How to rescue your shoes from mud and grime

SOS, My Shoes Are Covered in Mud!

Watch the full YouTube Video Here

We’ve all had that moment — one wrong step into thick, wet mud, and suddenly your favorite pair of shoes looks ruined. It’s a terrible feeling, but don’t panic. No matter how bad it looks, you can bring them back.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through my personal step-by-step process for reviving even the dirtiest, mud-caked pair of shoes. These are the exact methods (and Saphir Médaille d’Or tools) I used in my video to restore my boots after deliberately plunging them into the worst mud I could find.

Let’s get started.

Step 1: Remove the Laces

1. Remove your laces first. You can’t clean properly with them in place.
2. Hand wash them with mild soap and water, then let them air dry completely.
3. Never re-lace dirty shoes — cleaning around filthy laces just spreads more grime.

Step 2: Knock Off the Excess Dirt

1. Before using any cleaning products, remove as much dried mud as possible.
2. Tap the shoes gently but firmly against a hard surface to shake loose large chunks.
3. Then use a Horsehair Brush by Saphir Beauté du Cuir to brush away what remains. Once most of the mud is off, you’re ready for the deeper cleaning.

Step 3: Insert Shoe Trees

Your shoes are about to get wet, and wet leather can lose its shape fast. Before cleaning, insert a pair of Saphir Beauté du Cuir Cedar Shoe Trees. They help maintain form and absorb excess moisture during drying.

Step 4: Deep Clean with Saddle Soap

For heavy soiling, it’s time for Etalon Noir Saddle Soap by Saphir Beauté du Cuir. While saddle soap is strong (and can strip polish), it’s justified in this “worst case” scenario.

• Slightly dampen a Chamois Cloth (Saphir Médaille d’Or)
• Work up a lather and gently clean your shoe in small circular motions
• Wipe away the residue before it dries on the leather

Be careful and even in your application.

Step 5: Clean the Crevices

Mud often hides in seams and weltlines. Use the Saphir Beauté du Cuir Mud Remover Brush to tackle those tight areas.

If needed, use a soft spray of water to flush out embedded dirt — the pressure helps dislodge particles your brush cannot reach. Once clean, allow the shoes to dry overnight in a ventilated, shaded space (avoid direct heat).

Step 6: Remove Water Stains

Drying can leave faint water rings. Before you condition, these must go.

Use Saphir Médaille d’Or Reno Cleaner applied with a Chamois Cloth Saphir Médaille d’Or to gently lift the marks. Let it fully dry before proceeding.

Step 7: Restore the Leather’s Health

Now that the shoe is clean and dry, it’s time to recondition.

I reach for Renovateur Cream with Mink Oil – Saphir Médaille d’Or. Using the chamois cloth, apply gently across the leather. It deeply hydrates, restores suppleness, and gives a soft glow as the leather absorbs it.

Step 8: Restore Color and Finish

After conditioning, the leather may look a little dull. Now we bring back pigment.

Choose Pommadier Cream 1925 – Saphir Médaille d’Or in the color matching your shoes (Mahogany, Brown, etc.). Apply a thin layer with the chamois cloth, allow to dry, then brush with your horsehair brush to reveal even shine.

Step 9: Optional — Add a Mirror Shine with Wax Polish

For a high-gloss, mirror effect on dressier pairs, finish with Saphir Médaille d’Or Pâte de Luxe Wax Polish. Use small amounts in thin, careful layers (and a bit of water), working toward that glass-like finish.

The Results

The difference is dramatic — what began as a mud-smeared disaster becomes a beautifully restored, deeply nourished pair of shoes.

Don’t ever think a pair is beyond saving. With patience, the right tools, and care, you can bring nearly any shoe back to life.