How To Clean Boat Shoes

Boat shoes were designed to keep sailors safe on deck, but lately they have become a major fashion trend. Because some brands offer designs that are quite expensive, it is important to take care of the shoes, which will keep them looking newer longer. The following tips will provide some insight on how to properly clean and maintain deck shoes.

First, dampen an all-purpose sponge and quickly but thoroughly wipe the entire shoe down, focusing on the sole, where grime and dirt tend to reside. To a soft cleaning cloth, apply saddle soap and gently massage this into the shoes with uppers made of leather. This process can be repeated as often as necessary, as it may take a while to remove set-in dirt.

Shoes with canvas uppers can be sprayed with carpet cleaner, and once the cleaner is left to soak in for three minutes, a brush can be used to softly scrub the shoe. The carpet cleaner residue can be washed away with a sponge and cold water. It is important to only use the carpet cleaner on canvas shoes, because the chemicals in the cleaner can actually harm leather. 

Next, on canvas uppers only, apply Shout spray or any other stain treatment, allowing the stain-lifter to remain on the stain for anywhere from five to ten minutes. A water-soaked sponge can be used to remove and rinse any remaining residue, which is an important step, especially since the residue can permanently stain light colored canvas if not removed.

Finally, any discolorations on leather uppers can be removed with saddle soap, applied thickly and directly to the soiled area. The soap can soak into the stain for up to an hour before a dry cloth is used to buff the area clean. Letting the soap remain on the stain or discoloration for more than an hour is not recommended, as irreparable damage can occur.

Boat shoes are a stylish and convenient form of footwear, but require attention from time to time. Both canvas and leather uppers must be cleaned and treated to keep the shoes looking fresh and feeling great. High quality shoes can endure many years of wear if properly cared for, and remain a major wardrobe staple for many years to come.