Why you ask? Because winter is gone and before you put up your shoes for next year, prepare them for a long summer's rest in four easy steps:
- ensure leather-soled shoes have been well-oiled to resist seepage
- spray. it's doesn't discolor but it requires multiple applications and will eventually lead to some cracking of the leather (if the spray has silicone)
- polish. get a water-repelling cream
- wax. note however that beeswax darkens the leather and can take some time (but it works awesome)!
- oil. here again, the Cadillac of oils is mink oil and in spite of long lasting effects, has actually been shown to damage the leather
Sound like a lot? Then, at a minimum, clean with mild soap and water, and two layers of spray (allow for drying in between)
Most important? know your material, suede = sprays, leathers you don't want to darken = light creams, smoother leathers = beeswax, and work boots = mink oil.
