How to Clean and Polish Leather Shoes and Boots — Toronto Home Guide

Leather shoes require both cleaning and conditioning — removing dirt and salt damages the leather surface, but leather also dries out and cracks without periodic conditioning. Toronto winters are particularly tough on leather: road salt is an aggressive desiccant that dries and stiffens leather quickly.

Tools

• Horsehair brush (for buffing) and stiff brush (for removing dried mud)
• Damp cloth
• Leather cleaner or saddle soap
• Leather conditioner (such as Leather Honey, Bick 4, or mink oil)
• Shoe polish (optional — for black or brown shoes)
• Polish applicator brush or cloth

Cleaning

1. Use a stiff brush to remove dried mud and loose dirt — work around the welt (the seam between sole and upper) where dirt compacts
2. Remove laces and clean separately
3. Apply a small amount of leather cleaner or saddle soap to a damp cloth and work in circular motions over the entire upper surface — saddle soap both cleans and provides a small amount of conditioning
4. Wipe off with a clean damp cloth
5. Allow to dry at room temperature — not near a heat source, which dries and cracks the leather

Removing Salt Stains (Toronto Winter)

1. Allow the shoes to dry completely first
2. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water
3. Dip a soft cloth in the solution and dab onto the salt tide marks — the mild acid neutralizes the alkaline salt
4. Wipe clean with a damp cloth and allow to dry
5. Condition immediately after — salt removal also removes leather oils

Conditioning

1. Apply a small amount of leather conditioner to a cloth and work it into all surfaces in circular motions
2. Allow to absorb for 15–30 minutes
3. Buff with a horsehair brush to remove excess — over-conditioning leaves the leather greasy and attracts dirt
4. Condition every 1–3 months during active wear; more frequently if wearing in salt and wet conditions

Polishing (Optional)

• Apply cream or wax polish in a thin coat with a cloth, allow to dry, then buff vigorously with a horsehair brush — polish restores colour depth and adds a moisture barrier
• Wax polish provides better weather protection; cream polish provides more conditioning