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SUEDE CARE
Using the right care products is a must.
Our suede leather is our most fashionable and luxurious leather. Impregnation spray is often the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to the topic of shoe care, and rightly so, however impregnation is only half of the story. Find out the reasons why here:
How do I best care for my suede shoes?
Caring for a shoe always starts with the cleaning process. Special suede brushes are suited to cleaning suede leather. These usually feature one side with a stiff brush (natural bristles partly on the outside and metal bristles on the inside), which can be used to clean dirt, and a soft rubber brush on the other side, which is used to finish off the process. After this, it is time to impregnate the shoes.
Impregnation spray offers the shoes protection from moisture and dirt. This really is crucial for suede, as the porosity of material makes it highly susceptible to absorbing and storing water. Suede is often a popular option due to its beautifully pigmented colours and stains on materials like this are particularly bothersome. In order optimally maintain the suede leather, it is recommended to use a small bottle with an integrated sponge applicator to massage in the product rather than a spray. It is also worth mentioning that impregnating agents settle on the material in such a way that the end of the individual molecular rods bind to the fibres in the leather, allowing the hydrophobic (water-repellent) ends to point outwards, thus protecting the suede shoe from moisture. The breathability of the leather remains unaffected.
Our tip: if you wish to use a spray, we recommend using it in front of the door or on the balcony as they contain aerosols and will otherwise release substances into your home. Since you do not want to dry out your tiles or other flooring at the same time, we recommend placing down newspaper before carrying out the impregnation process. This will not be an issue, of course, if you use the impregnation tool that we recommend, i.e. an impregnating agent with a sponge applicator attached.
As it goes, there is an old wives’ tale that it is best to treat the suede shoes with a powdered substance, so that the shoe is protected from dirt and moisture from the outside. We don’t agree with this. Powder does not offer sufficient protection since it only settles superficially on the surface of the suede and is therefore not firmly rooted in the material. Using powder also dates back to times when current application methods such as aerosols or sponge dispensers were not available.
What can cause damage to suede shoes?
As mentioned earlier, moisture from the outside surroundings poses the biggest risk to your high-quality leather shoes becoming damaged. This is particularly the case for suede shoes which is why it is crucial that you use the correct care product when maintaining them. If you expose the leather pile of your suede shoes to the incorrect product, then it will become permanently damaged. This is why you should never treat them with polish or wax. Firstly, the surface of the suede becomes greasy, smooth and shiny. As a result, the suede shoe loses its distinctive appearance. In addition to this, suede also loses its breathability when treated with polish or wax due to the pores becoming clogged. Something that should be avoided at all costs is contact with salt water. Water marks caused by salt water are difficult to completely remove, even if the shoe has been well impregnated. Do you need an excuse to enjoy walking barefoot on sandy beaches anyway?
What d
o I do after applying my care products?
It is most effective to leave the impregnation agent (either spray or even better, sponge applicator) to work into the leather for a while after treating it. This should not take longer than an hour, generally speaking.
How often do I need to treat my suede shoes?
The impregnation treatment will wear off after a certain period of time due to the bending and movement of the shoes when walking and the creases that result from this, causing the suede to start absorbing water more easily again. This is why it is important to regularly impregnate your shoes. Suede shoe should be treated more often during winter due to the dampness and dirt outdoors and the stress that this causes to the shoe. With this in mind, the shoes can be treated less often in summer. It is also highly dependent on how often the shoes are worn, of course. If your favourite pair of shoes is one of our suede shoes, which you wear all the time, then you should devote much more care and attention to them. Just as you can only maintain friendships by taking the effort to do so, the same goes for your shoes. That way you can guarantee they will be by your side come rain or shine. We recommend caring for your shoes once a month in the winter. It suffices to only do this every three months during summer.
OUR PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YOU
Taking breaks from wearing your shoes
Taking breaks from wearing your leather shoes makes a significant impact in terms of increasing their lifespan. Those who regularly take a break from wearing their shoes benefit from a high standard of shoe hygiene as well as being able to preserve the optimal fit of their shoes for as long as possible.
Taking your shoes on and off properly
You may well believe that you already learned how to take your shoes on and off as a toddler. That is true of course, but we are concerned with doing this in a way that best preserves your high-quality leather shoes.
Cleaning your shoes correctly
Shoe cleaning is an art in itself and a task that fewer and fewer people are unfortunately taking the time to do. This is a shame because shoes are at their best when they are cleaned and maintained well. Not only this, but we also believe that it puts people in good stead and gives off a neat and orderly overall impression to not only take pride in their outer clothing, but also keep their footwear well-maintained. “Smart up top, casual on the bottom” is not a motto that we recommend following for your style inspiration, even with laid-back fashion trends that are popular nowadays.
Shoe care products
The impeccable condition that your shoes arrive in will show signs of wear and tear over time. It is worthwhile using the correct care product for your shoes in order to counteract this.
Shoe brush
A shoe brush is an essential tool for every type of shoe care. It is important to use the correct shoe brush for the respective outer material of the shoe and to preserve the leather rather than unintentionally cause additional wear. Thoroughly caring for your shoes always starts with brushing the shoes and ends with the final polishing.
Shoe polish
Just like our skin, leather also needs regular care in order to stay soft, durable and crease-free. The same goes for our shoes. Those who regularly take the time to polish their shoes provide them with suppleness and elasticity whilst protecting them from moisture.
Impregnating your shoes correctly
Impregnating your shoes – arguably the most well-known way of caring for your own shoes. Find out here exactly how the impregnation process works, what factors are important to consider with this treatment and the shoes which benefit most from this process.
