FAQ Shoe Care
What is leather?
Leather – the material
Leather is a unique natural product that has been used for thousands of years to make high-quality shoes, accessories and upholstery. It is produced by tanning animal hides, a process that makes the skin fibres durable, dimensionally stable and supple at the same time.
Properties of leather
Leather combines a number of advantages that no synthetic material can match in this combination:
- Breathable and temperature-regulating: leather allows air to circulate and absorbs moisture without feeling damp.
- Water-repellent but not waterproof: thanks to its natural fibre structure, leather is largely resistant to moisture but retains its breathability.
- Elastic and dimensionally stable: it adapts to movement and returns to its original shape after wearing.
- Durable: With the right care, leather can last for many years and gains character over time.
Leather as a material
Leather is a demanding but rewarding material for the shoe care industry. It reacts to care products, heat and moisture – and its appearance and lifespan can be significantly influenced by targeted care.
Professional brushes, creams and impregnations are therefore not cosmetics, but part of material preservation.
How is leather made?
Leather production – from raw material to finished product
Leather is one of the oldest and highest quality materials in the world. In modern leather production, animal hides are soaked in soft water to remove dirt and preservatives. Hair and tissue residues are then removed and the hide is prepared for tanning.
During tanning, vegetable or chemical tanning agents are deposited between the fine skin fibres. This process makes the material durable, supple and tear-resistant – the basis for long-lasting leather products.
After tanning, the leather is dyed, greased and dried. Depending on its intended use, this results in different types of leather such as smooth leather, suede (nubuck, velour) or special technical leathers. A final finish gives the material its characteristic surface, appearance and protective effect.
For shoe care, this means that only those who understand the structure and manufacture of leather can maintain it optimally with the right brushes, care products and waterproofing agents.
How do I care for my shoes properly?
Overview of care processes
Regular and proper shoe care is crucial to maintaining the lifespan, appearance and functionality of shoes. Leather and other materials are sensitive to external influences such as dirt, moisture and temperature fluctuations. Only through specific care processes – from cleaning and applying products to polishing – can the material remain supple, breathable and durable. Properly caring for your shoes not only protects them from premature wear and tear, but also preserves their individual character and comfort.
Smooth leather care
Pre-cleaning
Remove the laces. Brush off coarse dirt with a dirt brush (you can also use this to clean the sole and frame). Remove dust with a damp cotton cloth.
Applying the care product
Apply a thin layer of shoe care product with an application brush and massage it in using circular movements. It is advisable to rub the care product into the edges of the soles and the outer surface of the heel using a sole cream brush.
ATTENTION! The care product must now be absorbed into the leather. Ideally, leave the shoes to stand overnight.
Polishing the leather
Polish the leather using a horsehair brush with quick movements and without applying too much pressure. The heat generated during this process gives the shoe polish the ideal consistency and creates a delicate protective film. For the best shine, you can then polish the shoe with a goat hair brush.
Suede leather care
Pre-cleaning
Remove the laces. Brush the shoe with a nylon or brass brush (for suede leather) or with a crepe lamella brush (for nubuck leather).
Cleaning
Use a suitable cleaning agent to clean suede shoes. Rub it in with a suede brush. If the shoes are very dirty, you can also clean them under running water with a suitable cleaning agent and a brush. Then leave the shoes to dry.
CAUTION! Never place leather shoes on the radiator to dry.
Care
After cleaning, apply a care product for suede leather to nourish the leather and refresh the colour.
Impregnation
Impregnate your shoes after cleaning them. This protects the shoe from water and dirt. Finally, roughen up the leather again with the rubber head of the suede brush or with a crepe brush.
TIP! Brush your shoes after each wear to prevent greying.
Textile care
Impregnate
Before wearing the shoes for the first time, impregnate them with a special textile protection spray to keep them looking good for longer.
Cleaning
a) Hand washing
First remove coarse, surface dirt with the textile brush. If the shoes are very dirty, it is advisable to brush them under running water as well. For detailed cleaning, massage the appropriate cleaning agent into the shoes using the textile brush. This will loosen the dirt from the pores. Rinse off the cleaning agent and leave the shoes to dry.
b) Machine wash
First brush off any coarse dirt from the shoes using a textile brush. Then place the shoes in the washing machine and wash them using a textile detergent specially designed for shoes. Wait until the shoes are dry again. After cleaning, re-waterproof the shoes to maintain protection against moisture and dirt.
What types of brushes are available and how do I use them?
Brushes
Choosing the right brush is a key part of professional shoe care. Different materials such as smooth leather or suede require different types of brushes for optimal cleaning and care. An unsuitable brush can damage the leather or distribute the care products unevenly. With the right brush, however, dirt, cream and polish can be applied precisely – resulting in well-cared-for, shiny and durable shoes.
Dauber brush
Product description
Dauber brushes are available with wooden or plastic bodies in various finishes and colours. Lengths vary between 12 cm and 17 cm, and the heads can be round or pointed. Your single-colour logo can be added to orders of 1,000 pieces or more. The cream brush can be fitted with synthetic bristles, natural bristles or horsehair.
Application description dauber brush
First, apply shoe polish to the dauber brush. Then move the brush over the shoe in circular motions to massage the cream into the leather. The shoe polish is applied thinly and evenly to the leather. Thanks to the flexibility of the bristles, the brush also applies the cream to all seams, grooves and embellishments. After applying the cream, leave it on the shoe for a few minutes to soak in and dry, then polish the shoe with the shine brush.
