What Should You Do Immediately After Your Leather Shoes Are Wet From Rain?

Leather Shoe Care: Monsoon is already here and so is unpredictable rainfall. The sky takes on a moody ride and splashes the city and around with heavy downpour without prior warning. While being fully dressed with leather shoes on, a sudden rainfall can spell disaster for your favourite pair. Unlike sneakers or canvas footwear, leather is a delicate natural material that absorbs moisture, leading to potential damage like staining, warping, cracking or even mold growth.  Thus, it is important to take leather shoe care more than any other footwear. After the surprise drizzle or an unexpected monsoon that ruins your leather shoes, people search for the most common question - “How to dry leather shoes after rain.” Well, no need to worry now, as with leather shoe care tips and tricks after rain, you can easily save your favourite pair.

Taking immediate leather shoe care after getting wet can make the difference between saving them and bidding goodbye. The best way to clean wet leather shoes is to help extend their shelf life. The key lies in prompt, gentle care, no shortcuts or exposure to heat. Here are the water damage prevention tips for leather shoes to make them look fresh and new.

What To Do the Moment Your Leather Shoes Get Wet?

Grab A towel

After the leather shoes get wet wth a rain shower, immediately look for a dry towel. Gently blot the shoes to soak up as much surface moisture as you can. Although rubbing may seem to a natural thing to do, it only pushes the water deeper in. It is best to remove the laces too and let them dry separately, giving the shoes a chance to breathe.

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Let Them Dry

Make sure not to blow-dry them with a hair dryer. It may seem tempting, but it is ideal to stuff them with newspaper or even old paper napkins to soak up the moisture from the inside. Replace it every few hours. Place the shoes in a cool, well-ventilated spot away from direct sunlight or heaters. Although it might be a lengthy process to dry leather shoes, but is worth it and a lot safer.

Leather Shoe Water Prevention Tips (Image Credits: Canva)

A Quick Clean

Once the shoes are somewhat dry, give them a quick clean with a leather cleaner or mild saddle soap. This helps get rid of any water spots, grime or city gunk they may have picked up in the rain. Also, use a soft cloth or brush and clean gently. Leather is more delicate, especially when soaked.

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Moisturise

This may sound weird, but it is a total game-changer. Water tends to strip natural oils from leather, which is why it gets stiff after drying. A good leather conditioner can be rubbed in a small amount with a soft cloth and allowed to breathe overnight.