A lot of people have a misconception when it comes to cleaning leather shoes with household items. And you may have seen all those cleaners and polish kits at the store but think all you need is that bottle and nothing more. Well the thing is household supplies are still very effective in cleaning leather footwear. And if you want to know more, then we invite you to read further as we’ll look into this topic of leather shoe care using ordinary household items in today’s article.
Restore The Look Of Your Leather Shoes Using These Items You Can Find Inside Your House
Dish Soap
This cleaning agent is not only ideal for cleaning dishes but it can also be used for cleaning leather shoes. That’s because unlike detergents, dishwashing liquid is made from mild chemicals that don’t make the leather dry and crack after washing. Plus, it can also effectively disinfect your footwear since you can easily make a soapy mixture from this kind of soap and use it to scrub off mud, dirt, and dust.
Added Tip: Be sure to give some time for the shoe to dry at room temperature and don’t place it under direct sunlight as extreme heat can harden the leather and make the material to lose its natural oils.
Vinegar And Water
Mix equal parts of vinegar and water in a bowl then get a rag and soak it with the solution. Dab the rag gently on the leather material of the boots and rinse it with clean water. Use a toothbrush to scrub off hard stained areas and wipe off excess moisture before rinsing. Leave the boots to try at room temperature for a couple of hours and then apply a bit of olive oil or mink oil during polishing.
Extra Fact: Vinegar is an effective disinfecting agent as it can kill germs and microorganisms that can make your shoes smell bad.
Vaseline Or Toothpaste
These household items are effective at removing scuff marks on leather shoes. To restore your shoe’s appearance, apply a small amount of Vaseline or toothpaste on the affected area of the leather upper and spread it evenly. Then, use a small cloth and gently rub it on the stained area until the scuff is completely removed. Repeat the process if necessary.
Extra Fact: White toothpaste or with fluoride is also effective at cleaning white leather shoes and sneakers made from canvas. Just make sure to rinse it completely after cleaning to prevent toothpaste residue from forming.
Lotions And Hair Conditioners
Leather is made of animal skin. So to keep the leather from getting dry, you have to moisturize it using hand and body lotions or hair conditioners. And that’s because these products contain natural waxes that revive the leather and bring it back into shape.
All you need to do is get a small clean towel, apply the lotion and conditioner directly to the leather upper, and wipe and shine using a shoe brush and another small cloth.
Added Tip: When applying these products, make sure to avoid the rubber part of the shoe as it will cause the material to crumble after several applications.
If you want to learn more shoe care tips, you can visit NuShoe’s website today or if you’re looking to get your birkenstock sandals repaired.
