how do you take care of dress shoes

by Carlos Towne Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Things You Should Know

To prevent creases, pick shoes that fit you well and spray them with water repellent before wearing them.
Store your shoes on a shoe tree, and give your shoes a day off by not wearing them 2 days in a row.
Condition the leather every 3 to 6 months to keep your dress shoes in good shape.

Full Answer

How to keep your dress shoes in good condition?

Don’t store shoes that are wet. Wet shoes get stinky and may even start to rot. ...
Don’t seal up your shoes in plastic. This is especially important for leather and suede, but all shoes need to breathe! ...
Don’t stack shoes on top of each other. ...

How much toe room should there be in dress shoes?

“Generally you should have about a half-inch of space between your longest toe and the leather of the shoe,” says Tom Florsheim Jr., CEO of his family’s 122-year-old brand. “Your foot shifts when...

How do you clean dress shoes?

Wipe the shoes with a dry cloth.
Mix a small amount of oil-based soap with water, dampen a clean cloth with the mixture, and rub it gently over the entire shoe. ...
Allow the shoes to dry overnight or longer before wearing them.
Re-dyeing the shoes may also help with stains or fading.

How to keep dress shoes from creasing?

Method 1 Method 1 of 2: Preventing Creases Download Article

Choose shoes that fit you well. If there is a gap between your foot and the shoe, the leather will bend more.
Apply water repellent before you wear your shoes for the first time. ...
Wear your shoes in dry conditions for the first few outings. ...
Use a shoe horn when you put on your dress shoes. ...

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How do you maintain dress shoes?

Our ThoughtsDon't wear your shoes every day. Leather needs to breathe, just like your skin. ... Clean them after each wear. ... Store leather shoes with a shoe tree in them. ... Avoid inclement weather. ... Polish them every 6 wears. ... Store shoes in a dust bag when not in use.

How do you protect new dress shoes?

4:376:02New Leather Shoes | Do These 4 Things Before Wearing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou don't want to get them crushed. Especially you don't want your your toe puffs and your heelMoreYou don't want to get them crushed. Especially you don't want your your toe puffs and your heel counter to get creases in them because you you can't get those out. So protect your shoes in this shape.

How often should I condition dress shoes?

Shoe care replenishes oils and fats to the leather, and minimises further oil and fat loss. All it takes to ensure that the leather on your men's shoes retains its elasticity, suppleness, and shine is repeating the proper shoe care process every two to three weeks.

Can dress shoes be washed?

Use liquid detergent and a cold water setting to wash your shoes. A cold cycle will reduce the risk of colors running through the fabric of the shoes, as well as mitigate any shrinkage or warping. You should also choose a cycle with a low spin speed if possible. These are usually the delicate cycles.

How do I keep my dress shoes from cracking?

It's best to keep your leather shoes in a room that has at least 40 percent humidity in the air to avoid cracks. If this does not occur naturally, it can be achieved by using a humidifier in your home. When leather is kept in a dry environment for too long, it sucks the moisture from the surface of your leather.

How do I keep my dress shoes from scuffing?

How to Protect Your Dress Shoes From Scuff MarksChoose Dress Shoes With a Low or Medium Gloss. ... Look for Dress Shoes With a Protective 'Bumper' ... Use Caution When Wearing Your Dress Shoes. ... Use Cedar Trees in Your Dress Shoes When You Aren't Wearing Them. ... Apply Leather Shoe Polish. ... Don't Let Your Dress Shoes Dry Out.More items...•

Should you polish new shoes before wearing them?

Should I polish new shoes? Your new shoes will probably have little or no polish on them and won't be as glossy as they could be, so we recommend polishing new shoes before you wear for the first time.

Should you waterproof leather dress shoes?

Leather and suede shoes should always be waterproofed in order to properly protect them, especially if you live in a rainy climate. Once a month should be sufficient if you live in a place that doesn't get much rain. However, if it rains daily, you may want to consider waterproofing every week just to be safe.

What happens if you over condition leather?

Too much leather conditioner will actually hold in too much moisture in the leather, leading to oversaturation, whereas absence of any leather care means never giving the leather a chance to recoup the oils it loses over time due to environmental effects such as wind, dust, dirt, and that guy stepping on your shoe in ...

How often should you use shoe cream?

