Shoe Care

We love shoes! To keep yours looking beautiful, you need to give them the right kind of care, so you'll be able to enjoy them for a long time to come. It's sustainable, too: high-quality shoes are designed to last for more than one season. The right care will depend on the material — leather has different requirements to suede, patent leather or fabric. With the right tools and products, you'll be able to keep all your shoes in tip-top shape. We've outlined the basics of shoe care for you here. Here's an overview of all the footwear available at Afound.

Before wearing them for the first time

You might be keen to put on your new shoes right away, but think about waterproofing them first. A waterproofing material coats the material like a protective layer and stops moisture getting in. This preserves the colour and keeps the leather supple. Spray your shoes thoroughly in a well-aired room, then leave them to dry. That's it – they're ready for their first outing! 

Leather

Leather boasts a fine sheen, which you can maintain with regular care. Applying shoe polish in the right colour can even make scratches disappear. Whenever the leather has been exposed to moisture, it's time to clean them. 

• Cleaning: remove dust and dirt with a soft brush. You can get stains out of the leather with a cleaning foam.
• Refreshing the colour: apply shoe polish to the clean leather. You can get care products consisting of an applicator and a shoe cream, which you apply with a soft cloth. Massage it into the shoe with circular movements.
• Polishing: use a soft brush or a cotton cloth to restore the shoe's shine: the more vigorously you polish, the better the leather will look.

Suede and nubuck

These require products that won't stick to their fibres. Here's how to treat them:

• Dirt and stains: brush the suede with a coarse brush. This works best once any dust or mud has dried. A suede eraser works best for finer nubuck and suede.
• Cleaning: over time, dust gets trapped in the fibres and the shoe takes on a greyish tinge. You can get rid of this dirt with a shoe lotion, dabbed onto the entire shoe with a sponge. You then remove any excess product with a clean cloth.
• Refreshing the colour: there are special applicator sponges designed for this purpose. Dab them evenly all over the shoe, then leave them to work for about 15 minutes before roughening up with a brush.

Fabric

Loafers and trainers with fabric uppers look great, but they can get dirty very quickly. Brushing doesn't always do the trick, either: it's better to wash fabric by hand. 

• Preparation: remove the laces and any insoles. Brush off dry mud with a firm-bristled brush.
• Cleaning: put some lukewarm water and a little detergent in a bowl. Dip a cloth into it and work it into the shoe in a circular motion. Make sure you wash the entire shoe, so that you don't get any tide marks.
• Waterproofing: let your shoes dry properly first. Stuffing them with newspaper speeds up the process. Once they're dry, apply the waterproofing product and leave them to dry again. 

Order shoe care products at the same time

You should start caring for your shoes even before you first wear them, so it's a good idea to buy the necessary care products when you buy a new pair. Your shoe care kit at home should include:

• shoe trees
• a coarse brush
• a soft polishing brush
• colour and leather care products
• a waterproofing spray

With this basic kit, you'll be enjoying your favourite shoes for a long time to come. 

Check out our deals on high-quality shoe care products and tools!

FAQs

Do I need different products for different materials?

You can use the same products for some of the steps we've mentioned, but you'll need special products for others. A single waterproofing spray can be used on all materials, for instance. There are also stain-removing foams and lotions that work on fabric and velour or nubuck leather. Certain materials may have highly specific care needs, however. When it comes to colour care, in particular, it's best to use a product tailored to the exact material. 

How often should I waterproof my shoes?

Waterproofing is vital for shoes made of any material, with the exception of wellies. It prevents moisture from getting in, so it's important to redo the waterproofing at regular intervals, and:

• before wearing them for the first time,
• any time the shoe has been exposed to moisture,
• after every clean.

And remember to let your shoes dry out properly before and after you apply the waterproofing product!

What are shoe trees for?

When you walk, your shoes' material always bends in the same place. Over time, this area develops deep creases where dirt likes to gather. This looks unsightly and makes your shoes much more difficult to clean. Shoe trees get around this problem. The provide inner padding for the shoe and get it back to its original shape. Shoe trees are recommended for all shoes, but especially boots, pumps and loafers made of suede or patent, vegan or smooth leather. These materials are particularly prone to creasing.