USAGE & CARE

Suede Shoes

Usage

• Protect Your Suede: Your shoes come pre-treated. Regularly apply suede protector from 15-20 cm away.
• Rain Alert: Avoid wearing in rain or snow. Moisture can damage the suede.

Care

• Clean Gently: Use a soft brush to remove dirt. For stubborn stains, see a professional cleaner. Clean rubber soles with acetone or nail polish remover—test on a small spot first.
• Shoe Trees: Cedar wood shoe trees absorb moisture and maintain shape.
• De-fuzzing: If they get “hairy,” lightly run a flame over the fuzz to clean it up.
• No Machine Wash: Never machine wash suede shoes. Always clean by hand.

Leather Shoes

Usage

• Keep It Polished: Regularly polish and condition your leather shoes to maintain their look. Avoid contact with alcohol-based products like hand sanitizer to prevent discoloration.
• Avoid Wet Conditions: Do not wear in wet conditions. Water can damage leather and the hand-dyed patina. Adding a rubber sole provides extra protection but doesn't make them weatherproof.

Care

• Brush & Wipe: Clean with a horsehair brush or a soft cloth. For heavy stains, use a gentle leather cleaner.
• Condition Regularly: After cleaning, condition your leather shoes to keep them soft and prevent cracks.
• Shoe Trees: Cedar wood shoe trees keep your shoes dry and in shape.
• No Machine Wash: Never machine wash leather shoes. Always clean by hand.

Important Tips

1. Wear Ready: Our shoes are ready to wear, but avoid bad weather to keep them looking their best. Rain or salt can distort the hand-dyed patina, and wet leather soles wear out faster on abrasive surfaces like concrete. Adding a rubber sole helps but doesn’t make them weatherproof.
2. Watch for Alcohol: Be cautious around alcohol-based products like hand sanitizer. Concentrated alcohol can strip dye from the leather within seconds, causing severe discoloration. If this happens, the entire shoe will need to be stripped and dyed again.
3. Use Shoe Trees: Properly fitting shoe trees are crucial. Feet produce around 8 ounces of sweat daily, and poplar shoe trees absorb this moisture, protecting the leather from breaking down. They also maintain the original shape, preventing curling and deep creases. Rotate your shoes to give them time to dry and increase their lifespan.
4. Clean Smart: Cleaning prevents dirt from being ground into the leather. Use a horsehair brush or microfiber cloth for routine cleaning. For heavy stains like wine or oil, use a leather cleaner. Avoid strong cleaners that could strip the color from the hand-dyed patina. Consult a local repair expert if unsure about cleaning products.
5. Condition Well: After cleaning, condition the leather with shoe cream to add healthy oils, preventing it from drying and cracking. Apply a dime-size amount of shoe cream with a microfiber cloth in small circular strokes. Use a pig hair brush to work the cream deeper into the pores.
6. Protect & Shine: Apply a thin layer of polish with a microfiber cloth in small circular motions to protect the leather. Buff to a mild shine with a clean cloth. Use a pig hair brush to work the polish deeper into the pores.
7. High Shine (Optional): For a higher shine, apply additional layers of polish. After each layer, add a few drops of purified water and rapidly brush with a horsehair brush. The friction creates a better shine. Finish with a fresh microfiber cloth for a final polish.
8. Rotate Your Shoes: Give your shoes time to dry and maintain their shape by rotating them regularly.