Shoe polishing is a more basic treatment that should be done every four to six weeks, depending on how often you wear your shoes, as part of regular shoe maintenance. A shoe shine requires further effort to achieve a high-shine you can see your reflection in.

How often should you use leather conditioner on shoes?

The more you wear your shoes, the more often they need conditioning. “Plan on conditioning shoes after wearing them 5-10 times,” says Vince Camuto Leather Expert Ademir Colla. “Conditioning with this regularity helps give leather a smooth, supple appearance.” But frequency of conditioning is also dependent on…

Why do my feet stink in dress shoes?

Shoe odor often occurs when the materials the shoes are made of do not allow air to properly pass through. We often refer to this as allowing the feet or the shoe to “breathe.” The result is moisture and bacteria begin to develop in the shoe and create the offensive odor.

How do you clean and polish dress shoes?

1:174:20Clean Condition & Polish A Dress Shoe | Spit Shining Formal FootwearYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipApply the soap to the surface of the shoe to clean it and to remove any old polish. Let your chuteMoreApply the soap to the surface of the shoe to clean it and to remove any old polish. Let your chute air dry for about 10 minutes or wipe try to speed up the process.

Does putting shoes in the washing machine damage it?

Shoes made with materials like canvas, nylon, cotton and polyester are usually safe to wash in a washing machine. These materials are durable and shouldn't be damaged by laundry detergent. Before you begin cleaning, check your shoe's care instructions for washing recommendations.

What causes leather to crack?

What causes leather to crack? Because leather is porous, it soaks up oils and dirt from your own body and hair. These oils are absorbed into the top coating on leather and eventually becomes abrasive as it breaks down, causing wear and eventual cracks on the surface.

How do you stop leather from cracking?

TipsTo prevent leather from cracking, apply a leather conditioner about every 3 months. Leather cracks as it dries, so a good conditioner prevents most damage. ... Keep leather out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources. Heat causes leather to dry out, leading to cracks. ... Use a leather glue to seal rips and tears.

How do you keep polished shoes from cracking?

The best way to avoid it is to just be gentle when polishing your shoes - in my experience applying too much pressure to the shoe causes the polish to crack.

How can I not ruin my shoes?

0:165:505 Ways You're RUINING Your Shoes (And How To Fix Them) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo when you're not wearing your shoes. It's. Basically you're allowing the creases to set in andMoreSo when you're not wearing your shoes. It's. Basically you're allowing the creases to set in and that's ruining them so instead you want to use shoe trees shoe trees cedar. Ones are preferred.

How do you protect leather from scuffs?

Apply Leather Shoe Polish However, they are all designed to create a protective, shiny layer over the surface of leather shoes. Just rub a small amount of the polish into the surface of your dress shoes, at which point they'll remain better protected against scuff marks.

How do you keep leather from scuffing?

In order to help prevent scuffs in the future, it's important to polish, condition, and wax your leather shoes on a regular basis.

How do you take care of formal shoes?

5:086:22How To Maintain Men's Dress Shoes/How Men Can ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOnce every month or every other month. And that's it you want to always keep the dirt off keep theMoreOnce every month or every other month. And that's it you want to always keep the dirt off keep the moisture off protect. Little leather moisture. And not keeping this shake will kill your shoe.

How do you keep leather shoes from creasing?

0:4510:365 Ways to Keep Leather Boots From Creasing (with @Bedo's ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAll leather shoes will crease. You can't stop it from creasing. If you wear it it's going to crease.MoreAll leather shoes will crease. You can't stop it from creasing. If you wear it it's going to crease. However you can minimize. That by well you can minimize that by using shoe trees.

How do I stop my shoes from scratching?

How can I stop my new shoes rubbing my heels?

7 Simple Ways to Prevent Your Shoes from Rubbing Your Heels#1 - Wear Socks That Are Taller Than Your Shoes.#2 - Wear Thick Socks That Cushion Your Heels.#3 - Use Kinesiology Tape, Heel Protecting Inserts, or Moleskin.#4 - Use Insoles for a Tighter Fit and Less Friction.#5 - Try an Anti-Blister Heel Balm.More items...•

What to do if your shoes get damaged?

If your shoes do get damaged, consider repairing first instead of replacing. You may only need to replace a sole instead of the whole shoe.

