?fmt=auto&upscale=false&w=704&$h-ttl$)
The Shoe Care Guide
Discover how to keep your favourite shoes looking their best, from first wear to many seasons ahead.
Shoes do a lot of heavy lifting. They take you from morning commutes to late nights, through unexpected rain showers, long days on your feet, and everything in between. Yet they’re often the most overlooked part of a wardrobe when it comes to care. The truth is, good shoe care isn’t about perfection or spending hours polishing. It’s about small, regular habits that keep your footwear looking better, feeling more comfortable, and lasting far longer than one season.
Whether you live in trainers, swear by leather loafers, or only brave suede on dry days, understanding how to care for your shoes properly can make a noticeable difference. And once you get into the rhythm, it’s surprisingly satisfying.
Words: Melisa Rustemova - Published: 05.01.25
Why Shoe Care Actually Matters
Shoes aren’t just accessories. They’re constructed from materials that flex, stretch, absorb moisture, and respond to their environment. Every time you wear a pair, the materials work hard, especially around pressure points like the toe box and heel. Without a little aftercare, this can lead to creasing, odour, loss of shape, and visible wear far sooner than you’d expect.
Looking after your shoes helps them hold their structure, keeps materials supple, and ensures they continue to support your feet properly. It also keeps them looking sharper for longer, which is never a bad thing when shoes often anchor an entire outfit.
Everyday Shoe Care, Made Easy
The best shoe care routines are the simplest ones. Most damage doesn’t come from dramatic mishaps, but from letting dirt, moisture, and wear build up over time. Getting into the habit of checking your shoes when you take them off goes a long way. A quick brush to remove surface dirt, loosening the laces to let air circulate, and leaving them to dry naturally can prevent a whole host of issues later on.
Rotating your shoes is another game changer. Wearing the same pair day after day doesn’t give them time to recover, especially if they’re made from leather. Moisture from your feet needs time to evaporate fully, and materials need a break from constant pressure. This is where the often-mentioned three shoe rule comes in.
The Three Shoe Rule Explained
The three shoe rule simply means rotating at least three pairs of shoes through your week rather than relying on just one favourite. It might sound excessive, but it’s one of the easiest ways to extend the life of your footwear. Giving shoes a day off between wears allows them to dry out fully, regain their shape, and reduces the risk of odour and premature breakdown.
Leather shoes benefit the most from this approach, but trainers and fabric styles appreciate the downtime too. It’s better for your shoes and, honestly, gives you more outfit options.
Cleaning Shoes Without Damaging Them
Cleaning shoes doesn’t need to be aggressive to be effective. In fact, over-cleaning or scrubbing too hard often causes more harm than good. The key is to match the cleaning method to the material and to clean little and often rather than waiting until shoes look beyond saving.
Before using any cleaner or water, always remove loose dirt first. This prevents grit from being worked deeper into the material and makes the cleaning process far easier. From there, it’s all about knowing what each material needs.
Caring for Leather Shoes
Leather shoes are a classic for a reason, but they do need regular attention to stay looking their best. Over time, leather naturally loses moisture, which can lead to stiffness, cracking, and dullness if it isn’t cared for properly.
After brushing off surface dirt, using a leather cleaner helps lift deeper grime without stripping the material. Conditioning is where the magic really happens. A good leather cream feeds the leather, keeping it soft and flexible, while also helping to reduce the appearance of creases. If you like a polished finish, a matching polish adds shine and an extra layer of protection, though neutral creams work just as well for a more understated look.
Using shoe trees after wear helps leather shoes dry in shape and prevents deep creasing, especially around the toe. It’s a small step that makes a noticeable difference over time.
Looking After Suede and Nubuck
Suede has a reputation for being tricky, but it’s more about prevention than constant maintenance. The first rule of suede care is to protect it before you wear it. A suede protector spray helps repel moisture and stains, giving you a bit of breathing room when the weather is unpredictable.
