing and protecting.

Cleaning

1. Brush off dirt and debris using a horsehair brush or damp cloth.
2. If a more intense clean is required then lather with saddle soap using a damp paper towel or cloth. Wipe excess soap from the shoes and air dry.
3. If your laces require cleaning, remove from shoes and hand wash in a small container using laundry detergent and warm water. Laces should be completely dry before lacing up the shoes again.
    

Conditioning

1. Using a horsehair brush or soft cloth, apply a leather conditioner such as Angelus Lustre Cream to the shoe's uppers.
2. A neutral conditioning cream is convenient and can be used on all of your leather shoes, but a color-matched cream will help cover small scratches, scrapes and scuffs.
3. To prolong the life of leather soles (and assist with water resistance), apply Neatsfoot or Angelus Mink Oil to soles once or twice a year.
4. Allow to air dry.
5. Buff using a clean cloth or paper towel.
    

Polishing and protecting

1. Apply a thin leayer of neutral or color-matched shoe polish such as Angelus Wax Polish using horsehair brush or soft cloth in a circular motion.
2. Allow to air dry.
3. Buff using a clean cloth or paper towel.
4. For extra shine, repeat.
    

If you have painted or dyed your leather shoes, protect them with a Angelus Acrylic Finisher, and clean them with a damp cloth. Do not use acetone or alcohol-based cleaners when cleaning painted or dyed shoes, as this will remove the finish. Lustre cream or shoe polish may affect the finish of painted shoes.

Never use heat to dry leather shoes. Always air dry at room temperature. If shoes are very damp then stuffing with newspaper will aid in the drying process them and help them keep their shape.