So, you are ready to clean your leather shoes. That’s a great decision. Here are some tips on what to do and not to do. Both are very important. If you are ready to clean your leather shoes you need a cloth and a pan with warm, soapy water. Any mild detergent will do fine. If you can remove the insole that’s a good idea but not necessary. You will not and you never should submerge your cleats in the water. You will only use the damp cloth with soapy water to brush the dirt off the shoes. Leather that is soaked and forced to dry and then get soaked again will show damage over time. Just use enough water to remove the dirt. You will get to ‘polish’ the shoes later. Use the cloth and just a couple of fingers to apply pressure on the shoe by rubbing gently. Rinse out the cloth frequently in the pan of water. Once all the dirt is removed take a dry part of the cloth and lightly rub the shoes until they are “clean” but still damp.

NEVER DRY WITH DIRECT HEAT
To dry your leather shoes without damaging them you should set them close to a floor vent in your house or put a gentle fan on them. It may take overnight for them to dry completely but it’s worth it. Do NOT use a hair dryer, put them outside in the sun or toss them in the oven or microwave. Remember, these shoes will help you score lots of goals and deserve your patience in the drying time.

USE LEATHER POLISH AND SHOE POLISH
After shoes have dried to keep the color and enhance protection you can consider a leather food, mink oil or leather conditioner. They will nourish the leather and give them a softer feel. Don’t over do it though. You want soft leather but it still has to be strong enough to keep its shape when you are cutting left and right on the field. Leather that is overly soft may over-stretch and eventually lose its shape. That will cause your foot to slide around as you play and possibly create blisters.