Leather sandals are comfortable, fashionable and more durable than footwear made from other materials. However, they have a disadvantage: they tend to have traces of dirt, water stains or other marks that can make them ugly or make them look older than they actually are. Since leather cannot be washed in the washing machine or in water, you are probably wondering how to clean it. Read this article to find out what to do and what products you need - you'll be able to have clean sandals in no time.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Cleaning the Leather Upper
Step 1. Identify the problem
Spots and discolorations are caused by a number of factors, so you need to understand what the problem is before proceeding.
- Leather sandals often have spots or discolourations due to contact with water. This alters them from an aesthetic point of view, but does not dirty them in the true sense of the word. A quick fix? Make a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water. Gently dab it on the affected areas. In winter it is also an effective method for salt patches on leather boots. Make sure you don't impregnate them.
- The causes are various: mud, deep stains of oil, wine or other liquids. For effective cleaning, you need to consider the specific stain and the result you want. Sometimes you just need to polish your shoes to fix scratches, streaks, or other marks.
- If it's a small spot, dish soap or liquid hand soap will do the trick. Avoid soap sticks: they have a higher pH than leather, so they can dry it out. For more extensive or stubborn stains, try a leather conditioner, which you can find in well-stocked supermarkets, shoe stores, or online.
Step 2. Brush off dirt and other solid substances
Before using a cleanser or conditioner, you should always get rid of dry residue, otherwise it will create a sludge that will complicate cleaning.
Use a dry, soft cloth or soft-bristled brush (an old toothbrush will do) and proceed gently. Remember that softer leather is easily scratched, so removing dirt too vigorously can permanently mark footwear
Step 3. Wash your sandals
Dampen a soft, clean cloth, then pour a few drops of detergent or leather conditioner into it.
Gently massage it into the dirty spots. Make a smooth, even motion, creating a lather
Step 4. Remove the detergent or conditioner
Take another clean, slightly damp cloth and wipe the product off the leather in a circular motion. Make sure you get rid of all the residue.
You definitely need to be careful not to get your sandals too wet, but it's important to get rid of the detergent or conditioner well. A damp cloth is effective in removing all residue. If one is not enough, prepare another
Step 5. Dry the sandals
Before putting them back on, you must dry them well, otherwise particles of dust or dirt will stick to wet spots, staining them.
- Sunlight is preferable for drying leather footwear, but avoid direct exposure. The sun can break down the material and cause cracks.
- Do not try to scrub the sandals to dry them and do not wear them until they are completely dry.
Part 2 of 3: Eliminating Bad Smells
Step 1. Use baking soda on dry sandals
Baking soda naturally absorbs bad smells, is very cheap and available at the supermarket.
- Put the shoes in a large, airtight plastic bag. Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda into the sandalwood. Close the bag and let it sit overnight.
- You can also add 1-2 drops of an essential oil (such as lavender or sweet orange) to perfume shoes. Pour it directly onto the baking soda before applying it to the sandals, not the shoes themselves. A couple of drops is enough, otherwise the oil will stick to the sandals, attract dirt and cause even more problems.
- Remove all baking soda before putting your shoes back on.
Step 2. Try the cat litter box
If baking soda doesn't completely solve the problem, you can soak up the remaining odors with the cat litter box.
- Get a pair of old pantyhose. If you don't have any, you can use disposable socks, such as those that are provided to shoppers in shoe stores for hygiene reasons.
- Fill the part of the pantyhose corresponding to the foot with a handful of litter. If you don't have this product at home, ask a friend who has cats. You will only need 2 glasses in total, so there is no need to buy a whole pack.
- Tie the tights and slip them into your sandals, letting them sit overnight. The litter has a formulation that allows it to absorb bad odors, moreover those of some brands leave a pleasant smell.
Step 3. Replace the insoles
Bad smells emanating from the inside of sandals are often caused by the insoles, where dirt, sweat and bacteria are trapped. Changing them is often the only way to save footwear.
- If the insoles are removable, replace them. You can buy them based on your shoe size in a store or online. Look for a brand that has a good reputation and is specifically made for open shoes.
- If your shoes don't have removable insoles, you can take them to the shoemaker, who can often cut them and fasten new ones. It is only worthwhile if the shoes are expensive and / or no longer available on the market. In fact, this procedure is not particularly cheap.
Step 4. Eliminate the germs
Bad smells are caused by bacteria that feed on the dirt and sweat inside the footwear. If you want to get rid of them, you must first get rid of the bacteria.
- At the end of the day, use a deodorant or shoe disinfectant that has antibacterial properties. Choose one designed for sneakers: it will be more effective, as sports shoes tend to accumulate bad smells more.
- You can also try making a natural disinfectant spray with water, tea tree oil, and vinegar.
- Wait for the sandals to dry thoroughly before putting them on. If it's a nice day outside, leave them outside, but don't expose them directly to sunlight. You can also put them in a warm spot in the house.
Part 3 of 3: Preventing Stains and Dirt
Step 1. Treat new sandals with a leather protective product
If you've just bought a pair of shoes, you can spray the outside to make them resistant to water and stains.
To prevent the spray from getting on the insole, fill the sandal with crumpled paper before spraying it
Step 2. Keep the sandals dry
If the leather gets wet, it undergoes color changes, while when it soaks it can start to give off a bad smell.
- On rainy days, use shoes made from synthetic materials, such as rain boots or rubber flip flops. Do you want to wear sandals for a special occasion? Before you go out, put them in your bag or backpack and change your shoes once you reach your destination.
- Let the sandals dry completely if they get wet. Put them in a warm, sunny and dry spot. However, do not expose them to direct sunlight, as it can dry out the leather and cause cracks. You better put them in front of a window.
Step 3. Don't let dirt get into your sandals
On hot days, dirt, dust and sand often get trapped in the sandals. When dirt mixes with the sweat of your feet, it can cause unpleasant odors. This can be particularly annoying in high humidity climates, as the air contributes to the formation of a warm, humid environment in footwear. This is why people who generally do not have problems with bad smells suddenly start to suffer from it right in the summer.
- If you have to go to a place that has sand or dirt (for example to the playground or the beach), wear closed shoes, such as tennis shoes. If you want to feel the contact with the sand, take them off and don't put them back on until you have been able to wash your feet well.
- Try not to get your feet dirty. It only needs to happen once to have odor problems, especially if the shoes have a hard-to-clean insole.
Step 4. Get good personal hygiene habits
It may seem silly to you, but sometimes shoes emit bad odors precisely because the feet are neglected. The only solution is to take care of it.
- Wash your feet with soap and water every day when you get back from school or work. Repeat before going to bed.
- Apply foot powder every day to absorb bad odors and fight sweat. You can also try foot antiperspirant, which can prevent sweating in the first place. Do an online search and read reviews to find a good product.
Advice
- Clean your sandals after a long journey or after wearing them for many hours. Better to get rid of dirt and liquid stains as soon as possible. Do not clean them too often or before making particularly intensive use: the procedure itself is slightly harmful to footwear.
- Don't worry if the sandals don't return to the same color as before. It is a normal phenomenon for leather shoes that are used a lot; moreover, over time the skin can take on unique characteristics. If it bothers you, apply a leather protection product after drying to preserve the initial color. You can also try using a polish to darken them.
Warnings
- Never immerse leather shoes in water. To take care of your sandals, you must first pay attention to how you treat them to avoid damaging them. Many note that overdoing certain treatments only makes the spots worse. Minimize the use of water and massage them gently.
- Some types of processed leather and suede are very difficult to clean at home. If you've spent a lot of money on shoes (so you want them to last a long time and keep them looking like new), it's best to go to a professional.
