How to Soften Leather Shoes

Clean your shoes before applying any substance to the surface. You should not apply oil unless the shoes have been properly cleaned. Use a damp cloth to gently wipe off dirt and debris from the shoe's surface. Wipe again with a dry cloth to ensure the shoes are fully dry before applying the oil.

Select an oil. Applying oil to your shoes can help restore and nourish the leather, making them softer. Various oils can soften leather and prevent or reduce stiffness. Mink oil, specialty leather soaps, coconut oil, and foot care oils are all effective options when softening shoes.

• Seek advice from an experienced cobbler to determine the best oil for your shoes.
• Olive oil has good adhesion, but some people claim it leaves oily stains and may harm the leather.

Read the label of leather care oils. Be cautious of oils containing turpentine, castor oil, mineral oil, and other harmful chemicals. Certain ingredients can damage or degrade the leather. Always read the product label carefully before purchasing a leather care oil.

• Ask the sales associate at the shop where you bought the shoes about which oil would be most suitable for your shoes.

Apply the oil to the shoes. Pour a small amount of oil into a clean dish. Wrap two fingers with a clean cloth or fabric from an old t-shirt. Lightly dip the wrapped fingers into the selected oil. Lift your hand after dipping so that any excess oil drips off into the dish, and then gently rub the oil onto the clean shoe surface in a circular motion.

• After applying a layer of oil to the shoes, allow it to soak in fully.
• Depending on the type of shoes, you may need to wait a few hours or even a full day before applying a second layer. If the shoes still feel greasy or sticky, keep waiting for the oil to absorb completely.
• Once the oil has soaked in, check the softness of the shoes. If they need to be softer, apply another layer in the same manner as the first and check the softness again. Repeat if necessary.

Purchase rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) is available at pharmacies and supermarkets. Do not use regular alcoholic beverages to soften leather shoes; they will only leave a strong alcohol smell on your shoes!

Pour a small amount of alcohol onto a small plate. The amount of alcohol needed will depend on the type of shoe you're dealing with. For high-top shoes or boots, you'll need more alcohol than for ankle-high shoes. Soak a cotton ball in the alcohol and rub it across the entire surface of the shoe. If your shoes have laces, remove them to apply the alcohol to the tongue and inside of the shoe. Let the alcohol absorb and dry for about 30 minutes.

Apply Vaseline to the shoes. Rub Vaseline onto the areas where you've applied alcohol. Use a small brush or a toothbrush to spread the cream evenly over the surface of the shoes. Make sure there's only a thin layer of Vaseline on the shoe. Leave the shoes overnight. After the cream has soaked in and softened the leather, use a dry cloth to wipe off the excess cream.

• If the shoes aren't as soft as you desire after one layer, you can repeat the process until you achieve the desired softness. Sometimes multiple layers are needed to reach the perfect softness.

Put on the shoes and walk around for half a day. One method of softening leather shoes is to wear them. Leather will become more pliable the more you wear it. However, wearing new shoes for an entire day might cause foot pain. To minimize the risk of discomfort, limit the time spent wearing them to half a day, then switch to a more comfortable pair of shoes.

• If you begin to feel pain, take the shoes off and switch to another pair, even if you haven't yet reached the half-day mark.

Continue wearing the shoes for another half day after two days. Two days later, wear the shoes for another half day. Continue alternating wearing the new shoes for half-day stretches every other day. Once the shoes feel sufficiently soft, you can try wearing them all day. Continue wearing the shoes as often as you like after that.

• Your feet sweat frequently. If you wear the new shoes for two consecutive days, they won't have time to dry, especially when they're still new and snug around your feet.

Be patient. The process of softening new shoes takes time. Leather needs a period of adjustment before it becomes as soft as you would like. Thinner leathers, such as calfskin, will soften more easily, but if your shoes have many stitches, this phase will take longer. You can speed up the softening process by wearing socks (one or two pairs) while walking around in the shoes.

• When purchasing leather shoes, choose unfinished leather over pre-finished leather for a naturally softer feel.
• If a particular brand of shoes consistently squeezes your heel and toes too tightly, consider buying a different brand.
• Ensure that the shoes fit well. Shoes that are too loose or too tight will be uncomfortable.
• Prepare to have bandages and ointment ready during the first week of wearing new leather shoes, as this is when your feet are most likely to develop blisters.
• Do not soak your shoes in water. The leather will shrink, leaving you with a pair of shoes that are both stiff and too small.