How to Make Dark Brown Shoes Lighter

The dark brown shoes that you bought years ago may have seemed perfectly chic at the time, but now you might realise the dark leather looks drab and gloomy. While dark brown leather may look dramatic at times, lighter shades of brown often complement other colours and outfits more readily. Luckily, you don't need to spray your shoes with loads of dye to change the colour, but can use the powers of the sun to assist in lightening them.

Add a quarter sized amount of leather conditioner to each shoe. Rub the leather conditioner in thoroughly with a soft, lint-free cloth.

Place the shoes in an area where they will receive direct sunlight. You may have to shift them throughout the day as the sun moves. Leave the shoes there all day long.

The dark brown shoes that you bought years ago may have seemed perfectly chic at the time, but now you might realise the dark leather looks drab and gloomy.
Place the shoes in an area where they will receive direct sunlight.

Rub the shoes with a quarter sized amount of leather conditioner and a soft cloth. The sun can make leather brittle, so it's important to constantly moisturise the shoes with conditioner. Continue this entire process for at least three days. It will take three days to see a noticeable change.

1 "Cleaning Plain & Simple"; Donna Smallin; 2006
2 Apartment Therapy: Good Questions

Lane Cummings is originally from New York City. She attended the High School of Performing Arts in dance before receiving her Bachelor of Arts in literature and her Master of Arts in Russian literature at the University of Chicago. She has lived in St. Petersburg, Russia, where she lectured and studied Russian. She began writing professionally in 2004 for the "St. Petersburg Times."