Day-to-day care usually just involves brushing the surface to lift the nap and remove light dirt. For marks or shiny patches, a suede eraser can gently restore the texture without damaging the material. Water should be avoided wherever possible, but if suede does get wet, letting it dry naturally and brushing it once dry usually brings it back to life. Heat is never the answer here, no matter how tempting.
Keeping Trainers Fresh
Trainers work hard, and it shows. Because they’re often worn more frequently, they benefit from more regular light cleaning. Removing laces and insoles before cleaning helps you reach hidden areas and allows everything to dry properly afterwards.
Using a dedicated shoe cleaner with a soft brush lifts dirt without damaging the upper or weakening adhesives. Washing machines might seem convenient, but they can distort shape and break down materials, especially when heat is involved. Air drying is always safer, and stuffing trainers with paper helps them hold their form while they dry.
Caring for Fabric and Canvas Shoes
Fabric and canvas shoes are generally more forgiving, but they still appreciate a gentle approach. Spot cleaning tends to work better than soaking, as too much water can cause colours to fade or materials to lose structure. Mild cleaners and a soft cloth usually do the trick, and patience during drying is key.
As with other shoes, letting fabric styles dry naturally away from heat helps prevent shrinkage and keeps them looking their best.
Dealing With Odour and Freshness
Sometimes shoe care is less about appearance and more about what’s going on inside. Odour usually comes from moisture and bacteria, which is why drying shoes properly between wears is so important. Removing insoles and letting them air separately can make a big difference, as can rotating shoes regularly.
Footwear-specific deodorising sprays or powders help neutralise smells rather than masking them. If odour persists, it’s often a sign that shoes need a deeper clean rather than another spritz of fragrance.
Storing Shoes Properly
How you store your shoes matters more than you might think. Shoes should always be stored clean and completely dry, ideally somewhere cool and well ventilated. Shoe trees help maintain shape, particularly for leather styles, while dust bags protect against scuffs and light exposure.
Avoid stacking shoes directly on top of one another, and steer clear of sealed plastic boxes unless shoes are bone dry. Shoes need to breathe, even when they’re off duty.
Final Thoughts
Looking after your shoes doesn’t need to feel like a chore. With a few simple habits and the right care for each material, your favourite pairs will stay comfortable, polished, and ready to wear for longer. Treat them well, and they’ll keep showing up for you, step after step.
Shoe Care FAQs
What is the three shoe rule?
The three shoe rule is all about rotation. It means wearing at least three pairs of shoes regularly instead of relying on one go-to pair every day. This gives each pair time to rest, dry out fully, and regain its shape between wears. It’s especially useful for leather shoes, which absorb moisture throughout the day, but trainers and fabric styles benefit just as much.
How often should I clean my shoes?
You don’t need to deep clean shoes every time you wear them. Light, regular cleaning works far better than waiting until they look worn out. Brushing off dirt after a few wears and dealing with marks early helps prevent stains from setting in and keeps materials looking fresher for longer.
Does baking soda really clean shoes?
Baking soda can be helpful for absorbing odours, particularly inside shoes, but it’s not a replacement for proper shoe cleaners. It can be abrasive on certain materials and won’t effectively lift dirt or stains from uppers. For best results, stick to products designed specifically for footwear.
What is the white shoe rule?
The white shoe rule is simple: clean them as soon as they get dirty. White shoes show marks quickly, and the longer dirt is left to settle, the harder it is to remove. Regular gentle cleaning keeps them looking brighter and prevents dulling over time.
Can I waterproof all shoes?
Most shoes benefit from a protective spray, but it’s important to choose one suited to the material. Suede and nubuck need specialist sprays that protect without altering texture, while leather benefits from products that nourish as well as repel moisture. Always apply protection before first wear and reapply regularly.
Why do my shoes smell even when they look clean?
Odour usually comes from moisture and bacteria rather than visible dirt. Letting shoes dry fully between wears, removing insoles to air separately, and rotating your footwear helps keep smells at bay. If odour lingers, a deeper internal clean may be needed rather than another quick spray.