Ruined shoes, or how to clean them?

[Swededude]

Some week ago I got caught in a situation where I had to walk a couple of 100 meters in severe snow which I had not planned for. The day after when I look at the shoes I wore I notice stains on them (see picture). I haven't have any shoe look like this after snow and water before, what could it be? Is it because the shoe is bad quality or could it be something else? It is a pair of Charles Thyrwitt shoe.

Anyone experienced this type of stain before? Is it cleanable? How do I do to clean the shoes?

 

[cptjeff]

Leather cleaner/conditioner would be a good start. After that, polish.

Despite what many people think, it's rather difficult to completely ruin a pair of leather shoes. Leather is fairly tough stuff.

 

[rabiesinfrance]

Originally Posted by Swededude

Some week ago I got caught in a situation where I had to walk a couple of 100 meters in severe snow which I had not planned for. The day after when I look at the shoes I wore I notice stains on them (see picture). I haven't have any shoe look like this after snow and water before, what could it be? Is it because the shoe is bad quality or could it be something else? It is a pair of Charles Thyrwitt shoe.

Anyone experienced this type of stain before? Is it cleanable? How do I do to clean the shoes?

It works:

http://www.ehow.com/how_4517221_remo...her-boots.html

 

[cioni2k]

+1 to the comments above. Try the diluted vinegar trick, then Condition, and polish. Should be alright. There is a chance you might not be able to do anything with it though. Good luck

 

[ter1413]

and buy a pair of rubbers....for ur shoes.

 

[Swededude]

Thanks for the replies, I'll try the vinegar later today and see how it works. So this should be salt stains then? I have several leather shoes with rubber soles (mainly from Barker and RM Williams) that I use to wear in the winter time and sometimes in weather like the that ruined these shoes, but I've never encountered such a stain before, so it it is a first for me.

 

[Brogued]

Yes, those are salt stains. The diluted vinegar does work, too. Takes some patience, though. Might take multiple applications.

 

[Swededude]

The vinegar worked like a charm, for anyone out there with the same problem!

 

[020-banker]

I have used plain vinegar many times for cleaning shoes like this.

However, since moving to the UK, I have not found plain distilled (eg not malted or flavored vinegar) in the Tesco, Sainsbury's, or other. So where to Brits buy it?

 

[saltysalt]

Hi, is this possible look after salt? It was snowing, but not sure if salt machines were doing there job yet (start of the winter season only).
Could it be something else or 99% salt?
Thing is that viniger does not do ANYTHING to those stains.
Any advice?
Ps: it is fake leather shoes, but I like them.