How to Care for Leather Sandals

Leather sandals have a hard life: bare sweaty feet, sun, sand, the odd splash — and then months in a cupboard. A little care keeps them looking good and lasting for many summers instead of one. Here's how to care for leather sandals, footbed and straps included.

The sweat problem (and why the footbed matters)

Unlike closed shoes, sandals meet your bare skin directly, so the leather footbed absorbs sweat and oils. Over time that darkens the footbed and can cause odour. It's normal — a darkened, moulded footbed is part of how good leather sandals age — but a few habits keep it fresh:

• Let them air and dry between wears rather than wearing the same pair every day.
• Wipe the footbed now and then with a barely damp cloth; for odour, a little baking soda left on overnight and brushed off helps.
• Rotate pairs in peak summer so each has time to dry out fully.

Cleaning the leather

1. Brush off sand and dust — grit is abrasive.
2. Wipe with a barely damp cloth, water only or a tiny amount of mild soap for marks. Never soak them.
3. Blot, don't rub, and let them air dry at room temperature, away from direct sun and heat, which fade and dry leather.

For vegetable-tanned sandals, be extra careful with water, as veg-tan marks more easily — see our vegetable-tanned leather guide.

Condition the straps

Straps flex constantly and are where sandals crack first. Every few weeks in season, work a small amount of leather conditioner into the straps and footbed to keep them supple. It also helps break in new straps and prevents the stiffness that causes rubbing. The full routine is in our leather-care guide.

Sun, water and the beach

• Sun fades and dries leather — don't leave sandals baking on a hot windowsill or car dashboard.
• Salt water and chlorine are harsh on leather; rinse off splashes with a damp cloth and dry naturally. Leather sandals aren't swimming shoes.
• Wet sandals should air dry slowly, never on a radiator.

Storing them for winter

At the end of summer, don't just toss them in a box:

• Clean and condition them first, so they're not stored with sweat and grime in the leather.
• Stuff lightly with tissue to hold their shape.
• Store somewhere cool, dry and airy — never a sealed plastic bag, which traps moisture and invites mould.

Come spring, they'll be ready to wear instead of stiff and musty.

Frequently asked questions

How do I clean the footbed of leather sandals? Wipe it with a barely damp cloth; for odour or darkening, leave a little baking soda on overnight then brush it off. Let them air dry fully and condition occasionally to keep the leather supple.

Why is the footbed of my sandals turning dark? That's sweat and oils absorbing into the leather — normal for genuine leather sandals, and part of how they mould to your feet. Airing them between wears and rotating pairs slows it down.

Can leather sandals get wet? A splash is fine if you blot and air dry them, but avoid soaking, salt water and chlorine, which are harsh on leather. Never force-dry with heat.

Sandals made to last

Treated well, good leather sandals get better with each summer. Explore our handmade leather sandals — TOKU, Meeliku and Miku styles crafted in Estonia from natural materials, ready to mould to your feet for years.