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How To Remove Creases From Leather Shoes Properly and Easily

Leather shoes are versatile and never go out of style, but they tend to develop creases with wear over time. These creases make leather shoes look worn out and can affect comfort, but thankfully there are easy ways to remove them. I will share tips on how to remove creases from leather shoes properly and easily.

How to remove creases from leather shoes is various ways of getting wrinkles and folds out of the leather. Leather creases appear in leather shoes with wear and improper storage. Creases can be removed using shoe trees, leather conditioners, crumpled newspaper, heat and pressure, or a professional. 

Have you got a pair of leather shoes that look old because of creases across the toes? Are you looking for an easy way to properly remove creases from leather shoes? Let’s explore the best methods for getting creases out of leather shoes.


What Is Removing Creases From Leather Shoes?

Removing creases from leather shoes is using different methods to get the wrinkles and folds out of the leather. Leather shoes are staples in many wardrobes because of their timeless style, but creases can show up with wear and improper storage over time.

These creases can ruin their look and make it seem like they are old, but they can be removed and prevented. Removing creases from leather shoes can be done through a few easy methods.


What We’ll Explore

  • Clearing up Myths & Misconceptions
  • Reasons You Might Choose To Remove Creases From Leather Shoes
  • Variations or Styles of How To Remove Creases From Leather Shoes
  • How To Remove Creases From Leather Shoes Overview Table
  • Skill Level of How To Remove Creases From Leather Shoes
  • Tools and Supplies Needed To Remove Creases From Leather Shoes
  • How To Remove Creases From Leather Shoes Step by Step
  • How to Get Better at Removing Creases From Leather Shoes
  • My Personal Research on How To Remove Creases From Leather Shoes
  • Helpful Insights on How To Remove Creases From Leather Shoes
  • Key Takeaways
Various Pairs of Brown Leather Shoes - How To Remove Creases From Leather Shoes - Liberty Leather Goods
Various Pairs of Brown Leather Shoes

Clearing Up Myths & Misconceptions

Leather is a complex material, and there are many myths about its proper care and removal of creases. It has been said that putting leather shoes in a freezer will remove creases. This is false and can actually make creases worse and lead to cracks in the leather. 

Some have said that soaking leather shoes in water will remove creases. However, water will cause the leather to shrink and crack, not remove creases. Others have said that applying shoe polish will remove creases in leather shoes. It may disguise creases temporarily but not in the long term.

Reasons You Might Choose To Remove Creases From Leather Shoes

Leather shoes don’t look as nice when there are creases, which prematurely age them. Removing creases restores a smooth look and makes leather shoes more beautiful. It can also improve the lifespan when one chooses to remove creases from leather shoes as it prevents tearing and cracking. 

Creases in leather shoes can also make them more uncomfortable and possibly cause pain and blisters. Removing the creases helps leather shoes fit better and feel more comfortable.

Variations or Styles of How To Remove Creases From Leather Shoes

There are several variations of removing creases from leather shoes, and one may choose the method based on available resources. These are all proper and easy techniques that, if done carefully, can remove even the most stubborn creases in leather shoes.

  1. Shoe tree
  2. Stuff with crumpled newspaper
  3. Heat and pressure
  4. Leather conditioner
  5. Leather shoe professional

How To Remove Creases From Leather Shoes Overview Table

Area of PreparationDetails
TechniqueHow To Remove Creases From Leather Shoes
Overall Level of Skill (1–5)2
Time to Complete (minutes/hours)30 minutes to 8 hours
Workspace NeededTabletop or stable surface
Skills NeededBasic leather care
Tools and Supplies NeededShoe tree, newspaper, leather conditioner, hair dryer
Key Helpful TipAlways use leather conditioner.
How To Remove Creases From Leather Shoes Characteristics

Skill Level of How To Remove Creases From Leather Shoes

Removing creases from leather shoes does not take much skill, however some knowledge of basic leather care and damage prevention is a plus. The methods I discuss here are relatively easy and quick. Just keep in mind a couple of things: heat can cause damage to leather if not used carefully, and leather conditioner is always appropriate and can solve many problems that can occur with leather.

Removing creases from leather shoes improves durability, lifespan, and comfortable fit.

Tools and Supplies Needed To Remove Creases From Leather Shoes

Removing creases from leather shoes only takes a few simple tools and supplies. 

