Eliminating Creases

We've all got a favorite pair of dress shoes, your daily go-to. You've been through a lot together, but now they're starting to show their age. The leather is creased, scuffed, and even has some cracks and cuts. I'm going to show you how to bring back your leather dress shoes from the dead.

Creases form when the leather folds and flexes as you walk. Basically, the sweat from your feet causes these creases to permanently set. Unfortunately, creases are inevitable. However, like Creasy, it does give your shoes a bit of character. That being said, if your shoes become too creased, you need to take action. Character is good and all, but you don't want your shoes to look sloppy.

To get started, first remove your shoelaces. Now stuff your shoes with enough newspaper to imitate the shape of your foot. Be careful not to stretch the leather too much. You want to just put enough newspaper in there to gently push out the creases.

Next, take a damp washcloth and use it to cover the shoe. Now take out your iron and put it on the cotton setting. We're going to use it to gently work out the creases. As you're going over the damp washcloth with the iron, the steam being produced will soften and help stretch the leather. Be careful not to leave the iron in one place for too long as it can scorch the leather. Always keep the iron moving using gentle pressure.

It may require several passes, so make sure to re-dampen the washcloth if it becomes dry. Keep working on the creases until you're satisfied with the result.

Preventing Future Creases

To reduce the likelihood of creases returning, invest in a quality set of cedar shoe trees. Shoe trees lightly stretch the shoes back to their original shape and help absorb sweat from the shoes. These shoes right here are five years old, and I wear them all the time. Notice that we've got minimal creasing. That's because after every use, I use a shoe tree.

On the other hand, these shoes over here are also five years old, and as you can tell, I did not use shoe trees. Gentlemen, remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Dealing with Cracked and Cut Leather

Cracks form in leather when it dries out. It's important to condition your shoes regularly to prevent this from happening. Cuts, on the other hand, occur when something sharp slices into the upper of your leather shoe. If you wear your shoes regularly, most likely you've got at least a few cuts on the upper.

The reality of cuts and cracks is that you can't reverse the damage, but you can take steps to dramatically improve the appearance of your shoes. Like in the previous step, stuff newspaper into the shoe so it holds its shape during the repair process.

Cleaning the Shoes

Use a cleaning brush to remove as much dirt and debris from the shoe as possible. Get rid of all that sand, salt, and anything stuck to the outside of the shoe. Next, use saddle soap to thoroughly clean the leather on the upper of the shoe. It's important that the shoes are dirt-free to prevent additional damage.

To do this, wet a cloth and create a lather. Apply the soap to the shoes, then wipe off any excess soap with a rag. Let the shoes dry for 10 minutes. The cleaning process will have dried out your leather shoes, so use a leather conditioner or moisturizer to rehydrate your footwear. Focus on the cracks but ensure you cover the whole shoe.

Repairing the Cracks and Cuts

Sand down the rough edges of the crack or cut with 220 grit sandpaper. Be very gentle and scrub the crack until it better blends in with the surrounding leather. Wipe clean and remove any dust. On a side note, anything coarser than 220 grit sandpaper will damage the leather, so be careful.

Use a resin-based repair cream to fill in the crack. Be sure to get it in a color that matches your shoe. Gently dab the repair cream into the cracks, making sure you leave a smooth, even surface. Let it dry for 15 minutes. Next, apply a cream polish to get a uniform color, which I will cover in the next step.

Eliminating Scuff Marks

If you wear your dress shoes, you're going to accumulate scuffs and marks over time. How do you get rid of all the scuffs and annoying marks on your footwear?

Using Saddle Soap

One option is to use saddle soap to clean the shoes. This step will remove most superficial scuffs. If you don't have saddle soap handy, you can actually use toothpaste to clean scuffs off the leather. Use a toothbrush, preferably not the one you use in your mouth, and a dab of toothpaste. Scrub the scuff marks, apply a little bit of water to help the toothpaste foam up, and then scrub in circular movements. Wipe off and let the shoe dry. Voila, scuff marks removed.

Remember, after you clean your leather like this, you want to condition the leather. You want to re-moisturize it. After doing that, apply a wax polish to protect the shoes.

Dealing with Stubborn Scuffs

For stubborn scuff marks and discoloration, the key is to use a cream polish. These are very effective at restoring a uniform color to your shoes and providing valuable moisture to the leather. To get started, take an applicator brush and apply a layer of shoe cream to the entire shoe. Make sure to get even coverage over the shoe upper. Let it sit for about five minutes, then buff your shoe with a horsehair brush.

Inspect your footwear, examining the shoe for any remaining scuffs or marks you might have missed. If you missed any, apply a second coat of shoe cream to get the job done. Don't forget to apply a wax polish afterward. Wax polishes are great for not only giving a shine but also protecting your shoes from the elements.

Conclusion

So, what artical next? How about how to spit shine your shoes like a Marine? The tips and tricks in that blog are taken from my time in the Marine Corps. Hopefully, you enjoy it. Go check it out; it's a complete tutorial. I know that you're going to love it.