How to Prevent Creases on Leather Shoes

There’s nothing like the first day of school: shiny shoes, a crisp uniform and your kid looking like a catalogue model. Two weeks later, those leather shoes appear to have endured three playground battles. The neat shine? Gone. Are there any creases across the toes? It is front and centre.

Here’s the bad news: all leaThe shoes crease, regardless of whether they were expensive, cheap, or given as a gift. gods is irrelevant. But the good news? You can stop school shoes from creasing so badly and keep them looking smart way longer. Think of this as a parenting hack that saves you money and morning stress.

How to Prevent Creases on Leather Shoes

I am starting a new term and need new shoes. They're shiny, polished and perfect. What happened two weeks later? They look like your kid wore them in a rugby match. There are creases across the toes, floppy leather and other signs of wear.

Yes, leather always creases — but you can stop it from looking that awful. Here’s the funny, real-parent guide to keeping school shoes neat.

Start with the right fit.

What's the fastest way to ruin leather shoes? Buying them too big. We’ve all done it — “They’ll grow into them!” — but oversized shoes just bend in weird places. Before you know it, deep lines set in across the toes. Right size = less creasing.

And while we’re here: laces matter too. If shoes are flopping around like flip-flops, creases multiply. Teach your child to tie them snug (not circulation-stopping tight, just firm). Proper lacing keeps feet in place, which means fewer creases and smoother-looking school shoes.

Use Shoe Trees

After a long day of football at lunch and playground chaos, school shoes come home sweaty, damp and looking like they need therapy. This is where cedar shoe trees swoop in like superheroes.

Pop a cedar shoe tree in as soon as the shoes come off and it will soak up the sweat, hold the leather in shape and stop creases from turning permanent. The bonus? Cedar wood smells amazing — so instead of hallway funk, you get a relaxing forest vibe. You can read more about this hack in The Simple Cedar Trick That Saved My Kid’s School Shoes.

Personally, I swear by the Collonil Forma Wooden Shoe Tree. It's real cedar, fits perfectly in kids’ school shoes and honestly feels like the cheapest way to prevent leather shoes from creasing. Leave it overnight and by morning, those shoes look neat, smell fresh and are ready for round two.

Rotate Shoes

Yes, I know — buying two pairs of school shoes feels like overkill. But hear me out: when your child wears the same pair every single day, the leather never gets a break. It stays damp, bends in the same spots and creases faster.

Rotating shoes gives each pair a chance to breathe and recover its shape. Think of it as a spa day for leather — one pair gets stomped on during PE, the other gets to chill and dry out. The result? School shoes last longer, wrinkle less and save you money in the long run.

And to avoid mix-ups at school, slap on Dasco Kids Shoe Labels. There's nothing worse than spending weeks crease-proofing shoes, only to have your child come home wearing someone else's.

Why do shoes crease anyway?

Here’s the bad news: even if you fit right, lace properly and use cedar every day, some creasing is inevitable. Why? This is because leather is made of skin and the skin bends easily. Softer calfskin creases more, while tough full-grain resists better. And don’t get me started on shell cordovan—basically crease-proof, but it costs more than your weekly food shop.

It also depends on the part of the hide used. Leather from the belly or neck is softer and wrinkles more; leather from the back is tougher and holds up better. Most school shoes use a mix, so creasing is just part of the deal. Add in bad habits like tossing damp shoes in the PE bag of doom and you’ve got a recipe for deep creases and stiff leather.

Quick Fixes for Creases

Sometimes you just want the shoes to look decent for picture day or a family event. That’s when you can try a couple of temporary tricks—think of it as “shoe Botox”.

One option is a mix of water and rubbing alcohol, gently massaged into the crease, then finished off with a shoe tree overnight. It relaxes the leather fibers— just enough to smooth them out. Another is the heat method: a hairdryer or warm iron with a damp cloth. It works, but it’s risky — too much heat and you’ve cooked the shoes instead of fixing them.

These quick fixes reduce creases temporarily, but as soon as your kid goes back to football at lunch, those lines will come back. And honestly, that’s normal. If scratches and scrapes are more of a concern, check Fix Scuffed School Shoes Fast for a quick cosmetic repair guide.

Conclusion

Creases are part of leather life, but they shouldn't make your child's shoes look shabby before term ends. With the right size, snug laces, daily use of cedar shoe trees and shoe rotation, you can keep those school shoes looking neat and lasting much longer.

If I had to pick one must-have, it’s definitely cedar. The Collonil Forma Wooden Shoe Tree has saved my kid’s shoes more times than I can count. But if you want to be extra prepared, the Dasco Kids Back to School Shoe Care Kit is also a lifesaver — a polish, sponge, spare laces and labels all in one box. Between cedar and a proper kit, you'll have everything you need to fight creases, cover scuffs and keep your school shoes looking smarter for longer.

Children will continue to drag their feet, kick kerbs and jump in puddles. But thanks to a few smart tricks, their shoes won’t look like survivors of a zombie apocalypse

FAQ: Preventing Creases in School Shoes

Do leather shoes always crease?
Yes. All leather shoes crease because the material bends with your child’s foot. The trick is reducing how deep and noticeable those creases become with the right care.

What’s the easiest way to stop school shoes from creasing?
Please ensure you select the correct size, tie the laces appropriately and use cedar shoe trees each day. These three simple habits make the biggest difference.

Do shoe trees really work for kids’ shoes?
Absolutely. Cedar shoe trees absorb sweat, hold the shape and prevent creases from setting in. They’re the cheapest long-term shoe hack for parents.

Is it possible to address existing creases?
You can soften them temporarily with a water and alcohol mix or gentle heat. But the best approach is prevention — daily cedar + rotation.

Is it worth buying a shoe care kit?
Yes. A kit like the Dasco Kids Back to School Shoe Care Kit is perfect for quick fixes: polish for scuffs, a sponge for shine and spare laces. It keeps shoes neat between deeper care routines.