How To Remove Deep Scratches From Leather Shoes

Want to know how to remove deep scratches from leather shoes?

Nothing makes a loud fashion statement than a spanking pair of hide boots, or shoes.

Leather is so sophisticated. It is quite transforming.

However, one of the banes of leather boots and shoes is that they sustain scratches easily. If you do not remove the scratches, they can escalate to cracks.

But …

It would be much better to know how to prevent your shoes from scratching and cracking. But in this case, your shoes are already cracking.

Therefore, you need to know: how do you repair deep scratches in leather?

Is there a way to get scratches out of leather?

Of course there is. This is what makes leather such a winner. You see, with good care as we will show you here, it is easy to give your footwear a new leash of life.

Things you will need:

  • Water
  • Pieces of cloth
  • Vinegar
  • Eraser
  • Hairdryer
  • Renovating cream
  • Toothpaste
  • Old toothbrush

Inspect and clean the shoes first

If your shoes are scratched, they could have other indications of damage. Therefore, give the shoes a visual inspection. Check the soles too. If anything needs a touch, this is the time to note the faulty area.

Clean the shoes. That way, you are going to remove all the dirt and grit that may be stuck in the scuffs out. You cannot get scratches out of leather while there are small particles still lodged inside the scuffs.  

Since leather is usually treated using some products, you need to know how to clean them. Usually, you can just wipe them with a damp piece of cloth. However, if you will treat them again after drying, you can immerse them in water and clean them thoroughly. You just need to know the products that you can use to treat the shoes after removing the scratches.

If there is any dirt caked on the shoes, remove that first. You can slap the shoes against each other. You can then brush the shoes with a soft brush to remove any remaining dirt. Finally, clean the leather with a damp cloth.

If there are scuffs, remove the long ones. You can trim them with a nail clipper or a small pair of scissors. Wipe the shoes again with a cloth dampened with water or vinegar. You will now find that the scratch marks stand out completely.

Using a renovating cream

There are special products for treating leather. You will need such for deeper scratches and scuffs. These come in the form of glues, conditioning creams and cleaning products.

You can buy a good leather renovating cream in the online marketplaces starting. For example, Saphir Renovating Cream that you can buy on Amazon.com is very popular. It is also very effective. On it, you will find the instructions for use.

The first thing to do is to clean the shoes thoroughly such that there is no dirt. Dry them with a clean piece of cloth. If you used an eraser, you need to wipe the small particles away.

Image of how to remove scratches from leather

Since this is a resin, apply it a bit generously on the scratched part. Give it some time to dry up and then apply shoes polish of the same color as the sealing product that you have applied.

If the scratches are not too deep, you can use the methods discussed below. They are the quick-fix methods for restoring your leather shoes.

Using a rubber eraser

This method is mostly recommended for shoes that are not too scuffed. Therefore, it can only help with scratches that are not too deep. You just need to use the eraser on the scuffed parts gently and firmly.

Scrub in a circular motion repeating as much as possible until the scuff is completely gone.  You can then wipe the small particles away using a damp piece of cloth. Brush the shoes with the recommended polish and wear them. However, if it is suede, you cannot polish it.

Using a hairdryer

A hairdryer is not only effective at breaking in leather boots. You can also use it to remove minor scratches on your hide boots.

Set the heat on medium and then apply it on the area that has scratches. You can then let the hot air run on the surface for some time. Gently massage the area with your fingers until the leather regains its original shape.

You can then buff the area using a clean rag or towel. The surface of the shoes regains its original stature. However, you can only use this method on minor scuffs and scratches. If too deep, you need to use a different, more effective method.

Using Toothpaste

Can you fix scratches with toothpaste? This is one of the common home remedies for scratched leather.

If you have small scuffs, remove them with toothpaste. You just need to apply a little toothpaste on an old toothbrush, dip it in water and brush the area with the scuffs in gentle, circular motions. A few minutes of scrubbing should make the scuffs vanish completely.

After using the toothpaste, buff that place with a clean piece of cloth.

Conclusion

Do not walk around with scratched boots. Learn how to remove deep scratches from leather shoes using the best reconditioning cream. That way, you give your footwear a new leash of life. However, to make it easier for you, fix the scratches when they are still minor and on the surface. Do not let the shoes stay too long with minor scratches because they will escalate.