Galoche & Patin gives you some advice on how to care for your leather shoes.
In this article, you’ll find the right steps to take to care for your leather shoes. Here, we’re talking about smooth leather shoes.
Suede leather shoes (commonly known as suede or nubuck) will require a different care routine.
Ideally, you’ll need 30 to 45 minutes and a bit of elbow grease!
And don’t forget, if you have any doubts about care, polishing, or a stubborn stain, contact us!
How should I store my shoes?
Like all your pairs of shoes, you should remember to store them in a dry place, away from light and heat sources.
Raw wood shoe trees will absorb moisture from your shoes and, above all, help stretch the leather so they keep their original shape.
Purists will tell you that one pair of shoes = one shoe tree, which isn’t necessarily affordable for everyone! At Galoche & Patin, we recommend starting by investing in 3 or 4 quality shoe trees for your favorite footwear. Always choose full-shaped ones—meaning without a spring at the back—so you don’t “break” or put too much pressure on your shoes.
We can offer cedar wood shoe trees upon request. Don’t hesitate to let us know in your repair requests.
Which accessories do I need to care for my shoes?
Investing in a few care accessories will ensure you always have the right tools on hand.
Here is our selection of products:
- A stiff brush.
- A cleaning milk; for example, we recommend Saphir’s Universal Cream.
- A special leather grease; here too, Saphir HP Dubbin or Le Phoque Grison Paris are well-known.
- A polishing brush; you can find high-quality ones from Andrée Jardin, for instance.
- A shoe cream.
- A cotton chamois or, failing that, a soft polishing cloth (a rolled-up old T-shirt will also do the trick if that’s all you have on hand!).
What are the steps for caring for my shoes?
Set yourself up in a well-aired and ventilated area.
Protect your work surface and, if you have them, wear latex protective gloves.
Remove your shoelaces if necessary.
Place the shoe trees in your shoes.
Remove all dust and dirt using the stiff brush, paying close attention to all areas of the shoe. Its fairly rigid bristles will allow you to remove all stubborn marks with ease.
Wrap your chamois or clean cloth around your index and middle fingers and apply the cleaning milk. Make concentric circles, focusing on all the creases in your shoes. This is often where your leather “marks” more quickly with use.
This complete cleaning will allow you to remove all residual traces of polish. For Goodyear-welted footwear, nourish the welt thread (the edge of the sole) with special shoe grease. To do this, use an old toothbrush or a special welt brush with a little grease on it. Gently run it over the thread. It’s an extremely nourishing product that will prevent the waxed thread from drying out and breaking.
Then wait 10 minutes.
Put a little shoe cream on your chamois and apply it in small circles to your shoes until it penetrates well. Invest in quality shoe creams that favor natural waxes. Here too, Saphir Médaille d’Or is renowned for its quality.
Choose the shade of your cream carefully based on your footwear, and don’t hesitate to consult the brands’ color charts if you’re in doubt.
Then wait 10 to 15 minutes and shine your shoes with the polishing brush. As a final touch, you can apply some wax polish. Apply it—in small amounts—using your cloth to the areas of your shoe where you want to add more shine. Let it dry, then buff with your brush.
How often should I care for my shoes?
This naturally depends on the usage and how often you wear the same pair. Changing your shoes regularly is already a form of care. Don’t forget that leather is a living material that needs to “breathe.” Ideally, you should be able to alternate every day.
For maintenance, a frequency of at least once a month will allow you to clean, nourish, and preserve them so they keep all their flexibility and shine. And there you go, your footwear is ready for another round!
