How to Repair Peeling Shoes (Faux Leather & Cracked Leather)

You’re all dressed up and ready to head out and then you see it—your shoes are peeling. Don’t worry! There are actually a few simple tricks you can use to fix the problem. No matter the material or the location, most peeling shoes can be repaired. To make it a little easier, we’ve answered a few of the most common questions about what you can do to get your shoes back to their original glory.

Fixing Peeling Leather Shoes

Real leather shoes don't peel, but faux leather shoes do. To fix them, rub the peeled leather with 180-grit sandpaper until the surface is smooth. Fill the cracks with a permanent marker that's a similar color as the surrounding leather. Rub shoe polish over the peeled area and let it dry completely.

Question 1 of 5:

Can you repair real leather shoes if they’re peeling?

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Real leather doesn’t peel, but you can fix cracked leather shoes. Real leather doesn’t peel, chip, or flake, so if your shoes are peeling, it’s likely they’re actually made of faux leather.^{[1]XResearch source} Real leather can dry out and crack, though, and you can easily repair that. Clean the surface with a shoe cleaner and stuff your shoes with newspaper or rags so they hold their shape. Rub mink oil over the surface to rehydrate the leather. Then, apply a leather filler with a pallet knife, smooth it over the cracks, and allow it to dry for 6 hours.^{[2]XResearch source}
- You can follow up with fine sandpaper, such as 220-grit sandpaper, to gently buff the leather filler smooth if you like.

Question 2 of 5:

How do you fix peeling faux or patent leather?

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Start by sanding off all of the peeling bits of faux leather with 180-grit sandpaper so you’re left with a smooth surface. Fill in the cracks with a permanent marker that closely matches the color of your shoes. Then rub shoe polish that matches the color of your shoes over the peeling area and let it dry.^{[3]XResearch source}

Question 3 of 5:

How do you fix peeling shoe soles?

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Shoe glue is a type of glue known ad E6000, which is commonly used for crafts and for, well, repairing shoes! Peel back the sole to expose as much of the surface as you can and spread a thin layer of the glue all over the inside of the sole. Put your hand in the shoe and push against the sole to form a tight seal. Then, clamp the shoe and sole together with a spring clamp and leave it to dry for a full day before you wear them.^{[4]XResearch source}

Question 4 of 5:

Can the inside lining of shoes be repaired?

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Cut a strip of duct tape and attach it sticky-side down over the peeling area. Smooth out the surface of the tape and your lining should stay held down until the tape wears out.^{[5]XResearch source}
2
Cut a denim patch and attach it with fabric glue to replace the lining. If the fabric on the inside part of the heel is flaking or coming loose, you can replace it with a patch. Cut a patch of fabric from some denim or cloth. Hold the patch against the inside of the heel and mark the edges with a marker. Cut the patch to fit neatly inside your shoe with a pair of scissors. Then, apply fabric glue to the inside of your shoe and place the patch on top. Smooth out the surface and allow the glue to fully dry before you wear the shoe.^{[6]XResearch source}
- Check the packaging on the glue for specific drying times.

Question 5 of 5:

How do I stop my shoes from peeling?

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1
Place your shoes on a shoe tree when you aren’t wearing them. A shoe tree is a wooden stand that’s designed to hold your shoes in a way that helps prevent creases and cracks from forming. Instead of storing your shoes on the floor or in a closet, slide them onto a shoe tree until you’re ready to wear them.^{[7]XResearch source}
- If you have pets, keep your shoes out of reach!
2
Store your shoes away from light and heat. Heat and light can warp your shoes and over time can cause them to peel. Keep them stored in a location away from direct sunlight or a heat source. Somewhere like your closet or a corner in your room should work fine.^{[8]XResearch source}
- Allow your shoes to fully dry before you store them. The moisture can cause them to crack.
3
Polish and clean your shoes regularly. Take care of your shoes by cleaning any dirt or grime that collects on the surface. Use a shoe cleaner and gently wipe the surface with a clean cloth. At least once a month, polish up your shoes with quality shoe polishing items such as wax polish, cream polish, or leather conditioner for leather shoes.^{[9]XResearch source}
- Choose a shoe polish that matches the color of your shoes.

Expert Q&A

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Question
How do you stop leather from cracking?
Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Marc Sigal is a Shoe Care Specialist based in Los Angeles. Marc has over 19 years of experience working in the world of e-commerce, with extensive experience with the care of luxury goods. He is currently the VP of Strategic Partnerships at Blutag, an e-commerce platform helping consumers find products. Prior to Blutag, he founded ButlerBox, a dry cleaning and shoe care service based in Los Angeles, California. ButlerBox reinvented amenity services by placing custom-designed, wrinkle-resistant lockers in luxury apartment buildings, class A office buildings, shopping centers, and other convenient locations. The company got acquired by Rinse.com in 2021. Marc has a BA in Global and International Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Expert Answer
Leather is a finicky material, and if it's not treated correctly, it will start to dry and crack. Conditioning is very important—apply the leather conditioner over the shoe with a soft brush or clean cloth, let it dry, and then brush off any excess conditioner. Just make sure you choose a conditioner that matches the color of the shoe.
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Question
What does leather conditioner do?
Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Marc Sigal is a Shoe Care Specialist based in Los Angeles. Marc has over 19 years of experience working in the world of e-commerce, with extensive experience with the care of luxury goods. He is currently the VP of Strategic Partnerships at Blutag, an e-commerce platform helping consumers find products. Prior to Blutag, he founded ButlerBox, a dry cleaning and shoe care service based in Los Angeles, California. ButlerBox reinvented amenity services by placing custom-designed, wrinkle-resistant lockers in luxury apartment buildings, class A office buildings, shopping centers, and other convenient locations. The company got acquired by Rinse.com in 2021. Marc has a BA in Global and International Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Expert Answer
Leather conditioner is a softening agent. It not only keeps the leather from cracking, but also helps make the leather softer and more pliable, so it helps break the shoes in more easily.
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