This Is How You Clean Leather Sandals

While you may know everything you need to about how to wash and clean your clothes, shoes are a little more ambiguous. You can rub soap and water on your gym shoes and not care what happens to them, but deciding how to clean leather sandals requires a little more thought. If you want your sandals to stay in tip-top condition all summer long, then it's probably time to learn how to clean them properly. Having to waste money buying new ones on the regs is not exactly fun.

Leather sandals are problematic when it comes to maintenance, because sandals in theory are pretty easy. They aren't all fancy like your heels, or maybe as polished as flats or loafers, but when you're dealing with leather sandals, that's an entirely different story. You obviously can't treat them like you would an old pair of flip flops or jellies, but what do you do to keep them clean? The way you clean them depends on the issue: Are they just smelly, or are they actually dirty?

If you're unsure of how to clean your leather sandals, here are few tips to make sure you don't ruin the leather and keep them in great condition to last you all summer.

1. Use Baking Soda

Arm & Hammer Baking Soda (Pack of 3), $6, Amazon

If your shoes aren't dirty but they just smell, place your shoe in a plastic bag, sprinkle with baking soda, seal, leave it overnight, then wipe off the baking soda in the morning. The baking soda will absorb the odor.

2. Rub Dirt Off

Before putting any type of liquid on your sandals, decide if the spots are solid or stained. If there is dirt or any solid material on it, use a soft cloth to try to rub that off first.

3. Wash With Leather Conditioner

Leather Honey, $18, Amazon

Put a few drops of leather conditioner on a cloth and rub the dirty spots.

4. Wipe Off Conditioner

Using a clean but slightly damp cloth, rub in a circular motion to remove the conditioner.

5. Dry In The Sun

The best way to dry your leather sandals is in the sun — but try to avoid direct sunlight, because this can damage the leather.

Images: Amazon; Getty Images (3)