Are you the kind of person who values their shoes more than anything? Because I surely am one.
I love keeping all my footwear in top-notch condition and absolutely hate it if something bad happens to them. Shoes are easy to get soiled and suffer wear and tear if worn frequently, especially those made of delicate material.
Leather shoes are one of my favorites, but unfortunately, you need to be really careful with them, both while wearing and storing. My naughty little kitten scratched my favorite pair and ruined it, but I wasn’t ready to let it go just yet.
I researched several effective ways to fix leather scratches and learned one new thing that many people don’t know about. Scuffs and scratches are quite different from each other, and there are separate ways to remove them from leather shoes.
Hey guys, it’s me, Stacy Smith, and I am back with another handy guide to help you out with everyday stuff. Today, I will share some tips and techniques on how to remove deep scratches from leather shoes.
Things are about to get technical here, so are you ready? Let’s get started!
What Are Scuffs?
Unlike scratches, scuffs happen when something gets transferred on your shoe and causes a smudge. They are mainly superficial and do not hamper the structural integrity of your footwear.
Now, scuffs are generally of two types depending on the depth of the damage - material transfer and abrasive.
A. Material Transfer Scuffs
These are the marks that occur on the shoe surface when some other object brushes against it. Someone stepping on your feet and leaving behind a black scuff is a classic example of material transfer scuff.
Ways To Remove Material Transfer Scuff
1. Brush
More often than not, you’ll be able to simply wipe away the scuff using a duster or a shoe brush. The latter will be more effective since the bristles are specifically designed to clean footwear.
2. Magic Eraser
For those of you who don’t know, a magic eraser is a moderately abrasive piece of melamine foam used for cleaning stains. It can remove stubborn stains with ease but should be used very carefully because of its corrosive nature.
For starters, wet the foam and try rubbing an inconspicuous spot of your leather shoe. Once you are sure that it’s not damaging the leather go ahead and wipe the scuff off gently, without applying too much pressure.
3. Eraser
If you are skeptical about using the melamine foam and your scuff mark is relatively light, I suggest going for a normal eraser used for rubbing pencils. Those erasers are made of latex and do not have any adverse effect on the leather. However, you’ll have to apply sufficient pressure and rub thoroughly to obliterate the mark.
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- Great for sneaker shoe cleaning. Mr. Clean Magic Erasers tackle tough marks, stuck-on dirt and scuffs to get your shoes looking like new.
B. Abrasive Scuffs
It is known as an abrasive scuff when something comes in contact with your leather and, instead of leaving any superficial mark, causes a slight structural damage. You cannot completely cure this type of mark since the leather has been bruised, but you can try to cover it and make it less obvious.
Ways To Remove Abrasive Scuff
1. Conditioning
Lighter scuffs can be fixed by using an ordinary conditioner that is moisturizing in nature. The leather will take up the moisturizer and swell up a little, just like your skin absorbs it. Then, wait for it to dry completely and top it off with some varnish if you wish.
2. Polishing
Conditioning focuses more on the texture of the leather shoe and cures the mark by filling up the crack. On the other hand, polishing primarily covers the surface and targets the appearance.
Polishes are available in different colors, so you can choose one that will blend the best with your shoe. Normally, the scuffed part of the leather appears light and somewhat sandpapered, so polish does a nice job of masking it and adding a shine.
- Powerful Leather Conditioner: Leather Honey penetrates deep to protect new leather and rejuvenate dry leather and old leather. This non-toxic leather conditioner has no silicone, solvents or animal products
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- Non-sticky, Odorless, Water Repellant Formula: Protect your leather all year long from snow & rain. Our time-tested, non-toxic formula is water-repellant, non-sticky, fragrance-free, and contains no silicone, solvents or animal products
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- WILL NOT DARKEN YOUR LEATHER: Unlike most leather conditioners, Bick 4 Leather Conditioner will NOT darken your leather. It’s perfect for restoring old, worn leathers to their original shine, and keeping your new leather products in the same shade that you bought them. Ideal for keeping all smooth and finished leather soft without compromising breathability.
- COMPLETELY WAX FREE: Unlike other brands, Bick 4 is a completely wax-free product. This ensures that the leather pores will not seal up, keeping your leather soft and able to breathe. It will not leave any trace of sticky or gummy residue.
C. Scratches
Now that you know about scuffs and their types, I can move on to discuss deep scratches. They are gashes that go way deeper than the scuffs and can even cut the leather in extreme cases.
You cannot simply cover deep scratches by putting something on the surface. Meaning, it’s essential to do some filling to fix them. So, I have put together a step-by-step guide for you to remove deep scratches from your leather shoes effectively.
1. Get Rid Of The Loose Leather Pieces
Deep scratches often cause leather bits to stick out from the surface, which need to be removed. You can get rid of them by gently rubbing them with fine (120-220) grit sandpaper or simply snip them off using scissors.
2. Clean The Shoe
Thoroughly clean your footwear using a cleaning brush or a damp cloth, paying more attention to the area that you’ll be fixing. Let it dry before you start the filling process.
3. Fill The Scratch
Fill the damaged part using a leather cream polish that best suits your shoe. Do test it out by dabbing a small amount in a tiny spot first before rubbing it thoroughly on the surface in circular motions.
4. Wipe The Excess
When done with the filling part, evenly clean off the excess polish with a rag and let it dry. Apply another coat in a similar fashion and buff it with a horsehair brush for the final finish.
- SHOE & BOOT POLISH: Saphir’s Pommadier Cream Shoe Polish is designed to polish, restore, and finish leather shoes and boots. This polish waterproofs and protects against harsh weather.
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- VARIETY OF USES: Pommadier will clean, nourish and renovate fine leather. Saphir’s cream polish formula has a high concentration of pigments to condition shoes to their original luster and shine.
- NATURAL WAXES: Kelly's Shoe Polish contains a unique blend of rich, natural waxes that nourish and condition leather, ensuring your shoes stay supple and retain their shine.
- VERSATILE APPLICATION: Perfect for a variety of leather goods including finished, grained, and smooth leather shoes and boots, as well as purses, furniture, car seats, jackets, and more.
- RECOLOR & RESTORE: Kelly's shoe cream not only polishes, but also effectively recolors scuffs and revives the original hue of your leather items, enhancing their overall appearance.
Final Words
Alright, you guys, I have reached the end of my guide on removing scratches from leather shoes. I hope I covered all the important topics and gave you a good deal of information to make your shoe scratch-free.
Before signing off, I’ll leave you with this tip: carefully observe the scar on your leather footwear and assess the type of damage. This will help you employ the most suitable method for fixing the shoe.Â
I’ll see you next time, buh-bye!