What is the best way to clean a shoe sole?

The combination of a toothbrush and toothpaste can actually clean stubborn stains away. Another alternative is to use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser with water to wipe away dirt from the bottom of your shoe. The Erasers are made of melamine foam, which is really effective at removing tough set-in stains.

How to protect suede shoes from stains?

It is recommended to use a suede protector; in order to better protect your suede shoes from stains. They should also be sprayed monthly with a waterproofing solution because when suede gets wet, it’s damaging. Suede stains extremely easily, so any suede shoes that you own should be cleaned immediately as soon as they start getting dirty. A suede brush uses nylon bristles for lighter, gentler cleaning off any dirt and oil stains. For marks that have already set in, a solution made up of two parts water and one part vinegar can be applied to the stains to try and combat the damage.

How to make leather shoes last longer?

Since shoes are subject to so much wear and tear every day, it is important to use a horsehair brush regularly to remove any dust or debris. Start off by giving your shoes a wipe down with a warm sponge in order to make the leather more porous. Next, apply the waterproofing compound of your choice. About once a month, be sure to condition your shoes to help soften and moisten the leather in order to prevent any cracks. However, if your shoe starts cracking, there is nothing that can be done to save it. The next step is to apply polish with mild pressure in circular motions throughout the shoe. Once your shoe starts achieving a mirror-like shine, you’re pretty much done!

Why do you need a shoehorn?

They’re also stiff, which is where a shoehorn comes in handy. A shoehorn can prevent you from doing that wiggle dance every time that you need to put on your shoes and protects your shoe’s heels in the process by helping you slip into them more easily.

What is an F shoe?

F or accessories that constantly beat up and stepped on (literally), shoes sure are underappreciated. A pair of good shoes can make the difference between an outfit that gets you the job, and an outfit that makes people wonder if skateboards are your sole means of transportation. However, even the most expensive pair of shoes in ...

Why do shoe trees grow?

When it comes to the shoe tree, wood is king. It has a huge advantage over plastic since it can help you dry out the lining of your shoe by absorbing built-up moisture.

How to clean suede shoes?

1. Clean suede shoes with special tools and techniques. Buy a suede brush, and use this to remove general dirt and debris with gentle brushing in a consistent direction — that is, don’t rub back-and-forth or in circles.

How to clean a shoe with horsehair?

Use the horsehair brush that comes with many shoe cleaning kits, or another soft-bristled brush. Alternatively, you can use a piece of clean, soft, lint-free cloth, like a strip of an old t-shirt.

How to get scuff marks off of suede shoes?

Rubbing a suede eraser or even a regular pencil eraser on a stubborn scuff mark can also help. If you must use water to clean a stubborn stain (or need to remove a water stain), wet the entire shoe lightly and then blot it dry thoroughly. When the shoe is dry, use the suede brush to restore the texture.

How to shine shoes with water?

Then, after the shoes dry a little, sprinkle a few drops of water on them and buff them with the cloth used to apply the polish. Keep repeating this process (with brief drying intervals) to further enhance the shine.

What to do with old t-shirts?

Save your old t-shirts for shoe cleaning and polishing. They’ll come in handy often.

How to make leather shoes soft?

Give the shoes a bit of time to dry fully if you used any liquids in the cleaning process, then apply your chosen product to make the leather more soft and supple. You can use a leather conditioner, saddle soap, or an oil renovator (like mink oil), all of which can be found alongside other shoe repair products.

How to clean a shoe that is scuffed?

Wipe the shoes with a dry cloth. Mix a small amount of oil-based soap with water, dampen a clean cloth with the mixture, and rub it gently over the entire shoe.

What is the best way to make dress shoes look better?

The polish is the most important step in the process. It will make your dress shoes look shinier and higher quality. It will also moisten the leather and help it to resist water damage.

Why Is It Important to Clean Dress Shoes?

The first and most obvious reason to maintain clean dress shoes is for the sake of appearance. A well-cared-for shoe, cleaned and polished, will catch the eye and reflect impressively upon the wearer.

Why shine dress shoes?

The second reason that it's important to know how to shine dress shoes and to do so regularly, is for the sake of the shoe's longevity. Classic dress shoes are made of leather.

What tools do you need to care for shoes?

