From Cynthia Nellis,
Your Guide to Women's Fashion.
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You've found the shoes of your dreams (maybe even a tight, tall pair of leather boots!) and brought them home. You may know fashion, but may be clueless about the best way to care for your shoes. Here are some tips:

• Use shoe trees between wearings to help shoes retain their shape.
• Let shoes rest on the trees at least 12 hours between wearing.
• Clean off dirt after every wear with a soft brush or rag.
• Always use a shoehorn for putting on your shoes.
• Stop new suedes from "crocking" (rubbing off on clothes) by rubbing vigorously with a towel.
• Exotic skins need extra care -- use special cleaners and conditioners.
• Use water and stain repellant on suede and nubuck shoes before you wear them. When water stops beading up, respray.

Polishing smooth leather in a nutshell

1. Clean the shoes with a leather cleaner to get the grime off the top.
2. Condition the leather to soften. Use a cream a shade lighter than the shoe to cover scratches.
3. Use paste, wax or cream polish to shine your shoes.
4. Weatherproof your shoes.