How to make shoes will last longer by storing away from ‘worst’ area

Suede and leather shoes are certainly a stylish choice, but they can sometimes cause a headache when it comes to taking care of and ensuring they last a long time. When a scuff mark or stain appears, many people reach for the first available cleaner, hoping for a quick fix, but these rushed decisions can turn expensive footwear into unwearable disasters.

Leanna Spektor, Co-Founder & Style Expert at Brand House Direct, says: “People panic when they see a stain and immediately try to scrub it away or soak the shoe, but suede and leather are delicate materials that require specific care. The cleaning methods that work on regular fabrics can permanently ruin these premium materials.”

Leaving shoes near radiators

After getting your shoes wet, whether from cleaning or just heading out in the rain, the instinct is to dry them quickly. Many opt to leave their shoes near the radiator for a couple of hours; however, this could spell disaster.

High temperatures cause leather to shrink, crack, and become brittle. The material contracts unevenly, causing warping that alters the shoe’s shape, and the glue holding the components together melts or weakens, resulting in sole separation and stitching failure.

Leanna warns: “Heat damage happens fast. You might not notice it immediately, but a few hours next to a radiator can warp your shoes beyond repair. The leather becomes stiff and develops cracks that spread over time.”

Using harsh chemicals

“I’ve seen customers bring in shoes that look completely different after using kitchen cleaners or laundry detergent,” says Leanna. “Leather needs its natural oils to stay flexible, and suede’s texture relies on its delicate nap. Harsh chemicals destroy both.”

Products containing bleach, ammonia, or strong detergents should be kept far away from your luxury shoes, can permanently fade or discolour both suede and leather. And making matters worse, this colour damage is often immediate and irreversible.

Soaking shoes in water

When dealing with a stubborn stain, people often submerge their shoes in water, but this is a huge mistake that can lead to irreversible damage.

Water weakens the adhesives holding the shoe together, leading to separation between the sole and upper. Leather absorbs water and then stiffens as it dries, losing its natural flexibility and comfort

While suede can suffer even more, with water flattening the material’s signature texture and creating permanent watermarks that darken the surface and are impossible to remove.

Scrubbing aggressively

Warning against vigorous scrubbing, Leanna says: “Gentle treatment is everything with premium materials. A soft touch preserves the finish and texture. Aggressive cleaning does more harm than the original stain ever would.”