While the basic tools, a brush, a cleaner, and a polish, will allow you to maintain shoes looking professional and stylish for years, a full shoe care regimen can allow you to look every day like you just walked out of the store with a new pair of gleaming dress shoes.

How to clean dirty shoes?

You'll first use your brush all over the surface of your shoe. You'll need to pay extra attention to any parts of the shoe that are visibly dirty. This brushing will remove dirt and other contaminants.

How to make your shoes shine?

To make it shine, you must now wipe and polish the shoe. Use your brush or any cloth to rapidly rub the surface of your shoe.

Where did the dress shoe come from?

The dress shoe traces its origin all the way back to 1640, coming out of Europe. In the 1800s, they became popular and today, they are still the height of fashion.

Make Them Waterproof

If you live in a wet, rainy, or snowy climate, it’s a good idea to waterproof your dress shoes. Waterproofing helps to protect the leather from wear and tear and extends the lifespan of your shoes.

Use the Right Tools

In addition to a good waterproofing spray, there are a few other tools you should have on hand to clean your dress shoes. The list of essential tools includes the following:

Polish Them Up

At this point, you’ll be ready to polish your shoes and make them look as good as new.

You Know How to Clean Dress Shoes: Time to Get to Work!

There you have it; the basics of how to clean dress shoes. It’s doesn’t seem too difficult, does it?

How to keep your shoes from getting dirty?

Avoid stepping in dirt. Keep your shoes away from mud, wet grass, and water puddles, as that might make your shoes dirtier and reduce their lives.

What to do with old shoes?

Use older shoes for dirty or damaging tasks. Keep last year's sneakers for this year's gardening, painting, or walking on rough surfaces or gravel. You'll get a little more use out of the older shoes and spare the newer shoes premature damage.

How to protect shoes from snow?

Apply waterproofing. If you know you will be out in your shoes in snow or rain, apply a suitable waterproofing agent periodically. A good shoe store can recommend an appropriate product.

How to make your shoes last longer?

Don't wear shoes when you don't have to. Wear slippers around the house, and change into them when you can. This will make it so that your shoes don't wear out as fast and make them last much longer.

How to keep shoes from dusting?

Create special storage for special shoes. If you have a pair of good dress shoes that you only wear with your good suit, keep them free of du st by storing them in a box or bag.

How to get your feet to not slip on shoes?

Don't walk on the heels of your shoes. Untie lace-up shoes and put your feet all the way in. Untie them again to take them off. If you want to slip in and out, get slip-ons or clogs.

Do you drag your feet when walking?

Don't drag your feet. There's no sense wearing out the soles of your shoes any faster than necessary, so pick up your feet when you walk.

How to keep shoes safe?

Keep your shoes safe by storing them correctly. Storing your shoes correctly also plays a prominent part in how long they last. If they get wet, stuff them with newspaper overnight and let them dry naturally — but also invest in some gear to keep them looking new.

How to clean salt stains off leather shoes?

If your shoes are water or salt-stained, take a mixture of two parts water to one white vinegar, and apply to the affected areas, wiping until the stains disappear.

Why should leather shoes be kept in shoe bags?

Leather shoes should also be kept in shoe bags – which help shade the shoes from potentially damaging dust and sunlight. Suede shoes should be stored in open air, but away from sunlight.

How to extend the life of loafers?

Cleaning and conditioning are two simple steps, but ones that could extend the lifespan of your loafers by years. So unlace your shoes, show them some love and invest in the best in shoe care.

Can you use baking powder on suede shoes?

Greasy stains can also be the end of suede — so try to avoid wearing your napped finish shoes anywhere they may get marked. However, if the worst does happen, blot with a paper towel, tip a little baking powder or talcum powder onto the stain and then brush lightly the morning after.

Can you use liquid polish on shoes?

Ensure your shoes are dry before application, says Fox, and try to avoid using unsuitable liquid polish applicators as these can potentially damage the surface of high quality leathers and often create a lacquer which is hard to remove.

Can you wear suede on grimy days?

It’s probably best to avoid wearing suede on the grimiest of days but treated with care a good suede can be pretty resilient. “If dirt has built up on the shoe,” Denholm continues, “then use a suede cleaner with a soft rubber suede brush, this will allow you to rub the suede while not damaging its structure.