Caring for Your Shoes & Handbags
Recommended Shoe Maintenance A little maintenance will help keep your shoes looking their best.
- Replace heels regularly, before they are completely worn out or missing. Always use a professional shoe repair service for this work.
- Use cedar shoe trees in your shoes while storing. Cedar trees naturally absorb odor and moisture and preserve the shape of the shoe.
Caring for Leather Leather is a natural material and will last many years with proper care. A little effort goes a long way, and these simple steps will help prolong the life of your new shoes or bag.
- Keep the Dust Off
The natural creases in leather allow dust particles to settle in and gradually scrape away at the finish. Some shoe and bag manufacturers provide a cloth storage bag with your purchase. When you aren't wearing your shoes or using your bag, store it in the cloth bag where dust cannot collect. Take a moment to brush away dust buildup with any soft cloth.
- Remove the Spots
It's always a good idea to test an inconspicuous spot first when attempting spot removal.
- A pencil eraser will remove most spots.
- If an eraser doesn't work, try a 1:1 mix of water and vinegar.
- Hair spray works to lessen or remove ink spots and pen marks. Spray a paper towel first--don't spray your shoe or bag directly.
- Spray-on spot removers can be used on oil and grease stains.
- Condition the Leather
Leather conditioning helps to restore the natural oils that were lost during tanning. Dryer climates may need to condition more frequently than humid climates, and different leathers will absorb conditioners differently, so start with a small amount and don't go too far.
- Polish
Shoe polish wards off dirt and dust and helps prevent it from damaging the finish of your shoe or bag. Polish also helps keep moisture out should you get caught in the rain, and helps prevent the leather from drying out and cracking. Test an area with polish before applying all over, using a color that matches the color of the leather. Allow the polish to dry fully, then shine, buff, or brush it.
- Let Them Dry Out
If your bag or shoes get wet, allow them to dry naturally. Let them dry slowly, away from heat sources that may crack the leather. For shoes, stuff the toes tightly with newspaper to help retain the original shape while drying.
Special Kinds of Leathers
Nubuck The softest leather with an almost silky feel. It can be cleaned with a brush.
Oiled Nubuck It has the same softness as nubuck, with more oils tanned into the finish. A stiff brush will remove dirt.
Smooth or Napa Leather Very soft leather with a rich, lustrous finish. Marks can be removed with a soft cotton cloth and cream polish in the same tone as the leather.
Oiled or Distressed Leather A moisture-resistant leather that has been oiled heavily during the tanning process. Scuff marks and surface scratches can be lessened by rubbing them away with your fingers.
Suede We recommend spraying your suede shoes with a non-silicone protectant before wearing. Dirt and dust can be removed with a nylon brush and suede cleaner, brushing in a circular motion.
Alligator, Snake, or Lizard Skins The texture of these will be dryer and require more conditioning than cowhide. Use thinner coats of conditioner more frequently and be sure to keep the leather free of dust.
Ostrich Keep free of dust and brush more frequently than any other leathers. We recommend using a neutral polish and a light leather cleaner.
