Sometimes a weekly polish just isn't enough. If your shoes have been through a rough patch, accumulated wax buildup, stubborn stains, or residue from other products, it's time for a proper deep clean. Think of this as a reset button for your leather. You strip away the old layers and start fresh, giving the leather a chance to breathe and soak up nourishment properly.
What You'll Need
- Horsehair Cleaning Brush, for initial dust removal
- Saphir Cleanser, strips old wax, silicones, and deep-seated dirt
- Cleaning Cloth, for applying the cleanser
- Saphir Renovateur Cream, to recondition after cleaning
- Saphir Crème 1925, nourishes, protects, and restores color
- Pig Bristle Spreading Brush, for even cream application
- Horsehair Polishing Brush, for building shine
- Polishing Cloth, for the finishing touch
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Remove the Laces and Insert Shoe Trees
Swap out those old laces while you're at it, deep cleaning day is a great excuse. Insert shoe trees to keep the leather taut and wrinkle-free while you work. This makes it much easier to clean every crease and corner thoroughly.
2. Brush Thoroughly
Use your horsehair brush to remove all loose dirt, dust, and debris. Pay special attention to the welt, stitching, and any textured areas where grime accumulates. Be thorough, you want a clean canvas before applying any products.
3. Deep Clean with Cleanser
Here's what sets the deep clean apart from your weekly routine. Apply Saphir Cleanser to a cleaning cloth and work it over the entire shoe in gentle circular motions. This powerful but leather-safe formula dissolves old wax buildup, removes silicones and resins left behind by other products, and pulls out deep-seated dirt. You'll likely see the cloth pick up color, that's the old product residue coming off, and that's exactly what you want. Let the shoes dry for about five minutes after cleaning.
4. Recondition with Renovateur Cream
After stripping away the old layers, the leather is thirsty. Apply Renovateur Cream generously to restore moisture and suppleness. The cleaning process can temporarily leave leather feeling dry, so this step is especially important. Work it in with your fingertips and let it absorb for a few minutes.
5. Nourish and Protect with Crème 1925
Now that the leather is clean and conditioned, use your spreading brush to apply Crème 1925. On freshly cleaned leather, this cream can penetrate deeper than usual, delivering maximum nourishment. It replenishes the natural oils, refreshes the color, and builds a new protective layer from scratch. Allow five minutes for the waxes to set.
6. Polish to a Shine
Buff energetically with your polishing brush using quick strokes. The results after a deep clean are always more dramatic, the leather responds beautifully when all those old layers are out of the way.
7. Final Buff
Finish with a polishing cloth for a smooth, refined shine. You'll notice the leather looks richer and more vibrant than it has in a while.
Pro Tips
- You don't need to deep clean every week, once every 2 to 3 months is plenty, or whenever shoes feel dull despite regular polishing. Overcleaning can be counterproductive.
- Skip the Cleanser step on brand new shoes or shoes that have only ever been treated with Saphir products, they won't have problematic buildup.
- If you've been using silicone-based products from other brands, a deep clean with Cleanser is the best way to undo the damage and let the leather breathe again.
- After a deep clean, your shoes are in prime condition for color restoration, Crème 1925 in a matching shade will look more vivid than usual.
While you're caring for your shoes, why not treat them to a fresh pair of laces? Browse our full collection to find the perfect match.