Footwear Care.
A pair made once lasts a decade — if cared for. Proper habits matter more than expensive products. Here is everything you need to know about leather and suede.
Two minutes, that change everything.
Consistency matters more than products. Four habits worth turning into automatic routines.
Do not wear two days in a row
Leather needs 24 hours to dry from sweat and moisture. Keep 2 pairs to rotate. Both last longer.
Insert immediately after wear
Cedar shoe trees absorb moisture and maintain shape while the leather is warm and pliable. An essential tool.
Wipe off dust in the evening
Soft dry cloth or brush. Daily dust and dirt dry out leather — do not leave overnight.
Never near a radiator
Dry wet shoes at room temperature, stuffed with paper. Heat shrinks and cracks leather.
Leather care — five steps.
From dust to protection. Repeat the full routine monthly, polish whenever you want shine.
Wipe away dust
Remove surface dust and dirt with a soft-bristle brush or dry cotton cloth. Do this before any care steps. Otherwise, you rub dirt deeper into the leather.
Never rub dry mud with force. Let it dry completely, then brush off gently.
Wipe stains away
Clean in circular motions with a damp, not wet, cloth and mild leather soap. Dry immediately with a clean, semi-dry cloth.
Test any product on a hidden spot first — near the heel or under the tongue.
Condition the leather
Rub in a thin layer of colourless leather balm or cream. Leave for 15 minutes to absorb. The balm restores oils stripped by time and water. Leather stays supple and does not crack.
Colourless balm suits all colours. Choose coloured cream only to revive faded colour.
Polish
Buff with a soft flannel using circular motions until the shine appears. Apply a thin layer of shoe wax for a deeper mirror finish on the toe and heel.
Less wax, more buffing. Thick layers shine less than multiple thin, well-polished coats.
Protect
Apply waterproof protector — two thin coats from about 20 cm away. Repeat every few weeks and always before the wet season.
Allow the first layer to dry before the second. Waterproofing spray protects, not shines. Apply it last.
Suede care — dry method.
Suede is cleaned dry. No water, no cream, no wax — only a brush, steam, and proper protector spray.
Brush the nap
Brush suede in one direction with a dedicated brush. This lifts flattened nap and restores an even tone. Suede care equivalent to daily wiping.
Choose a brush with brass or rubber bristles. Hard plastic tears the nap.
Waterproof immediately
Protect a new pair before first wear. Spray suede protector in 2 thin coats. Suede absorbs moisture instantly. Protection matters more than with leather.
Two thin coats protect better than one thick coat and do not darken tone.
Rub out stains
Remove dry marks and scuffs with a suede eraser or clean rubber eraser. Rub back and forth until lifted. Brush through afterwards.
For grease stains, apply cornstarch and leave overnight. It absorbs the oil; brush off afterwards.
Revive with steam
Hold the shoe over steam for several seconds and brush immediately. Steam lifts flattened nap and restores texture.
Light steam only — do not soak. Suede should become damp on top, not soaked.
Never polish
Leather cream, wax, and water washing ruin suede. They mat the nap and leave greasy stains. Suede care is always dry.
Mud must dry completely first. Do not rub wet suede — this pushes the stain deeper.
Storage Between seasons.
Leather is a living material — it needs to breathe. Proper storage preserves shape and colour as much as cleaning.
Cedar shoe trees
Insert to hold shape and absorb moisture. Cedar also neutralises odour — avoid plastic ones.
Dust bags, not boxes
Store in cotton bags. Sealed plastic and airtight boxes trap moisture and cause mould.
Cool, dry, dark place
Keep away from direct sunlight and radiators. Sunlight fades colour; heat dries and misshapes leather.
Before a long pause — nourish the leather
Apply colourless balm before seasonal storage. Leather will not dry out over winter.
When something Things happen.
Quick, tested solutions. If in doubt or damage is deep, message us first.
Dampen the entire surface evenly with a clean damp cloth to blend edges. Allow to dry naturally. Once dry, condition with balm.
Clean with a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar. Wipe dry, leave to dry, and reprotect. Remove salt immediately: it corrodes leather. This method suits smooth leather only, never suede or nubuck.
Rub surface marks with colourless balm and polish. Deep scratches reaching the colour — leave to a professional, do not mask with paint yourself.
Revive shiny, flattened patches with steam and a brush. Rub stubborn spots gently against the grain with a suede eraser.
Add baking soda overnight and insert cedar shoe trees. Shake out and air in the morning. Avoid lingering moisture. Rotation solves the issue completely.
Usually moisture between the insole and sole. Sprinkle talc under the insole. If squeaking persists, bring them in and we will check.
Everything fits in one box.
Ten bottles are not needed. Seven items cover all leather and suede care for years.
Some tasks belong to a cobbler.
Sole replacement, restitching, and deep restoration are done at shoe repair shops. Write or stop by — we will tell you what can still be saved.