1.Shoe Trees and Rest
Your feet sweat about a quarter liter (half a pint) of sweat per day. That’s why they need to rest for at least a day with shoe trees. The shoe trees let them retain their shape, preventing cracking. They also help pull moisture out.
2.Brushing
When shoes are looking a little lifeless, it may be time for a treatment. Brushing is the first step in that treatment. Brush the upper and the welt’s stitching.
3.Clean
After brushing, grab some saddle soap. Take about a splash of water and drop it into the saddle soap. With a brush, lather up the soap. Now, brush the upper with the lather. Dry the excess lather on the upper. Let it dry for 15 minutes.
4.Condition
There are many leather care products that fit this job. They will say they condition, moisturize, rejuvenate, or a number of other things.
Apply it. Once dry, brush it.
5.Color and Shine
Coloring your shoes is optional. It is only necessary if they have lost a lot of color or if there’s a nasty mark. Fortunately, shoe polishes sometimes do more than just shine your shoes; they can color them too. Grab a shoe polish and apply it to the upper using a new soft cloth. Allow it to dry for 15 minutes. Then, brush it off with a medium to hard brush.
6.Wax
Waxing provides a small protection and adds to the shine. Grab a wax formulated for leather shoe use. Use very small amounts! When it builds up it can leave an ugly white residue. Also, be careful not to get any in the seams, brogue-holes, and in the wrinkles. Let it dry for a few minutes and brush it.
7.Welt/Outsole Care
The welt should be brushed clean. Then, apply a heel dressing to it. Afterwards, wax it. The topside of the strip has stitches on it. Brush it clean with no products and apply wax to it as well.