Proper care of leather shoes extends their life and keeps them in good condition. Regular cleaning, care, and protection help maintain the features, appearance, and comfort of your shoes. This way, you can enjoy your high-quality leather footwear for a long time.
Basic instructions for good basic care, s'il te plaît:
1. Cleaning
Clean your footwear regularly, especially if they are dirty or wet. Use a soft brush and damp cloth to remove dirt and mud.
If dried dirt has stuck to the footwear, first brush it properly with a suitable shoe brush (Note! remember to carefully go through the seams and other edges of the metal parts with a smaller brush), in extremely dirty cases you can use a cleaning agent intended for leather footwear. > Always follow the manufacturer's special instructions.
2. Drying
Dry the footwear slowly at room temperature. Do not use strong heat such as radiators, direct sunlight or open fire when drying footwear, as this can dry out and damage the leather. As the Finnish old folk advises: "Where butter melts, so will the leather burn."
3. Polishing and protection
Protective creams or waxes intended for leather can be applied to leather footwear. Always check the suitability of the substance for the footwear being serviced. Appropriate cream/wax helps maintain the softness of the leather and protects it from moisture. > If necessary, polish and wipe the excess care product from the footwear, e.g. with a dry cloth, to maintain the softness of the leather and help the surface of the footwear to stay clean and to prevent dirt and impurities from sticking to the tackieness of the excess care product.
4. Inspect and repair
Check your footwear regularly for any damage: dents, loose seams or wear.
Fix small defects early, before they get worse and require bigger repairs.
5. Storage
Store leather footwear in a cool/even temperature and dry place, preferably in an airy cupboard or in a box/cloth bag intended for shoes. Avoid humid conditions and extreme temperatures. > If necessary, you can use a shaping support to store your footwear, which helps keep their shape.
6. Shoelaces, soles and insoles
Replace the shoelaces if the original ones are worn or broken.
Check the soles and the gluing of the sole of the shoe if necessary, as worn soles can affect grip and stability. The life of footwear includes changing the insole whenever necessary. The shoe's midsole may die/crumble over (...durin a looonger) time, in which case it is worth consulting a professional knowledgeable shoemaker to see if resoleing is possible.
These instructions will help you keep your leather shoes in good condition and extend their life. Remember that leather footwear may require a little more care and maintenance than shoes made of synthetic materials, but the effort is worth it when you enjoy quality and comfortable hiking footwear.
Adventorous miles / kilometers for everyone!