How to Make Your Shoes Last Longer: Everyday Care Tips

When you find shoes you love wearing, a little regular care is worth the effort. How you take them off, dry them and put them away can make a difference to how well they hold up.

Whether it is leather boots for autumn, loafers for work or trainers for everyday wear, start with a few simple habits. Here is our practical guide, with examples from the current collection at Leavys Shoes.

Six habits to help your shoes last longer

1. Undo the fastening before taking them off.Loosen laces, open zips and undo buckles instead of forcing your foot out. Avoid pushing down on the back with your other foot. Use a shoehorn when putting shoes on if it helps your heel slide in without crushing the back.
2. Deal with dirt gently.Brush away loose, dry dirt with a brush suitable for the upper. Use a soft cloth where appropriate and clean around trims carefully. A metallic panel, suede section or glossy finish may need different care from the rest of the shoe.
3. Let wet shoes dry in their own time.Blot excess moisture with a clean cloth and open the shoes up to let air circulate. Lightly fill them with plain absorbent paper if needed, replacing it when damp. Keep them away from radiators, hairdryers and tumble dryers, and wait until they are dry inside as well as outside.
4. Give damp pairs a rest.If you have another suitable pair, alternate while the first airs out. There is no fixed drying time: weather, material and how wet the shoes became all matter. Do not put damp shoes straight into a closed box.
5. Store them without squashing them.Keep pairs together in a dry, ventilated place away from direct sunlight and heat. A shelf or individual box protects them better than a pile at the bottom of a wardrobe. Use correctly sized shoe trees or light paper stuffing to support the shape without stretching the uppers.
6. Check small signs of wear.Look at heel tips, soles, stitching, laces and zip pulls regularly. If something is coming loose or wearing unevenly, have it assessed before carrying on in the shoes.

A routine that fits around your day

Choose care by material, not just by brand

A leather boot and a glossy synthetic loafer need different treatment, even if they come from the same brand. Check the product description and any care label before using a cleaner, cream or protector. Test a new product on a small hidden area first and follow its instructions.

• Smooth leather: remove surface dirt gently, then use a care product approved for that leather and finish when needed. Leather cream is not suitable for every coated, metallic or patent surface.
• Suede and nubuck: use a suitable soft brush and specialist care. Keep ordinary shoe polish away from the textured surface.
• Synthetic and patent-effect uppers: start with a soft cloth and a cleaner approved for the finish. Do not assume leather conditioner is appropriate because the shoe looks like leather.
• Textile and mixed-material trainers: clean carefully by hand unless the manufacturer explicitly says the exact style is machine washable. A fabric upper alone does not tell you how the rest of the shoe will cope.

For a fuller explanation, read our shoe care guide for different materials. Manufacturer guidance, such as Tamaris’ care instructions, also separates advice by material.

Care examples from our current collection

These four styles show why it helps to check the details. Each was available in several sizes when we refreshed this guide; open the product page for today’s sizes and price.

Smooth leather · Tamaris

Black leather Chelsea boots

A leather upper, elasticated sides and a chunky 50 mm block heel make this a simple autumn style to wear with jeans or dresses.

Care focus: clean the leather with a suitable product and keep it off the elastic panels. After rain, let the boots dry naturally before putting them away.

View Tamaris boots

Mixed finishes · Caprice

Burgundy RollMotion trainers

These leather trainers combine tonal metallic and textured panels, an H wide fit, adjustable laces and a side zip.

Care focus: check that a cleaner suits each finish before applying it. Open the zip fully and adjust the laces as needed instead of forcing your foot past the heel.

View Caprice trainers

Patent-effect synthetic · Jana

Black wide-fit chain loafers

A glossy synthetic upper, H wide fit and 30 mm wedge sole give these loafers a smart finish for work or everyday outfits.

Care focus: use a soft cloth and a product suitable for synthetic patent finishes. Store the pair so other shoes and buckles cannot scrape against the glossy uppers.

View Jana loafers

Glossy synthetic · Marco Tozzi

Cognac croc-effect loafers

These synthetic loafers have a croc-effect finish, a 35 mm block heel and a cushioned FEEL ME footbed.

Care focus: wipe gently around the texture and trim. Check the heel tips for wear, and avoid treating the synthetic upper with products intended only for uncoated leather.

View Marco Tozzi loafers

Stock checked on 20 September 2026. Availability can change. Fitting and material details apply to these individual styles.

When is a repair worth considering?

A shoe repairer can assess worn heel tips, loose stitching, damaged fastenings or sole wear. Taking a pair in early gives you a clearer idea of what is possible before further wear makes the job more difficult.

Not every sole can be replaced, and not every damaged upper can be restored. Ask what the repair involves and whether the rest of the shoe is in good enough condition to make it worthwhile. A thick sole or a particular brand name alone does not tell you whether a shoe is repairable.

Common questions

Originally published 18 April 2024. Refreshed 20 September 2026 with updated advice and current product examples.