Shoes made of suede or nubuck always look elegant and stylish. In addition, wearing shoes, boots, boots made of these materials is truly comfortable, since both suede and nubuck are very elastic and soft. However, many consider such shoes to be impractical. And in vain!

If you take proper care of suede, it doesn’t matter whether it’s fashionable women’s boots or children’s winter boots, it will serve you for a long time and will please both your feet and your eyes, as they say. The methods of care are simple, you just need to apply them systematically, and not occasionally.

Water - away! Protecting suede shoes from water

So, you bought suede shoes. The first thing you absolutely need to do is protect it from water. Treat your new item with a protective water-repellent agent. It is better to do this three times, each time allowing the product to absorb and the shoes to dry. During wear, water-repellent prophylaxis should be done at least once every three weeks, and if there is dirt and slush outside, then more often - weekly. This will help suede and nubuck not only not get wet, but also not absorb salt and get dirty.

Dry - don't rush. If your suede shoes are wet

If suede shoes are wet, then do not rush to clean and soak them. First of all, dry it. Ideally, wet shoes, shoes or boots should be put on special lasts so that the suede straightens out and the shoes take their shape. But if there are no such pads, ordinary newsprint will do. Stuff your shoes with old newspapers and, if they are very wet, change them periodically. The paper will easily absorb excess moisture, allowing the shoes to dry. The only caveat is that do not try to speed up the process by attaching shoes to radiators or heaters. It will dry quickly, but suede or nubuck will become stiff and lose their elasticity. After such intense drying, they can simply crack and even tear.

And an eraser will do. Cleaning dirt from suede shoes

You need to clean suede shoes from dirt without waiting for them to become scabby. For high-quality cleaning, it is better to stock up on additional accessories such as a hard porous sponge brush and a brush with rubberized teeth. If you don’t have them, you can take an ordinary eraser. The top layer of the material can be easily “invigorated”, returning the velvety feel to the suede, using a crepe brush. A special foam cleaner will help remove street dirt. But let us remind you that you only need to apply it to dry shoes! What you absolutely cannot do with suede shoes is wash them; it is better to immediately throw them in the trash.

No chemistry

It is strictly not recommended to use any solvents or bleaches to clean suede products. If the shoes are very dirty, prepare an ordinary soap solution based on baby soap or any delicate laundry powder. Add a little ammonia to it (proportion 1:5) and wipe your shoes with this liquid. After such a “bath,” rinse the suede with water acidified with vinegar at the rate of 1 teaspoon per 1 liter of water.

Suede Tricks

A few tricks for caring for suede shoes. If the material becomes shiny, clean these places with ordinary table salt or rub with the side of a new matchbox.

To keep the suede pile looking neat, run a dry brush over it in one direction.

If the suede pile is long and curls, treat it with steam by holding the suede over a container of boiling water and scrubbing it with a wire brush.

A surefire way to restore the color of brown suede is coffee. Apply coffee grounds to discolored and worn areas, let them dry, and then brush with a dry brush. Another way to “rejuvenate” suede is to smoke it over a candle flame.

It is better to take care of suede shoes in the evening, rather than putting it off until the morning, before you need to put on your shoes, boots or boots. Overnight, the suede will recover and will again have an attractive, stylish appearance.

High-quality and comfortable shoes are the key not only to a good mood, but also to human health. The selection of this wardrobe item should be taken seriously. Many people are afraid to buy suede items for fear of them getting wet. Read on to learn how suede shoes react to water, whether you can walk in them in winter, and how to protect the material from moisture.

Suede is a type of natural sheep and goat leather. Thanks to a special processing technology (tanning), it acquires a velvety and soft texture. When interacting with water, suede behaves as follows:

In general, of course, it is worth noting that suede products require more careful attention and constant care. The dry period is absolutely safe for suede. However, it is very difficult to catch such a moment on city streets. After all, under the influence of chemical reagents, snow quickly turns into caustic slush.

Attention! The listed descriptions are relevant only for high-quality and natural suede.

Is it possible to wear suede shoes in winter?

Natural suede is popular among winter shoe manufacturers and buyers. After all, Coco Chanel assured that suede things speak of the delicate taste of the owner. It is worth noting that in winter, such shoes or boots are warm even in severe frosts. It is recommended to buy products with thick soles or platforms to limit contact of the material with moisture.

Of course, suede allows water to pass through, and stains from ingrained dirt, as well as stains from salts and chemicals, may remain on it. Many people consider these shoes impractical for winter and consider the purchase a waste of money. Others, on the contrary, learn to properly care for it and do not deny themselves the purchase of another spectacular pair.

Important! When entering a room, it is advisable to brush off the snow from your feet so that it does not have time to melt.

What can you do to prevent your suede shoes from getting wet in winter?

Many buyers choose suede shoes for their beauty and elegance. Natural and untreated suede easily absorbs water. Therefore, before going outside in a new pair, it is advisable to impregnate it with water-repellent compounds. In stores you can find special devices and care products. In most cases, you will need a brush, hydrophobic spray, spacers for easy drying, and a can of paint to match the material.

Proper care includes several stages:

Suede shoes have always been a desirable acquisition for the wardrobe of fashionistas and fashionistas. She always has a presentable, luxurious appearance. To this day, it occupies a worthy place on the catwalks and everyday life. If previously shoes made of natural material were very popular, now many people prefer artificial or eco-suede.

What is this material

It is developed using modern technologies. Its basis is synthetic or cotton fabric, impregnated with a special composition that gives it strength and wear resistance. Synthetic fibers are attached on top of the fabric, which imitate the appearance of natural suede. It is used as furniture upholstery. Or they sew clothes and shoes.

