Patent leather shoes are a fashion staple and one of the most versatile items in your wardrobe. You can wear them with virtually anything to give your outfit an instantly updated look. But how long do patent leather shoes last?
The short answer is that patent leather shoes can easily last more than 5 years with proper care. This includes the way you clean, protect, and store them. Also, how long patent leather shoes will last depends on how often you wear them and how much abuse they take, patent leather shoes.
Patent leather shoes can last very long assuming that the patent leather shoes are made from high-quality materials and nicely tailored. You can extend this life by treating them with a water-resistant spray, preventing scuffing, and scratches, among other things.
It’s important that you take care of them properly so that they’ll last as long as possible. This article will walk you through everything you need to know about patent leather shoe care and maintenance so it lasts long.
What Can You Do To Make Your Patent Leather Shoes To Last?
How long your patent leather shoes last comes down to how well you take care of them. Here are some steps to help keep your patent leather shoes in good shape for the longest time possible;
1. Store Your Patent Leather Shoes On Shelves
When you’re not wearing your patent leather shoes, store them on a shoe shelf or in a shoebox. This will help keep their shape and protect them from dust, dirt, scuffing, and scratches.
You do not want to store your patent leather shoes in a pile or on the floor as this can also cause mold and mildew growth on your patent leather shoe.
Storing your patent leather shoes on the shelves can make a huge difference in their appearance and how long they last.
2. Allow Spaces Between Your Patent Leather Shoes When Storing Them
It is important that you do not store your patent leather shoes on top of one another or have them closely packed or stored together.
This is a bad idea because patent leather shoes are susceptible to color transfer when they are stored this way.
If you must store your patent leather shoes together, use a shoe bag to separate them or leave a few inches of space between each shoe.
Not just any shoe bag but shoe bags that are white or uncolored as the colors from the storage bags can also get transferred onto the patent leather shoe.
Having spaces in between your patent leather shoes and storing them in the right bags will protect them from color transfer and prevent scuffing when you take them out for wear.
Doing this allows your patent leather shoes to maintain their pristine appearance and look for a really long time.
3. Use Shoe Trees In Your Patent Leather Shoes
Shoe trees are a great way to help your patent leather shoes keep their shape while being stored in the closet or on shelves for an extended period of time.
You can pick up a shoetree that has been designed specifically for patent leather shoes here on Amazon.
Make sure to get one that is adjustable and fits your shoe size and insert them into the patent leather shoes.
This will help ensure that your patent leather shoes maintain their shape for many many years to come without getting deformed.
If you want your patent leather shoes to last very long, pick up shoe trees to help keep them in good shape.
4. Clean Them With A Gentle Cleaner
Use a gentle cleaner to clean your patent leather shoes. Do not use harsh chemicals or detergents as these can damage the surface of your patent leather shoes.
The surface of your patent leather shoes will become dull with time but using harsh chemicals on them will not only make them a lot faster but can also strip away the original finish and color.
There are a lot of gentle cleaners that you can purchase from your local store or online. Make sure to read the instructions on how to use them before applying them to your patent leather shoes.
A good way to clean your patent leather shoes is to simply use a damp cloth and/or some soapy water. Gently wipe down the surface of the patent leather shoe and allow it to air dry.
This is a very simple way to clean your patent leather shoes without causing any damage to them.
Cleaning your patent leather shoes with a gentle cleaner is one way to make sure they last long without any damage.
5. Wear Socks With Your Patent Leather Shoes
This is simple but important. Make sure to wear socks with your patent leather shoes because while patent leather is shiny and glossy on its surface, it is still made up of the natural fiber of real leather.
So wearing your patent leather shoes without socks subjects it to sweat and oils from your feet, which can gradually cause severe damage to your patent leather.
Wearing socks helps to absorb the sweat and oils from your feet so it doesn’t come into contact with the natural fibers within your patent leather shoes.
Doing this with time will help to keep your patent leather shoes in great condition and looking good as new for a very long time.
