One of the best investments you can make when you shop online for shoes is on quality leather footwear. The only catch is that you must take care of these shoes regularly. A quality pair of shoes will last you a long time with proper care and maintenance. Furthermore, the products you use on your leather shoes do not have to cost more than the price of the shoes themselves. There are a number of tips to help you take care of these leather shoes so they will not only last longer, but will maintain a great look.

The first thing to note is two pairs of high-quality leather shoes will last twice as long as one pair. This mathematical wonder is, nonetheless, true. Because by purchasing two pair of leather shoes, you can wear one pair every other day and allow the other pair to dry on a cedar shoe tree to absorb the moisture from your skin and from the leather while still holding the shoe in the correct shape.

In this case, 1 + 1 = 3.

Cleaning your leather shoes is mostly a matter of daily care and paying attention to any blemishes. Using all-natural shoe care products allows the leather to breathe. Suggested cleaning products include those made specifically for leather, such as saddle soap. If you use saddle soap and follow the treatment with mink oil, you will always have good results in keeping your footwear looking like new. These products can be found in most areas where shoe care items are found or on websites when you shop online for shoes. Goop hand cleaner, which can be found in most automotive supply stores, is another great product for cleaning the leather without damaging it. Goop is waterless and is excellent for removing oil and grease from the surface of the leather. Pine gum can help to restore your shoes when they have small nicks, scratches and cuts. This product seeps into the leather and serves as an excellent camouflage. If the color of the leather has faded, pine gum will help to restore its color and appearance.

If you often find that you are walking or working where there is a lot of moisture, you can waterproof your leather shoes or boots. This will help protect the shoes from salt stains, snow and water. If shoes do get damp, store them on a shoe tree to dry, but never place the leather shoes close to direct heat such as a stove or fireplace. Beeswax provides excellent water-repellent properties for protecting your leather shoes from the elements. There are also waterproofing products sold where shoe care products are located that will help protect your shoes against the elements.

Conditioning your footwear helps maintain soft and supple leather. Preventing cracks in the surface of the leather means that less harmful agents can attack the leather. Keeping the leather soft means the shoes will fit more comfortably too. Lanolin can be used for softening the leather, while emu oil restores its natural moisture by penetrating deep into the shoe.

When you are cleaning and conditioning your shoes, do not forget to take care of its insides too. Using eucalyptus oil or tea tree oil prevents the deterioration of the stitching by fighting mildew and molds in the interior of the shoe, as well as in the top stitching.

Keep in mind that specialty leather products such as suede or patent leather have special products intended specifically for their care. For example, you would not want to use some of the oil or cream based products in caring for suede shoes. Often regular, gentle brushing to remove loose soil and a spray on suede cleaner will be just the thing for cleaning that type of leather.

If you find problems developing in the stitching or the soles of the show or anywhere on the shoe, put the cost of repairing the shoe against the cost of replacing them and take a trip to your local shoe repair shop. The price paid for a good repairman is well worth it in terms of lengthened shoe life.

Finally, many people have success in caring for their shoes with various household products not specifically created for leather shoes. For example, petroleum jelly rubbed gently on the leather then allowed to sit for a while before being wiped off keeps leather uniform shoes looking great. Others swear by furniture polish sprayed on lightly and wiped down with a cloth.

Always remember, the most important part of maintaining leather shoes is the daily condition, cleaning and care.

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