Everyone has a shoe closet loaded with leather boots, pumps, suede sneakers, or moccasins. The reason is their durability. You can enjoy them for a long time without having to worry about the broken soles, tearing surfaces or simply them going out of fashion. Good quality leather shoes are always trendy and stay as good as new for a long period of time. Moreover, maintaining your footwear's appearance for years to come will depend on how often you clean it. Treating your leather shoes in the right way will offer major rewards such as no trouble of having to replace them anytime soon. Also, the compliments you’ll get for your elite fashion statement make up for all the efforts you put into keeping your shoes clean. Here are a few factors you must consider while caring for your leather shoes based on the type of leather you’re dealing with.

How To Clean White Leather Shoes?

We hardly ever see people wearing white leather shoes because the maintenance can be a bit hard. Any stain or scuff on white leather is comparatively harder to get off as compared to any other color or accessory. However, when cleaning your white leather shoes, make sure to use premium quality cleaning products. Making your cleaner at home is also a good idea. Use two parts distilled white vinegar and one part linseed or olive oil. Mix your cleaning solution in a spray bottle. Wipe down the white leather shoes using a damp clean cloth. Spray the cleaning solution onto the cloth and rub gently on your leather. Use a clean dry cloth to wipe away the cleaning solution. Since it’s a natural oil, you don't need to rinse it off.

How To Clean Patent Leather Shoes?

Cleaning this one is comparatively easier than suede or nubuck because of the super smooth and shiny surface. Use a brush to rub off any dust off the leather surface and dampen a cotton pad with a small amount of cleaning detergent. Rub the pad on the surface in slow gentle circular motions. You can repeat the process at the spots where you see a stain. Dry your patent leather shoes using a soft paper towel. Let it dry at room temperature for at least 24 hours and don’t forget to use a shoe tree to maintain the shape.

How To Clean Suede Shoes?

Use a cleaning material that is specifically designed for suede leather. Use a brush to wipe off any dust. Dampen the soft piece of cloth with a cleaning solution and rub gently on your leather shoes. Once dry, use the brush to fluff up the fabric. There are a number of spray suede polishes available in the market, use that every time before wearing your suede leather shoes. When cleaning the suede shoes, don't forget to put shoe trees in your shoes to maintain the shape.

How To Clean Nubuck Shoes?

Make sure to get rid of any stain instantly. Old stains are harder to remove and may damage your leather shoes permanently. Any cleaning product you use for cleaning your nubuck leather shoes shouldn’t be used on any other piece of cloth.

In case your shoes have an oil stain, a leather degreaser is something that will be of great help. You can use it directly on your leather using a piece of cloth or dilute it with water to make sure that there are no stains or residue. As nubuck and suede have an almost similar texture, hence you should use a bush to buff off the leather at the end of cleaning just like suede.

How To Make Leather Shoes Last Longer?

Keeping your leather shoes clean can help with durability and longevity but there are a few other factors that contribute to it as well. Buying high-quality leather and never compromising for a few bucks. Saving a small amount can actually lead to spending a lot when you feel the need to have your accessories fixed. Use high-quality cleaning products and apply conditioner on your leather after you’re done cleaning. It can help maintain the shape and texture.