Perspiration Do not dry damp shoes near a heat source. Let your shoes rest in a dry, ventilated place. If applicable, remove sole inserts. Consider using Cedarwood shoe trees and a shoe deodorant.

Drenched shoes Do not dry wet shoes near a heat source. The leather will become dry and develop unsightly creases and stains, and it increases the risk of tearing. The adhesive and cork layers inside the shoe can also dry too quickly, resulting in less cushioning and possible tearing in the sole. All that is needed to dry a shoe properly is patience. Place the shoes in a dry, ventilated place and remove any sole inserts. Once the shoes are dry, give your shoes a good clean and polish with the appropriate shoe care products.

Moisture and salt stains Salt stains can form on the outer leather due to excessive perspiration or from road salt in winter. These stains can be removed by dabbing with a cloth dampened with a mixture of 2 parts water and 1 part white vinegar. Please be aware that vinegar is an abrasive substance. First, test this method on a small or hidden piece of leather (the tongue) to see how the leather reacts. When in doubt or for stubborn stains, always consult your local cobbler first. Let the shoes dry and give them a regular clean and polish. Any moisture rings that do not disappear after that will be difficult to remove. Seek personalised advice from your local cobbler.

A wad of paper towels, toilet paper or newspaper in the shoe You can speed up the drying process by stuffing the shoes with a loosely balled-up wad of absorbent paper and changing the paper regularly. Such porous paper absorbs moisture from the shoes more quickly than if it has to evaporate (do not use newspaper pages with large photos, as the ink could soak into the shoe's damp lining). An additional advantage of this method is that the shoe's shape is preserved as much as possible during the vulnerable drying stage.