6. Treat Crease Marks Immediately
Crease marks are one of the most common problems that you will see on patent leather shoes.
When your patent leather shoe is creased, it can lead to irreversible damage and even cause cracks or wrinkles in areas where they have been folded for a long time.
Usually, areas around the toe box and back portion of your patent leather shoes are the most common areas to get crease marks.
And if you do not treat them immediately, it can lead to deep cracks you might not be able to do much about later.
You can easily treat those initial creases by inserting shoe trees when you are not wearing your patent leather shoes. There are also sealers, fillers, and conditions you can use to restore deep creases on your patent leather.
7. Do Not Use Abrasive Cleaners And Scrubbers
Abrasive cleaners and scrubbers will only damage the surface of your patent leather shoes.
The finish and color on the surface of your patent leather shoes can be easily damaged with just a few scrubs from an abrasive cleaner.
So avoid using them at all costs if you want to maintain the original state of your patent leather shoes for a long time.
Avoid using sandpapers, magic erasers, steel wool, etc for your patent leather shoes as this can cause permanent damage.
8. Store It Away From Direct Sunlight
Coming back to the topic of storage, make sure to store your patent leather shoes away from direct sunlight.
Sunlight contains harmful UV rays that can cause the surface of your patent leather shoes to fade and discolor over time.
It is also a good idea to store them in a cool, dry place where there is little humidity.
This will help keep the original condition and color of your patent leather shoes for as long as possible.
So as you can see properly storing your patent leather shoes will go a long way in preserving their condition for a very long time.
9. Do Not Use Any Heat Source To Dry Them After Cleaning
When you are done cleaning your patent leather shoes, do not use any heat source to try and speed up the drying process.
Heating elements such as a hairdryer or oven can easily damage the surface of your patent leather shoes.
It is best to just let them air dry naturally so that there is no potential for any damage to occur.
So avoid using any heat source if you want your patent leather shoes to last for a very long time without experiencing any damage.
Do this with the help of free-flowing air and leave it in an area where there is little humidity like near windows or basements, etc.
This will allow them to dry naturally so you don’t have to worry about any damage that may come from using heat.
10. Avoid Scuffing And Abusing The Shoes
One important thing that determines how long your patent leather shoes will last is how well you take care of them.
Patent leather shoes are not made to withstand excess scuffing, bending, twisting, or dragging on rough surfaces like regular leather can. So avoid doing any activities that may cause extra damage to your patent leather shoes.
They are best suited for formal events and occasions where there is less chance of them getting scuffed, scratched, or damaged.
If you are going to be walking a lot or doing any physical activity, it is best to leave your patent leather shoes at home and opt for a more durable option.
This will help keep the condition of your patent leather shoes in top-notch condition so they can last you for a very long time without any damage.
11. Treat The Patent Leather Shoes With Water-Resistant Spray
Another thing that helps to extend the life of your patent leather shoes is treating them with a water-resistant spray.
Water-resistant sprays help to protect the surface and finish of your patent leather shoes from any potential damage that may come from exposure to moisture or humidity.
It also helps to minimize the impact of scuffs and scratches that can come from normal wear and tear.
So if you want to keep your patent leather shoes looking their best for as long as possible, I highly recommend using a water-resistant spray on them every once in a while.
This will help maintain the overall look of your patent leather shoes so they continue to look fresh even after being worn quite often.
12. Remove Dirt And Dust With A Soft Cloth
Last but not least, to keep your patent leather shoes looking their best for as long as possible is removing dirt and dust.
You can use a soft cloth or duster to remove any loose dirt particles from the surface of your patent leather shoes before or after regular wear.
You do not want to leave any form of dust or debris on the surface of your patent leather shoes as this can cause scuffs and scratches which is something you wouldn’t like.
Final Thoughts
So as you can see, taking care of your patent leather shoes is not that difficult but it is important if you want them to last for a long time.
Just be sure to follow these simple tips and you will be able to enjoy your patent leather shoes for many years to come. Thanks for reading!
