How to Care for Leather and Suede Shoes

A hand tooled pair of calfskin shoes ties a suit together to create a professional, polished look.

Even if Alden shoes represent a significant investment, you can make them last for decades with

the proper care and maintenance. Shoeshine kits come ready made, or they can be readily

assembled with some old rags, mild detergent, a soft toothbrush, and your choice of polish.

Leather and suede dress shoes are easier to clean than most people think. You do not really have

to take them to a professional shoe cobbler unless they are getting resoled, and you save a

considerable amount of cash by cleaning and shining your own shoes.¹ However, keep this list of

dos and don’ts in mind if you don’t want to accidentally damage or warp the leather materials.²

How to clean leather shoes and boots:

Remove laces and dust – Remove the laces and go over the entire surface with a soft

bristle brush to remove excess dirt. The laces may be washed separately or replaced with

new ones. Contact the manufacturer at Aldens to locate new laces.

Gently cloth wash the leather – For a cleaning solution, combine two cups of lukewarm

water with a small amount of gentle liquid soap. Make sure the soap is PH neutral and

fragrance free. Wash off the entire surface of the shoe using a damp, clean washcloth.

Repeat this process again with a new rag, such as an old t-shirt or a similar material.

Dry with a soft rag – After gently cleaning the leather, wipe the shoes dry with another

piece of cloth. It is important to clean your shoes before proceeding to the next step.

Polish if desired – After the shoes are clean and dry it is safe to recondition the leather

and give it a good polishing. Leather conditioners and polish come in liquids, creams, and

pastes.³ Some people prefer organic oils such as olive or even mink. For that military

shine, spray with a light mist of water and polish, then buff the shoes a second time.

How to clean suede shoes and boots:

Let the shoes dry completely – There is a special way to clean suede shoes, but it is not

impossible. First make sure that the suede Alden boots or shoes are completely dry. Stuff

them with newspaper or tissue paper so that they keep the right shape. Then put them in a

dim, ventilated place.⁴ Never leave leather or suede shoes to dry out in the sun or they

will crack. If you put shoes in the dryer it will damage the leather and the machine.

Clean the suede with a dry cloth – Moving with the grain in one direction, clean the

shoes gently with a dry cloth or suede brush. This process helps remove the dirt.

Go over bad spots with eraser – Rub over scuffs with the brush. If there are any bad

spots, you can go over them with a suede eraser. In lieu of a suede eraser, some people

use a balled up slice of white bread. If you have water spots, you may have to go over the

entire surface of the shoe with a damp cloth, which could cause some weathering.

Brush and apply protectant – Brush the suede in one direction like you are grooming

an animal. Apply a high-quality suede protector to finish cleaning.

It’s not difficult to clean that beloved Alden Indy Boot all by yourself. Many people even prefer

the look and feel that comes with a pair of supple, broken in leather shoes or boots. However this

appearance comes best with time. Proper care and maintenance of fine leather and suede shoes

will make them last longer and save you a lot of money on shoe shines.

Summary:

Proper care and maintenance of Alden shoes and boots will make your investment in designer

dress shoes well worthwhile.

Company Bio:

Since 1956, TheShoeMart has been owned and operated by the Zapatka family for three

generations. TheShoeMart specializes in top quality shoes and boots from the leading designers

and manufacturers. There has been a world class shoe crafting shop at their New England site for

the past 30 years. Visit New England’s Best Shoe Store online at www.theshoemart.com.

Sources:

1. http://www.gq.com/how-to/fashion/200903/polish-one-off

2. http://www.howtocleanthings.com/clothing/shoes/

3. http://shoes.about.com/od/shoe_care/qt/polishing_shoes.htm

4. http://laundry.about.com/od/sportsuniforms/a/washsneakers.htm