To keep your footwear looking great, there are only four steps to follow:
1. Cleaning Smooth Leather Shoes
Remove dirt by brushing with a soft nylon brush, like an old toothbrush. Then clean with leather cleaner made specifically for smooth leathers, like 'Lexol Leather Cleaner' or 'Foamtex cleaner'. After cleaning, let the shoes dry for a few minutes.
2. Conditioning Smooth Leather Shoes
Conditioning your leather shoes will help soften and moisturize the leather, and protect them from drying out and cracking. Rub small amounts of conditioner into the shoe as the leather will only absorb what it can. We recommend 'Lexol Leather Conditioner'. Leather conditioners will temporarily darken lighter coloured leathers, but they will return to their initial colour quickly.
3. Polishing Your Smooth Leather Shoes
The best type shoe polishes are cream and paste. Shoe polish paste will get you the best shine, but it takes a bit of work! Shoe polish cream is available in more colours and applies easier than the paste. We recommend 'Famaco' shoe cream and paste polish. For an even better shine, we also carry 'Saphir Mèdaille d’Or', generally regarded to be world's best polish and cream!
Rub small amounts of polish into the shoe with a soft cloth or dauber brush, and allow it to be absorbed into the leather. After a few minutes, shine your shoes by buffing them with a soft cloth or shoe shine brush made of horse hair.
4. Protecting Your Footwear Investment
Weatherproofing your leather shoes will help to protect them from water and other elements that can ruin the finish and shorten the life of your shoes. Weatherproofers come in two types: Wax based Waterproofers and Spray protectors.
Wax forms a protective layer over the surface of the shoe or boot and is absorbed into the leather. This provides a better barrier against water, but the wax and oil may darken and/or alter the appearance of the leather. We recommend 'Montana Pitch Blend'.
If the appearance of the shoe or boot is of more importance than waterproofing, a spray protectant should do the trick. By providing a breathable barrier against mild to moderate wet conditions and dirt, this type of weatherproofing product is virtually invisible on your shoes or boots. Please ask us for 'FAMACO spray Protector'. This protector spray is also suitable for Suede, Nubuck and Fabric footwear.
To keep your footwear last longer and look better we also recommend Shoe Trees and Boot Shapers.
That's it!
Come see us for all your shoe care products.