  1. Shoe trees can prevent creases in the first place. 
  2. Newspaper or tissue paper. Make sure not to use colored paper to prevent stains.
  3. Leather conditioner to keep shoes supple and flexible. 
  4. A hairdryer is an option for using heat to remove creases.

How To Remove Creases From Leather Shoes Step by Step

Creases in leather shoes can vary in severity and complexity, and sometimes multiple methods must be used to remove them. I have started with the easiest methods, and some can be combined for tough creases. The most important thing is to keep the leather conditioned and store the shoes properly to prevent creases from occurring and worsening.

  1. Stuff the leather shoes with crumpled newspaper or tissue paper when not being worn. This helps fill empty space and prevent the shoes from bending at those crease points. 
  2. Place shoe trees in the leather shoes when not being worn. This also helps fill those empty spaces and prevent bending.
  3. With crumpled newspaper or shoe trees in place, use a hair dryer about 6 inches away to warm the creases. Use gentle finger pressure to smooth out the creases. Apply a leather conditioner to prevent the leather from drying out from the hair dryer.
  4. Apply leather conditioner to leather shoes regularly. This will keep the leather soft, prevent cracking, and restore elasticity to minimize the appearance of creases.
  5. When in doubt, consult with a leather shoe professional. They have the tools and experience to properly repair creases in leather shoes as well as any other issues.

The most important thing is to keep the leather conditioned and store the shoes properly to prevent creases from occurring and worsening.

How To Get Better at Removing Creases From Leather Shoes

You know what they always say-practice makes perfect! The same holds true for getting better at removing creases from leather shoes. One may find that one method works better, or they may not have a shoe tree or hair dryer.

Certain types of synthetic leathers are more crease-resistant, according to an article in the Indian Journal of Fiber & Textile Research by Rahimi and Ahmadi, so one may consider this type of leather shoe. So try different methods and know that the key with leather creases prevents them from getting too bad.


Watch this video from The Shoe Snob as they demonstrate removing creases from leather shoes.

My Personal Research on How To Remove Creases From Leather Shoes

Many people have leather shoes of different styles and ages, and I was curious to find out how they feel about creases. I asked them what methods they use to remove those creases, and here is a table representing the percentages of their responses and what I learned from the poll about how to remove creases in leather shoes.

Crease Removing MethodTimes Selected
Shoe tree32%
Newspaper16%
Hair dryer10%
Leather conditioner16%
Leather shoe professional26%
Methods for Removing Creases From Leather Shoes

Helpful Insights On How To Remove Creases From Leather Shoes

Can creases be removed from leather shoes?

Creases can be removed from leather shoes through a variety of easy methods. Using shoe trees, crumpled newspaper or tissue paper, leather conditioner, and a hair dryer and pressure can remove creases. Shoe trees can be used to store leather shoes properly and prevent creases.

How do you get wrinkles out of leather shoes without heat?

Creases can be removed from leather shoes with the use of shoe trees, crumpled newspaper, and leather conditioner. Application of leather conditioner on creases and a little pressure from the fingers can remove creases, especially with shoe trees in place. No heat required!

How do you get wrinkles out of shoes without an iron?

Wrinkles can be removed from leather shoes with shoe trees for proper storage. One can even apply leather conditioner and smooth out wrinkles by hand rather than using an iron. If a shoe tree is unavailable, stuff the leather shoes with newspaper to smooth out wrinkles and store them to prevent bending and wrinkles while not in use.

Are creases in leather shoes normal?

Creases in leather shoes are to be expected because of their flexibility and where the foot bends when we walk. These can usually be removed with a shoe tree and leather conditioner among other easy methods. Creases in leather shoes can also be prevented with shoe trees or crumpled newspapers while the shoes are not worn.

Key Takeaways

  1. Creases in leather shoes can be removed with shoe trees, newspaper, heat and pressure, and leather conditioner.
  2. Storing leather shoes with shoe trees or some crumpled newspaper can prevent creases.
  3. Removing creases from leather shoes improves durability, lifespan, and comfortable fit.

In Closing

Creases are almost inevitable in leather shoes; however, they can usually be easily removed. Hopefully, these tips will help you remove creases and wrinkles and keep those leather shoes looking and feeling great. 

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