Snaza
The Snaza Journal

Shoes, leather and jewelry

Clean suede and white sneakers, polish and lace leather shoes, care for a leather jacket and keep silver from tarnishing.

13 guides

Brown leather oxford shoes with wooden trees sit beside a brush, cotton cloth, and slim silver bracelet

Leather, suede and silver all reward a little regular care. These guides explain how to clean suede and white sneakers, polish and lace leather shoes, stretch a pair that pinches, look after a leather jacket and keep jewelry bright.

Every method starts with the gentlest option and explains when a cobbler, jeweler or leather specialist is the better choice.

Guides

  1. Hands clean a yellow gold solitaire ring with a white toothbrush above a glass bowl of soapy water

    Shoes and jewelry

    How to clean a diamond ring at home

    Clean a diamond ring at home with warm water, mild dish soap and a soft toothbrush. What to avoid, when to see a jeweler, and how to keep the sparkle longer.

  2. A navy cap, gray fedora and straw hat sit with a brush, soapy water and folded cloth on pale linen.

    Shoes and jewelry

    How to clean a hat of any kind

    How to clean a hat without ruining its shape: caps, felt fedoras, straw hats and beanies, plus sweat stains, brims, drying and what never to put in a machine.

  3. A man gently wipes the sleeve of a dark brown leather jacket hanging above a stool with a bowl of water.

    Shoes and jewelry

    How to clean a leather jacket at home

    How to clean a leather jacket safely: routine wiping, gentle spot cleaning, when and how to use leather conditioner, what never to do, and when to call a specialist.

  4. A hand scrubs an unlaced canvas sneaker beside its pair, soapy water and a folded cloth on a wooden bench.

    Shoes and jewelry

    How to clean canvas shoes by hand or machine

    How to clean canvas shoes by hand, when a washing machine is safe, how to keep white canvas from yellowing, and how to dry them so they keep their shape.

  5. A hand wipes brown leather oxford shoes with shoe trees beside removed laces, soapy water and a brush.

    Shoes and jewelry

    How to clean leather shoes at home

    How to clean leather shoes step by step: brush, wipe with mild soap, lift salt stains with vinegar, clean the inside, dry them safely and condition afterward.

  6. A hand gently wipes a straight strand of white pearls on a folded towel beside a glass bowl of water.

    Shoes and jewelry

    How to clean pearls safely at home

    How to clean pearls without harming the luster: a wipe after wearing, a gentle soapy clean, drying a strand flat, and the cleaners that can ruin pearls.

  7. Two hands polish a tarnished silver chain beside soapy water a soft toothbrush and an engraved silver ring.

    Shoes and jewelry

    How to clean silver jewelry at home, gently

    How to clean silver jewelry at home, gentlest method first, with care for pearls, stones and plated pieces, a short gold section, and simple ways to prevent tarnish.

  8. A man brushes the toe of a tan suede chukka boot beside its mate wooden shoe trees and a suede eraser.

    Shoes and jewelry

    How to clean suede shoes without flattening the nap

    Clean suede shoes at home with a brush, a suede eraser and a little patience, and learn how to handle water stains, oil marks and salt lines without soaking them.

  9. Clean and soiled white leather sneakers sit with removed laces a brush soapy water and a folded cloth.

    Shoes and jewelry

    How to clean white sneakers by material

    How to clean white sneakers at home: a gentle method for leather, canvas and mesh, what to do about soles, laces and yellowing, and why the washer is a last resort.

  10. A black cap toe oxford with straight bar lacing sits beside a white canvas sneaker with criss cross lacing.

    Shoes and jewelry

    How to lace shoes: straight bar, criss cross and more

    How to lace shoes for the job: criss cross for sneakers, straight bar lacing for dress shoes, a heel lock against slipping, and a bow knot that stays tied.

  11. A cloth wrapped hand touches wax beside unlaced brown oxfords and a brush on blank newsprint

    Shoes and jewelry

    How to polish shoes at home, step by step

    How to polish leather shoes at home: clean and condition first, use cream for color and wax for shine, buff properly, and keep the shape with shoe trees.

  12. A wooden two way stretcher sits partly inserted in a brown derby shoe on a worn workbench

    Shoes and jewelry

    How to stretch shoes that feel too tight

    How to stretch shoes that pinch: what leather can and cannot do, using a shoe stretcher and thick socks, the risks of heat and ice, and when to see a cobbler.

  13. Shoes and jewelry

    How to style Mary Janes with jeans, skirts and socks

    How to style Mary Janes, flat, heeled or chunky platform, with jeans, socks, skirts and work trousers, plus which colors and hem lengths make them look current.