5 hacks to waterproof your leather shoes at home

Sometimes quality leather shoes can get soft, stiff, and even begin to pill when they get wet, accidentally fall into a puddle, or any other type of water damage. To sustain the quality, a few preparatory items are necessary to keep your footwear during rainy weather. 

Surface dirt will be picked up with a horsehair brush or microfiber cloth, a mild leather cleaner and the waterproofing agent of your choice. It’s essential that the leather is 100% clean because if dust or grime is stuck behind a barrier, it will permanently discolor and deface the leather over time.

In this article, Tribune Online examines five highly effective, budget-friendly hacks to shield your favorite leather pairs from moisture right at home.

The Beeswax rub

Smooth leather is coated with a very durable and waterproof layer of beeswax. To use this hack, make sure the shoes are thoroughly clean and rub a block of pure beeswax over the entire surface until a film of beeswax is visible and slightly cloudy.

Then sweep the shoe with a household hair dryer, set on medium heat, to evenly melt the wax into the shoe’s pores. Finally, polish the leather with a soft microfiber cloth by rubbing it vigorously to give it a clean and shiny look.

Commercial waterproofing sprays

Silicone or polymer based protector sprays are the fastest protection against moisture and liquid stains. Shake the can well, and apply an evenly distributed, light layer of the product over the exterior surface, holding the container about 6 inches away from the shoes. 

Let the first coat dry thoroughly for half an hour before putting the second coat on it to ensure full coverage. This technique is especially recommended for suede and nubuck variants that are not suitable for use of heavy waxes.

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Mink oil treatment

Mink oil is a deep conditioner, naturally waterproofs hard leather, and also repels water. Take some of the paste and spread it out evenly on a clean cloth and rub it in thoroughly, gently massaging the paste into the material with circular motions, with particular care around the weak stitched seams. 

Allow to rest for 12 hours, then dry off any excess oil with a dry rag. This treatment will slightly darken lighter colors of leather.

Direct candle wax application

If pure beeswax is not available then a regular, unscented paraffin type candle makes a great household substitute.

Scrub the outside of the shoe thoroughly with the side of the candle until it is covered and white. Gently melt the paraffin into the fibres using a hair dryer, giving immediate waterproofing from light rain.

Vaseline as an emergency sealant

Petroleum jelly works as a quick, short-term moisture barrier if you are caught without standard shoe care products.

Apply a very thin layer of Vaseline using a soft cloth and buff it gently into the surface to create a temporary hydrophobic coating. Use this hack sparingly, as excessive oil accumulation over time can attract airborne dust.