Leather Sandal Cleaning Instructions

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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.