Leather Shoe Care Guide

• Horsehair brush
• Soft cloth
• Shoe cream

• Beeswax polish
• Shoe tree or paper
• Shoe horn

Weekly clean

5 minutes

After-wear check

30 seconds

If wet

Do this to avoid damage

Smooth leather care

1. Brush to remove dust
2. Wipe using a soft cloth
3. Apply a thin layer of neutral or colour-matching cream polish
4. Buff briskly with a horsehair brush, then finish with the cloth.

After wear

• Insert paper or a cedar shoe tree and allow 24 hours rest before next wear

Suede/nubuck care

1. Use a suede brush to lift the nap and remove surface dust
2. Apply a protector spray to prevent stains.

After wear

• Let them air dry. Use a shoe tree or paper if the shape needs help (optional)

Hand-painted care

1. Brush gently to remove dust
2. Wipe with a damp cloth, then dry
3. Apply a neutral water-based cream
4. Buff with a horsehair brush + cloth

After wear

• Insert paper or a cedar shoe tree and allow 24 hours rest before next wear

Summer

Heat, humidity, sweat, coastal salt

• Brush after wear (dust + salt + sweat)
• Use shoe trees + allow full drying before next wear
• Apply light cream more often. Avoid over-waxing (can trap heat/moisture)
• Never leave shoes in a hot car

Autumn

Variable weather

• Apply cream polish, add a thin wax layer for light water resistance
• Let wet shoes dry naturally (room temperature)
• Check welts, stitching and edges for grit; brush it out
• Rotate shoes more as humidity and showers increase

Winter

Wet weather

• Avoid soaking leather soles; rotate pairs generously
• Condition slightly more often
• If soaked: stuff with paper, change it once, dry shoes on their side
• Consider rubber soles or topy protection for daily wet commutes

Spring

Dust, pollen, wind

• Light brushing keeps leather clean and prevents dust buildup
• Refresh cream to even colour and revive leather after winter
• For suede/nubuck: brush nap regularly + reapply water/dust protector
• Spot-clean pollen marks early before they set