Guide to Shoe Care
Educating the consumer in shoe care is beneficial to both the consumer and retailer. It profits the customer because appearance retention is enhanced, and the retailer benefits because the likelihood of complaints that are caused through neglect rather than inherent product defects are reduced.
A. Leather
Leather shoes need regular cleaning using shoe creams and polishes that are available in a large range of colours. A good match is normally available for most colours, if in any doubt a neutral shade should be adopted.
- Surface mud and dust should be wiped away using a damp cloth. Stubborn stains or marks can be treated with a stain remover. Allow the shoes to dry completely.
- Apply cream or polish using a soft cloth or brush paying special attention to the welt and stitching where the upper meets the sole. Caution is also required in selection of the cream. Ideally only soft leathers should be cleaned with silicone wax. Wax polish should only be applied to wax finished leather.
- When the polish has dried, the surface should be buffed to restore the shiny surface.
- If regularly worn in wet or snowy weather, it may be beneficial to apply a waterproofing spray or protective wax to help protect both the shoe and the wearer.
- Leather should never be polished while it is wet. The correct procedure is to stuff them with newspaper: this both absorbs water and helps maintain ideal shape. Neither should extreme heat be adopted as this can result in shrinkage and hardening of the leather through the loss of oils.
B. Suede
- Brush frequently using a soft brush or rubber suede brush, this prevents dust and grit gathering in the nap of the suede. If not removed regularly this can mix with rain when wetted forming a scum, which is difficult to remove, spoiling the appearance.
- Shampooing the suede occasionally will help maintain the appearance, lighter shades need more regular treatment.
- Use of liquid suede dressing assists in restoring an even colour.
- Water and salt marks can be removed using stain removers.
- When the surface appearance is damaged, appearing either matt or shiny, it can be restored by gentle application of fine grain sandpaper. However once the nap has been removed,
it can not be restored.
C. White Shoes
White shoe dressings are available in many forms. Some are specific to canvas and buckskin, but many can be used to restore the whiteness of all white products. White polishes are available for covering scuff damage.
C. Brushed Pigskin
A neutral suede dressing is recommended for brushed pigskin. A suede-cleaning block is particularly adept at removing marks especially of lighter shades. Some cleaning products can darken the colour, therefore products should be tested on a small invisible area to check any discolouration before full application.
D. Nubuck
The nap of nubuck leather is particularly delicate and should only be cleaned with special cleaners formulated for this purpose and the nap raised with a fine grade abrasive paper.
E. Fabrics
Canvas and fabric shoes can be cleaned using appropriate cleaners.
- Pack the shoe with paper or a shoetree to maintain the shape.
- Spread the liquid cleaner and work to a lather using a wet sponge.
- Allow the shoes to dry naturally, do not force dry.
Some shoes are machine washable. Check the label instruction to determine the correct cycle, normally low agitation and temperature are indicated, and follow.