Product Care
Poorly maintained shoes and boots can quickly become scuffed and dirty. There are steps that can be taken to keep footwear in good condition.
Different shoe materials will require different methods of maintenance, so it is important that wearers know what their shoes are made of.
Wet weather advice
No footwear is waterproof unless clearly stated on the label. Frequently spraying your footwear with protector spray can help to guard against water penetration but will not make your footwear waterproof.
“Never dry wet shoes next to a radiator or any other source of heat: you’ll crack the leather. Simply stuff them with newspaper or boot shapers and allow them to dry out naturally. If they are covered in mud, brush off when dry and then polish as normal”
Leather Uppers
Leather uppers will benefit from regular cleaning and protecting with suitable protector sprays and creams. Conditioning your boots with oil and creams will help the leather resist cracking, flaking, fading and looking tired out.
Suede / Nubuck Uppers
As soon as suede shoes have been brought home, they should be sprayed with a protector spray that is designed for suede shoes. Purchase a suede brush and routinely brush the dust and debris from shoes. A good habit to have is brushing down suede shoes immediately after they have been worn. If they become damp, draw out the excess moisture with a towel and then allow to air dry at room temperature. Setting them in the sun or drying them with heat may cause discoloration.
Delicate Trims
Beads, sequins and stones can be delicate and must be worn with care. These adornments can become dislodged or damaged if worn in conditions where they are rubbed or scuffed. Delicate products on most occasions have spare trims available and where possible will be repaired as a complimentary service offered by our in house shoe technician.
Heel Tips
Heel tips are a replaceable component which should not be allowed to wear down. Replace heel tips on a regular basis to prevent permanent damage to the heels. We do not recommend that you replace plastic heel tips with metal heel tips as this could alter the construction of the shoe. A further way of protecting your heels from an outdoor event is to cover your heel. The starletto will stop your heel from sinking into grass, mud or any soft surface.
Replacing Insoles
The insole of a shoe takes quite a bit of abuse, especially in flat and court shoes which are meant to be worn without socks. If replacing the insole is to help eliminate odors, first check to see if the insole is worn out. If it is not worn out, try sprinkling baking soda in the bottom of the shoe at night and then shaking or vacuuming it out in the morning. If that does not work or if the insole is worn through, replacing the insoles is advised.
Replacement of insoles will also make the footwear more comfortable by providing a springy cushion and proper arch support. However, when the insole is replaced, the shoes may need to be broken in again, so the wearer should reconsider replacing insoles right before going on a trip. Replacement insoles are available for purchase in most sizes or can come in larger sizes that can be trimmed down.”