Looking after your shoes properly

In short: Shoes that are cleaned regularly, dried well and cared for in the right way look good for longer and often last many years. The right care depends mainly on the material.

In more detail: Smooth leather needs cream, suede and nubuck need a brush and spray, and fabric or sports shoes can often be washed gently. Almost always: remove dirt first, then let them dry, and only then apply care products.

In detail

• Basic cleaning: First brush off soil and dust while dry; loosen caked-on dirt with a damp cloth without soaking the material.
• Drying properly: Let wet shoes dry at room temperature and stuff them with newspaper; radiators, hair dryers or blazing sun can make leather hard and cracked and loosen glued seams.
• Smooth leather: After cleaning, apply a thin layer of shoe cream in a matching colour, let it soak in briefly and polish with a soft brush or cloth; this keeps the leather supple.
• Suede: Do not apply cream to suede and nubuck; instead, raise the nap with a special brush or suede eraser and protect it with a suitable spray.
• Waterproofing: Only use waterproofing sprays outdoors or with the window open and do not breathe in the spray mist; test first on an inconspicuous spot.
• Keeping the shape: Wooden shoe trees keep the shape, prevent deep creases and absorb moisture; shoes also benefit from a day’s rest after a day of wear.
• Fabric and sports shoes: Whether a shoe can go in the washing machine is often stated by the manufacturer; take out the laces and insoles first and choose a gentle, low-temperature programme.
• Odours and repairs: Letting shoes dry thoroughly and changing the insoles when needed helps against odour; a cobbler can often renew worn heels and soles cheaply instead of the shoes being thrown away (kleidung-reparieren-statt-wegwerfen, gerueche-in-der-wohnung-beseitigen).