We understand how much time to can take to maintain a great pair of dress shoes, especially when your shoes are an integral part of your fit. 

Here's the good news: maintaining pristine dress shoes doesn't require expensive tools or complicated methods. With a few basic supplies and our SneakERASERS shoe cleaner, you can quickly turn dull, scuffed shoes into polished perfection.

Ready for a transformation? Let's get your dress shoes looking their best.

Here's What You'll Need to Get Started

Getting started is easy, but you'll need some materials. Get these essentials online or take a look around your house to see if you already have some of these:

• Horsehair brush

• Microfiber cloths or soft, old t-shirts

• Leather cleaner or saddle soap

• Leather conditioner

• Cream or wax-based shoe polish that matches your shoes

• SneakERASERS (perfect for quick, effortless touch-ups)

Optional (but highly recommended for optimal care):

• Shoe trees

• Edge dressing

• Old toothbrush (for detailed areas)

Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Dress Shoes

Now that you have everything, it's time to get in the how-to portion of this article. Follow these steps to clean your dress shoes.

1. Prepare Your Workspace 

Set up a simple workspace by laying out a newspaper or a towel to catch any messes. Look for an area of your home that is suitable. We recommend a living room table or a work desk. 

Remove shoelaces to get full access to hidden grime. This small step boosts your cleaning effectiveness tremendously because shoe laces and dress shoes need to be cleaned differently.

2. Remove Dirt and Debris 

Grab your horsehair brush and gently sweep away dirt with circular and straight motions. For stubborn areas, lightly dampen a microfiber cloth and gently swipe (don't scrub!) the surface.

3. Clean the Leather 

Apply a small amount of leather cleaner or saddle soap onto a damp cloth. Use gentle, circular motions to remove embedded dirt and oils. After cleaning, wipe off excess cleaner and let the shoes air dry naturally, away from heat or direct sunlight, to prevent damage.

In the off chance you’re cleaning white leather shoes, pay extra attention to ensuring the leather cleaner is suitable for lighter colors. This helps prevent discoloration and maintains the shoe’s original finish.

4. Condition the Leather 

Once your shoes are completely dry, massage in leather conditioner using firm, circular strokes. Think of it as moisturizing your skin. Conditioning keeps leather soft, supple, and free from cracks. Allow the conditioner to soak in for about 15 minutes, then buff gently with a dry cloth until smooth.

5. Apply Shoe Polish 

Choose a polish matching your shoe color exactly. Apply a thin, even layer using an applicator brush or cloth-wrapped fingertips, especially near edges. Allow it to dry for 15-20 minutes, then vigorously buff with your horsehair brush. That shine should show in no time.

6. Optional: Achieve a Mirror Shine (Spit Shine) 

For an extraordinarily high-gloss finish, apply ultra-thin layers of wax polish to toe caps and heels. Slightly moisten your finger or a cloth and gently swirl in small circles to polish. Repeat this process in thin layers to achieve a stunning, mirror-like finish. 

7. Add SneakERASERS to Help it Stay Shining Longer

The #1 one issue with cleaning dress shoes is that when your leather shoes get scuffed, you'll need to whip out all the cleaning equipment again to get rid of the marks. This is timely and time is money.

SneakERASERS was built to fix this issue. Our shoe cleaners get rid of the mess on the go, so that you can keep your dress shoe clean before you get in your next meeting or attend your next big event. 

The best part is this will keep your dress shoes cleaner for longer, so you won't need to whip out your leather cleaners or brushes as much.

You'll need to use the orange shammy side, because leather is a more sensitive surface. If your dress shoes are made with rugged/durable leather, the white side can be used to clean off any marks.

How Do I Use SneakERASERS for My Dress Shoes?

SneakERASERS are effective for various shoe types, from leather dress shoes to athletic footwear. For example, running shoes can also benefit from a quick touch-up after a rain in the rain. Here's how to use your SneakERASERS shoe eraser on your dress shoes. 

• Take out your SneakERASER pad—notice the white and orange sides.

• Add a little bit of water to active the sponge's cleaning properties

• Gently swipe the orange side over leather surfaces using light pressure.

Target common problem areas like toe caps, heels, and soles. No rinsing needed. Just let your shoes air dry for a minute. You'll see how quickly and easily your scuff marks can disappear!

SneakERASERS aren't just great for dress shoes. You can use them for almost every surface! For example, running shoes benefit from a quick touch-up via SneakERASER after a rain in the rain

How Do I Keep My Dress Shoes Shine for Longer? 

Extend your dress shoes' life with these simple habits:

• Use cedar shoe trees after wearing shoes to keep their shape and absorb moisture.

• Rotate your shoes to allow so your shoes can recover between wears. 24-48 hours is ideal.

• Store shoes away from sunlight to avoid fading. AKA your closet. 

• Keep SneakERASERS handy for immediate touch-ups so that you can keep your shoes fresh all the time. 

Leather footwear, like golf shoes, also requires periodic cleaning and conditioning to prevent cracking and fading. Applying a leather conditioner can extend their lifespan and keep them looking polished.

When to Use Traditional Cleaning vs. SneakERASERS

Traditional cleaning with brushes and polish is ideal every 3-4 weeks or after exposure to harsh conditions. It's comprehensive, nourishes leather deeply, and establishes protective layers.

SneakERASERS are what you want to use for quick touch-ups, emergencies, or when traveling. Having both ensures you can keep your dress shoes clean at all times for a very long time. 

Your Secret Weapon for Always-Polished Shoes

Congratulations! Now, you know how to clean dress shoes. By combining these straightforward techniques with our handy SneakERASERS, you ensure your dress shoes consistently look their best. Our mission at SneakERASERS is making shoe care quick, easy, and effective.

Keep a SneakERASERS pack nearby and transform your shoes from scuffed to spotless in seconds. Your footwear will thank you.