Leather sandals are comfortable to wear during warm weather, but sweaty feet and contact with the elements can make them dirty -- even smelly. Keep odors and discoloration under control by cleaning leather sandals four to five times a year. It only takes a few minutes to give your sandals some much needed attention and prolong the life of your favorite summer footwear.
Cleaning Finished Leather
Step 1
Squirt a dab of liquid hand soap on a damp cloth. Rub the cloth together to create a cleansing lather.
Step 2
Rub the soapy cloth over the leather without saturating the entire shoe. Work the cloth over straps and the outside of the sandal.
Step 3
Take a clean, damp cloth and wipe away the lather. Never immerse the leather in water, because this can cause the leather to shrink and crack.
Step 4
Wipe the leather with a microfiber towel until the sandals feel dry. Using a terry cloth towel can leave fuzz behind.
Cleaning Untreated Leather
Step 1
Rub a clean, dry cloth over a tin of leather soap. A dime-sized amount is enough leather soap for both shoes. Lather up the cloth by rubbing it together.
Step 2
Apply the lather to the shoes with the cloth. Rub the leather soap into the leather areas of the sandal.
Step 3
Take a clean cloth and rub off the lather. Place the sandals in the sun to dry. Finish the cleaning by applying leather preservative to the shoes.
Step 4
Minimize smells by mixing 1 teaspoon of vinegar with one cup of warm water. Dip a cloth in the vinegar and water mixture, then rub the cloth around the interior of the shoe to kill odor-causing bacteria.