How to Care for Your Leather Alden Shoes

Alden Shoe Brush

The best leather shoe maintenance starts with a good brush. The six-inch Alden shoe brush is a champ for keeping your leather shoes pristine. Made with 100% horsehair bristles, it's gentle yet effective at removing dirt and grime. The wooden handle gives you a comfy grip for a thorough clean. Why is this little tool a must-have? Horsehair brushes are ace at distributing polish evenly, working it deep into the leather, and buffing your shoes to a shine that'll make you smile. It's a small step that makes a big difference in your shoe care game.

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Alden Polishing Cloth

The Alden polishing cloth is a chamois material must-have for your Alden leather shoe care ritual. It's not just any rag; it's a soft, non-abrasive cloth designed to bring out the best in your leather shoes. At 26 inches by 12 inches, it's a handy size to give your shoes a good rub down after you've applied polish, helping to work the product in and then buff it to a gleaming finish. With the Alden logo right on it, you know it's made with the same commitment to quality as your favorite shoes. A polishing cloth is essential because it smoothly removes excess product and buffs the leather to a shine without risking damage.

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Alden Leather Defender

Alden Leather Defender provides the leather shoe protection you want for your Alden shoes. It's your go-to for guarding against the everyday mishaps that leather shoes face. This water-based spray is kind to smooth leathers, including the luxe shell cordovan, and at four fluid ounces, it's the perfect size for your shoe care arsenal. It's like an invisible shield, keeping those annoying spots and discoloration at bay, especially when you're out and about. Just remember, if you've got suede or nubuck, this isn't the defender for you.

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Alden Shoe Bags

Alden shoe bags are crafted from a fine, durable fabric designed to shield your shoes from both external harm, like scuffs and scratches, and internal threats, such as dust and moisture. These bags are a key part of any shoe care routine, offering an extra layer of protection to keep your shoes looking new. Whether you're storing them at home or tossing them in a suitcase for travel, these bags ensure your shoes stay in top-notch condition.

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Alden Shoe Trees

Your list of must-have leather shoe care products should include Alden shoe trees. We offer a range of cedar shoe trees designed to keep your shoes in shape and extend their life. The Alden Cedar Shoe Trees feature a split-toe design and adjustable spring-loaded mechanism, using the natural properties of cedar to absorb moisture and fight off odors. The Heritage Collection Ultimate Cedar Shoe Trees boast a European design with an expandable full crown and contoured heel, along with dual brass-plated steel tubes for stability. Meanwhile, the Heritage Collection Elite Cedar Shoe Trees combine an overhang heel with an expandable split toe, making them versatile for various footwear styles.

Shoe trees are vital for shoe care as they help maintain the shoe's shape, prevent creases and allow the leather to breathe and recover between wears. Cedar wood also naturally deodorizes shoes, keeping them fresh.

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Alden Leather Shoe Care Tips

As part of your Alden leather shoe care, we recommend giving even your favorite pair of shoes a day off from time to time so that they can air out, allowing the moisture to dry up so that the leather lasts longer. For shoes that aren't your everyday go-to, investing in a cedar shoe tree will help absorb excess moisture in the shoe and keep the shoe's shape.

Shoes shaped on cedar trees should be dried at room temperature, away from any heaters. Heaters or excessive dry heat may cause the leather to dry out and become brittle and can also harm the adhesives that hold portions of the shoes together. Avoid storing your shoes in boxes for extended periods of times, as this can cause leather and other shoe materials to deteriorate.

Leather Shoe Cream and Edge Dressing

Proper leather shoe treatment includes using a cream polish, which should be applied with a horsehair brush and is available in an array of colors to match your shoe. However, cream polish should not be used on suede or nubuck.

Edge dressing is also an important investment and is most commonly applied to dress shoes with leather soles. The edge can be applied with a brush or a sponge and will enhance the overall appearance of the outsole, in addition to providing added protection for your shoe.

Brushes and Shoe Horns

A horsehair brush is used to work the polish into your shoe leather and remove excess polish from the shoe. Horsehair brushes come in both dark and light colors, and you should invest in the appropriate option depending on the color of your shoe.

A suede block or brush should be used for any suede or nubuck material to clean excess dirt or dust from the shoe.

A shoehorn is essential for good leather shoe maintenance. It's used to slide your foot into the shoe. It protects the back of your shoe, helping to maintain the shape and fit of the shoes.

Waterproofing and Waxing Products

Water-resistant shoe care products can protect the shoe's surface and help prevent future damage, making the shoe easier to clean. However, Alden advises against using any spray shines or aerosol-type waterproofs. We recommend purchasing a pair of high-quality galoshes such as SWIMS galoshes to protect your Alden shoes instead.

If you decide to use a waterproofing product, do so with caution, as it may alter the color of your shoes. Only use high-quality leather shoe care products on your Alden shoes, and always test new products on an inconspicuous area before use.

Investing in a wax polish to finish off the cleaning will add more color and shine to your shoes. It is best applied with a slightly damp cloth.

Full Grain Leathers

For full grain leathers, wipe the surface gently with a dry cloth to remove any dried dirt or dust. Once the surface layer of dust and dirt is removed, dampen the cloth with warm water and wipe the shoes down a second time. Allow your shoes' leather to dry out in open, room temperature air, away from direct sunlight and heaters. Then, use a cream polish (that matches the color of the shoe), buffing the shoes to leave them shiny and like new.

Beeswaxed and Oiled Leathers

For beeswaxed and oiled leathers, remove the exterior dirt with a dry cloth, then use a leather cleaner to clean the shoe. Once the cleaner has dried, apply a quality leather protector and restorer, which are usually composed of oils and other non-water-soluble compounds such as lanolin to protect the leather against water damage.

Suede

Use a rubber eraser to remove direct dirt from suede, then brush the shoe lightly with a soft brush (one made specifically for suede). Brushing the suede in the same direction is vital to keep a consistent look of the same color. Do not use a wire brush as this can cause damage to the suede. Finish the cleaning with a silicone spray and a stain-resistant coat.

Patent Leathers

When cleaning patent leathers, use a damp cloth with warm water and a pea-sized drop of mild soap. Follow the initial cleaning with a patent leather cleaner. Use a cleaner that contains silicone to get the highest gloss.

After cleaning leather, it is crucial to use a waterproofing solution to protect your shoes' leather from water damage. Readily available non-silicone spray coating or a rain/stain repellent works best.