by Kaitlyn Hamilton

Created on: August 28, 2008

Caring for Leather Sneakers

It doesn't take much effort to keep your leather sneakers looking like new if you just take the time to perform a few routine tasks. These days, sneakers are outrageously expensive. I know the last pair that I bought was a little over $220 with tax. I walk several miles a day on concrete, so I have to have good shoes. Although they are more than 8 months old, they still look the same as new.

First of all, you will need a bristle brush like you would use to clean the tile in your bathroom. One of the small, handheld bruses works best. Use this brush regularly to keep the bottoms and sides of the soles of your sneakers free of mud and heavy soil. (You can usually find these brushes at your local dollar store.)

You will also want to keep an old toothbrush and some white toothpaste on hand to use for scrubbing heavy stains on the soles or on the leather uppers. Just be careful not to press too hard with the brush on the uppers or you will scar them.

Most importantly, you will need a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. These things work miracles on dirt, scuffs, and even scars. All you do is wet the eraser, squeeze out the excess water, then gently rub the shoes with it in a circular pattern.

As for the laces, try to keep a few extra pairs in a drawer somewhere handy. Laces are very inexpensive and can make a huge difference in the appearances of the shoes. Dirty laces make any shoes look bad.

Dr. Scholls and Gold Bond both make very good foot powders. I sprinkle a little in my shoes about twice a week to keep the insides fresh and clean. If your sneakers have a bad odor, then you should throw them in the washing machine on delicate and cold wash with a little bleach. Only use about 1/4 of the detergent that the bottle recommends. Wash for a full cycle, then blot the insides as dry as possible with clean towels. Use a blow dryer to finish drying them or if your dryer has a rack for shoes, then place your shoes inside on the rack and dry on low heat for about 5 or 10 minutes at a time until the shoes are completely dry. Be sure to remove the laces and open the shoes up as much as possible so air can circulate freely and dry them faster.

About once or twice a month, you can also spray your shoes on the inside with Lysol fabric spray to kill any germs or bacteria.

I don't recommend using the white shoe pollish because it is more of a paint than a pollish and it will make your shoes look discolored and dull.

If you take these basic steps to care for your shoes on a regular basis, then I think you will find that they will stay looking like new and last you for a very long time.

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