Learning how to protect leather shoes in winter is fortunately fairly simple. Many people have a love-hate relationship with winter. The snow is beautiful, the sports are fun, but the fashion can go right out the window as you try to keep your favorite leather shoes and other favorites from being ruined by the salt, snow and slush. Luckily, you do not have to wear rubber boots wherever you go this winter; with a few simple steps, you can keep your fashion sense about you and enjoy winter, wearing your favorite leather shoes!

Before you slip on your leather shoes to wear in the winter slush, you need to protect them. Just like you would not go out in the rain without an umbrella, your shoes do not want to be dredged through the salt and snow without proper protection. Chamberlain’s Water Protectant No. 3 will help repel water and mud from your leather shoes to avoid unsightly salt rings and accumulated dirt that suddenly make your stylish shoes look like something from a horror film. It only takes a few minutes with a clean cloth or applicator pad to apply the protectant that will save your shoes from harm. Check out our new Water Protectant No. 3 video: For The Trails Ahead filmed by Aiden Franklin from Image Alive Studios.

After you waterproof your leather shoes, they are ready to face the elements. However, this does not mean that you can ignore them for the rest of the winter. They will still need plenty of TLC, especially if you live in an area with harsh winter weather. You know how beat up you feel after walking through the winter weather? Imagine how your shoes feel….after all, they are forced to be in contact with it with every step that you take! Every so often take a close look at them; if you can see an accumulation of visible dirt and salt, it is time to clean your shoes. Don’t worry, this is not a time consuming task. Your shoes will be forever grateful and so will your style! Most of the time, a wipe down with a damp cloth is all you need. If you can tell the shoes need a more thorough cleaning, grab a gentle leather cleaner, like our Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Straight Cleaner No. 2, and apply it liberally, gentling massaging the formula into the leather with a soft cloth. Be gentle when you are rubbing the leather so that you do not remove any of the dye along with the dirt and grime. Once you have cleaned both shoes, let them dry in a warm dry place away from heaters or fires.

Once your shoes can see again after being unburdened of the dirt and grime, the last step is to apply a little love with another thin coat of Water Protectant No. 3 for continued protection. This leather conditioner not only protects your leather, but brings it back to life by replenishing the leather’s natural oils which are what give your leather shoes that soft, rich, gorgeous look that made you fall in love with them in the first place.

Contributors:
Chris Repp (www.leatherhelp.com)
Stephanie Clarke