With the changing seasons, perspiration, clumsy stains and even dust, our shoes have to face many enemies that can quickly damage them.
What if this new lockdown allowed us to take the time to take care of it?
There are many accessories and products available to restore life to shoes damaged by use, and here we will look at the essential products to have for proper maintenance.
First of all, cleaning
An essential step before any action on a shoe is to clean it and remove dust. The 100% cotton chamois is perfect for complete care of the leather of your shoes. Its soft texture allows you to dust the leather and even apply your cleaning products and polish your shoes.
Maintaining shoe shape with shoe trees
The shoe tree has several positive benefits for keeping shoes in good condition. First, it allows you to stretch the leather of any model (Derbies, Oxfords, etc.) when you're not wearing them. It will fill the shoe as well as possible and prevent it from deforming. As mentioned above, the shoe tree will also absorb moisture thanks to its wood. Moisture is not a good friend of leather because when the leather is damp and not stretched, it sags and creates marks that will evolve over time.
To learn more about using shoe trees, we have an entire article on the topic right here
Do not wear the shoes two days in a row
This is not a care item but an essential attention for the longevity and proper aging of your shoes: a pair should never be worn two days in a row!
Leather is a natural material that needs rest! Ideally, it's recommended to alternate between 4 or 5 pairs of shoes, which will allow you to wear each one a maximum of 2 times per week. This will significantly optimize your comfort and the longevity of your shoes. It's also very economical because you'll reduce your shoe budget!
Nourish your leather
Apply a small amount of cream in a circular motion with a vigorous motion to allow the product to penetrate. Apply it everywhere (sole, tongue, and heel). Also pay particular attention to creases caused by wear to smooth them out.
Shoe polish to care for leather
As leather is a living material, it is essential to moisturize it regularly to optimize its flexibility but also its waterproofness and longevity.
The correct frequency is to polish your shoes every 4 to 5 times they are worn. If you follow the alternation rules, this equates to polishing your shoes 2 to 3 times a month on average , or even every week if you only have two or three pairs.
It is important to use a quality shoe polish, made from beeswax, and presented in a metal tin. Any form of shoe polish with an applicator or sponge, or even liquid or spray products, should be avoided! Never use spray-on waterproofers! These are exclusively reserved for suede calfskin. Obviously, good quality shoe care products are rarely available in supermarkets. We strongly recommend using Finsbury products, whose formulas have been specially developed for our leathers, or purchasing them from a traditional shoe repair shop.
Finally, be careful not to over-polish your shoe. The amount of wax used per polishing should be small. Applying too much polish several times could leave white marks on your leather, preventing the pores from breathing. We also strongly recommend cleaning your shoes with Finsbury cleaning milk to remove all dirt, rain stains, and accumulated layers of polish from the leather surface. This will restore your shoes to their original shine.
A good shoe polish is applied with a soft cloth or Finsbury shoe polish pads. Gently apply the polish in a circular motion, always using small amounts, so that the wax penetrates the leather fibers. Let the polish dry for at least 15 minutes before polishing your shoes with a Finsbury horsehair brush (in practice, we recommend polishing them in the evening and shining them the next morning).
Also, remember to cream your shoes every two weeks to nourish the shoe leather.
> See our range of shoe polishes
Sole maintenance
Finsbury shoe soles are available in rubber or leather. The latter is a genuine leather sole that, just like the upper of your shoe, requires regular and essential maintenance.
Our solution for a long lifespan is to install a rubber pad (Topy) under your sole. Proponents of this technique highlight several advantages: flawless protection of the sole, maximum longevity of your soles by simplifying maintenance, reduced risk of slipping, and more waterproof during dry and wet weather.
For this, you'll need a good shoemaker. The Finsbury workshop, located at 17 rue des petits champs in Paris (75001), will be happy to advise you and help you bring your soles back to life.