Advantage of dauber brushes with synthetic bristles:
Brushes with synthetic bristles are less expensive due to lower material and manufacturing costs. In addition, synthetic bristles are more durable and the brush does not ‘shed’.t.
Advantage of horsehair dauber brushes:
Horsehair dauber brushes store the shoe cream and release it onto the leather. Due to its natural texture, the hair has a rough surface that generates heat during the circular cream application movement, giving the cream an optimal consistency and allowing it to penetrate the leather pores more effectively. Once the polishing is complete, the horsehair bristles return to their original position thanks to their elasticity, without splattering polish. Horsehair also stands out due to its elegant appearance.
Advantage of dauber brushes with natural bristles:
Natural bristles, which are pig bristles, store shoe cream in a similar way to horsehair and then release it back into the leather. The cream penetrates the leather well, but also splatters a little due to the stiffness of the bristles.
Polishing brush
Product description
Polishing brushes are available with wooden or plastic bodies in various finishes and colours. Lengths vary between 8 cm and 21 cm, and shapes range from straight to curved to curved. Your single-colour logo can be added to orders of 1,000 pieces or more. The polishing brush can be fitted with synthetic bristles, natural bristles or horsehair.
Application description for polishing brush
First, apply the shoe polish thinly and evenly to the leather. Allow the polish to soak in and dry for a few minutes, then polish the shoes with the shine brush. The heat generated on the leather surface during polishing gives the shoe polish the ideal consistency to penetrate the fine leather pores, forming a delicate protective film. This creates a smooth surface that protects the shoe from dirt and gives the leather a special shine.
Advantage of gloss brushes with synthetic bristles:
Brushes with synthetic bristles are less expensive due to lower material and manufacturing costs. In addition, synthetic bristles are more durable and the brush does not ‘shed’.
Advantage of horsehair polishing brushes:
Brushes made from horsehair are the most efficient for polishing. Due to its natural texture, the hair has a rough surface that generates heat during polishing. This makes the cream more liquid and allows it to penetrate the leather pores more easily, making the leather surface smoother and the shoe shinier. In addition, the varying thickness of the hair provides an ideal polishing and cleaning effect. The thicker hairs are harder and better at removing dirt (even in the seams and grooves), while the thinner hairs are softer and polish better. The different hair diameters mean that the horsehair brush gives every smooth leather shoe an optimal shine. Horsehair also stands out due to its elegant appearance.
Advantage of gloss brushes with natural bristles:
Natural bristles, which are pig bristles, are similar in efficiency to horsehair. The diameter between the base of the bristle (shaft) and the tip of the bristle (flag) varies greatly. During processing, the bristles are bent in the middle, and the thick shafts and thin tips stand side by side in the brush. The thicker shafts remove dirt, while the thinner tips are responsible for polishing. However, there is no mixture of bristles of different diameters necessary for optimal polishing.
Stiff brush
Application description Dirt brushes with synthetic bristles
The dirt brush – in its traditional shape with a pointed tip and slanted bristles – is used to pre-clean heavily soiled shoes. Before starting to clean, the shoe should be dry. First, remove the coarsest dirt (dried earth, mud, sand, etc.) by brushing the entire shoe. Then use the slanted part (rear part of the brush) to loosen the dirt deposited in the seam between the leather and the sole. Finally, use the tip (front part of the brush) to remove any encrustations from the tread of the sole. To finish, brush the shoe again with the strong synthetic bristles and clean it thoroughly with a damp cloth. Now you can start the actual shoe care.
Application description Dirt brushes with coconut or natural bristles
The dirt brush – in its traditional shape with a pointed tip and slanted bristles – is used to pre-clean heavily soiled shoes. Before starting to clean, the shoe should be dry. First, remove the coarsest dirt (dried earth, mud, sand, etc.) by brushing the entire shoe. Then use the slanted part (rear part of the brush) to loosen the dirt deposited in the seam between the leather and the sole. Finally, use the tip (front part of the brush) to remove any encrustations or stones from the tread of the sole. To finish, brush the shoe again and clean it thoroughly with a damp cloth. Now you can start the actual shoe care. The coconut bristles clean more effectively, while the natural bristles are gentler.
How can I care for my shoes in the long term?
Application tips and quality assurance
- Storage: Store your shoes in a dry place (e.g. in a shoe box), but never in a plastic bag. Do not place your leather shoes on or near the heater. This can cause the leather to warp and become cracked or brittle.
- Polish: Use a shine brush to polish your smooth leather shoes for optimal shine.
- Rest days for leather shoes: Leather shoes should only be worn every other day to give them time to dry. Insert wooden shoe trees on rest days.
- Shoehorn: Use a shoehorn! This protects the heel of your shoes and prevents premature ageing.
- Shoe trees: Shoe trees help shoes keep their shape during storage, relieve pressure on the sole and prevent creases from forming. Wooden shoe trees also absorb moisture from the shoes.
What can I do about stains?
Practical knowledge: Prodi's tips for removing stains
- Blut: Mit kaltem Wasser und Seife auswaschen.
- Grease stains: Treat with standard household washing-up liquid.
- Chewing gum/glue: Shock freeze and then rub off with a nylon brush (smooth leather) or brass brush (suede).
- Ballpoint pen on suede: Stick adhesive tape onto the stain, scratch vigorously with your fingernail and pull off abruptly. Then brush up the leather with a suede brush.
- Red wine stains: soak a microfibre cloth in lemon water and rub the stain.