How to Care for Your Joni Sandals: Leather Care & Polishing Guide

Your favorite shoes deserve a little TLC! Whether you've just received your first pair of Joni Sandals or have been wearing yours on repeat, looking after the leather is one of the simplest ways to keep them looking beautiful.

Our bestselling Joni Sandals are handcrafted in Portugal using high-quality leather. While they're designed to be worn and enjoyed, a little regular maintenance can make a big difference.

In this guide, I'm sharing my favorite shoe care products, how to polish your Joni Sandals, and how to improve the appearance of everyday scratches and scuffs.

Why I Recommend Polishing Your Shoes Before Their First Wear

One of my biggest shoe care recommendations is to polish your leather shoes before you even wear them!

A good-quality shoe cream helps maintain the leather's suppleness, refresh its color and leave a light protective layer on the surface.

I also like to think of pigmented shoe cream as makeup for leather. Just as concealer helps disguise imperfections, a color-matched shoe cream can help mask superficial scratches, scuffs and areas where the color has faded.

Already worn your Jonis without polishing them? Don't worry! You can start caring for them at any time.

My Recommended Shoe Care Products for Joni Sandals

Having worked in footwear design and development for 10+ years, I've tried plenty of shoe care products. Personally, Saphir is one of my favorite brands for looking after leather shoes.

However, not all leathers are created equal. Different leather types and finishes require different products, and using the wrong one can alter the color, texture or shine.

For our smooth, slightly glossy leathers, I recommend a suitable color-matched shoe cream to help maintain their appearance and disguise minor scuffs.

Recommended Products & Colors

Joni, Espresso

Joni, Black

These color recommendations should be tested against the specific leather finish before use.

Joni, Cherry

Product and color recommendation coming soon.

Joni, Python

This printed leather requires a different approach. Avoid applying pigmented shoe cream unless its compatibility with the finish has been confirmed.

Other Useful Tools

  • Soft cotton cloth: Perfect for applying shoe cream. An old, clean cotton T-shirt works beautifully!

  • Soft horsehair shoe brush: For buffing the leather and bringing out its shine.

  • Clean microfiber cloth: For removing everyday dust and surface dirt.

How to Polish Your Joni Sandals

Step 1: Remove Surface Dirt

Before applying any product, gently brush or wipe the leather with a clean, dry cloth to remove dust and surface dirt. Never apply shoe cream over grit or debris, as rubbing could scratch the finish.

Step 2: Apply a Small Amount of Shoe Cream

Using a soft cloth, apply a small amount of your chosen shoe cream to the leather uppers, working gently in small circular motions.

You can also apply it to the leather ankle straps and accessible leather-covered edges.

I would avoid the footbed and any surfaces that come into direct contact with your feet, as residual polish may transfer onto your skin.

Step 3: Allow the Cream to Dry

Leave the cream to dry for a few minutes, or according to the product instructions.

Remember, a little goes a long way! Applying too much product can leave unwanted residue.

Step 4: Buff to Restore the Shine

Using a soft horsehair brush, gently buff the leather until you've achieved your desired shine.

Finish with a clean cloth to remove any remaining residue.

And that's it!

A Few Final Shoe Care Tips

Avoid using harsh household cleaners, excessive water or abrasive sponges on your leather sandals.

Always test a new shoe care product on a small, inconspicuous area first, especially when working with colored, printed or specially finished leathers.

Store your sandals somewhere cool and dry, away from prolonged direct sunlight, and allow them to dry naturally if they become damp.

Most importantly, wear and enjoy your shoes! With a little care and attention, your favorite Jonis can continue looking beautiful through many more occasions.

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