The range of faux suede shoes is wide. These are men's and women's shoes, boots, boots and ankle boots, sports sneakers, moccasins.

Before purchasing shoes made from artificial suede, you need to pay attention to its advantages and disadvantages in comparison with natural ones.

Advantages of artificial suede for shoes

• Durability in use. During wearing, shoes, boots, etc. are subjected to significant physical stress. Therefore, an important characteristic is their wear resistance during operation. An important role is played by the strength of the material from which the top of the product is made. Thanks to modern manufacturing technology, artificial suede is durable and invulnerable to the formation of creases and cracks. Therefore, the shoes are of high quality and durable.
• Beauty and softness. It is very important that the shoe product is not only beautiful, but also comfortable to wear. It gets these characteristics thanks to artificial suede. Along with durability, it is soft to the touch, has a noble, presentable appearance, and believably imitates its natural counterpart. It is difficult for a beginner to find the differences between them.
• Reasonable price. The production of shoes made from natural suede is much more expensive than its artificial counterpart. Therefore, the price of natural is approximately two to three times higher than non-natural. Thanks to the affordable price, eco-suede products are available to a wider range of consumers with an average income level. You can afford to buy several pairs for every taste and color.
• Sun resistance. When exposed to direct sunlight, artificial suede does not fade or lose its color. This allows shoes or boots based on it to maintain a representative appearance with high-quality conscientious care.
• Variety of colors and shades. The use of modern dyes allows you to create fashionable shoes from eco-suede in the most incredible colors, shades, prints, and designs. A variety of colors will satisfy the taste of the most capricious buyer.
• Environmental friendliness. For animal advocates, this material property is of priority importance. Environmentalists can confidently say that no animals were harmed in the production of artificial suede. What cannot be said about shoes made from natural raw materials.

Disadvantages of faux suede for shoes

• Requires special care. When wearing such shoes, “bald patches” form on their surface, which have an unattractive appearance. The fibers of this material tend to wear off, forming unsightly shiny islands. This disturbed pile structure gives it an untidy, worn appearance. In addition, it is sensitive to getting wet. Therefore, it is recommended to clean such a product only with soap foam and a minimum amount of water. It must be processed using special brushes, care products, and aerosol paints.
• Gets wet quickly. In rainy weather, shoes made of artificial suede quickly get wet, creating inconvenience for its owner. Therefore, it is recommended to wear it in dry weather. When drying, wipe it regularly with a soft cloth to avoid streaks and make sure not to overdry it. To make it less wet, it is treated with water-repellent agents.
• Thermal insulation properties. For winter shoes, natural suede is preferable due to its ability to retain heat well. But an unnatural top of boots or shoes will not protect your feet from frost, as a natural one will do. This is a significant drawback. But for autumn-summer models, thermal insulation characteristics are not so important. For such a case, artificial suede is suitable.
• Poor air permeability. Eco-suede has no pores, like natural suede. This feature does not allow the leg to breathe, which creates difficulties when wearing. In the warm season, shoes or sneakers made of this material cause a lot of inconvenience to their owner. The leg gets tired faster, sweats and often develops an unpleasant odor.
• Does not tolerate the effects of gasoline-based products. Contact of various solvents and gasoline-based chemicals on the surface of eco-leather is undesirable. They leave difficult-to-remove stains on the surface that spoil its appearance. When wearing such shoes, it is important to be careful while wearing them. This is especially true for car drivers.

Buying shoes made from eco-suede is an excellent option for people who value their attractive appearance, good quality at a reasonable price.

When purchasing and using shoes made of artificial suede, follow these recommendations:

1. Buy products from well-known brands and in trusted stores.
2. Request a warranty card for the purchased product.
3. Before you make your first purchase, learn how to care for these items.
4. Faux suede is not the best option for winter boots or boots. It doesn't keep your feet warm enough in winter.
5. It requires careful care, thanks to which you can maintain its attractiveness for a long time.
6. Do not wear these shoes in inclement wet weather - they will quickly get wet.

Gentleman's shoes

Shoe care

Stand with both feet on two sheets of paper. Holding the pencil strictly vertically, draw a line around the leg...

What to do if your shoes get wet through in heavy rain?

In rainy autumn, your favorite shoes Loake requires especially careful care. At any moment, streams of water can pour from the sky, regardless of the weather service's promises. Alas, in such a situation, even the most careful person is not immune from the risk of getting his feet wet.

Protective water-repellent impregnation

Apply a protective compound to your boots in advance. Special water-repellent Spray impregnation for shoes will save your favorite shoes from bad weather. It creates a transparent film invisible on the surface of the shoe, which prevents moisture from being absorbed into the leather of the shoes. Raindrops will simply flow down without causing harm.

However, water-repellent agents must be used correctly, otherwise they will do more harm than good:

• Water-repellent agents can only be applied to clean, dry shoes.
• It is better to do this in the evening so that the product is properly absorbed into the leather surface overnight.
• The maximum effect occurs approximately 9 - 10 hours after application; until this moment it is better not to go outside in shoes.

If you have already gotten your leather shoes wet

Loake leather or suede shoes should only be dried at room temperature.

Forget about the usual advice to put your shoes on the radiator or use a hairdryer! Any heating devices will shorten the life of the shoes.

To maintain their shape, it is better to place wet shoes on special spacers. If you don't have spacers at hand, stuff your boots with napkins or absorbent soft paper. Change the paper every few hours. It is better not to use newspapers for this purpose - printing ink can stain your shoes. Use newsprint only as a last resort. When the shoes are dry, clean them with a suitable cream to soften the leather and maintain its quality.

If leather shoes are particularly wet, wipe them dry with a soft cloth made of natural fabric that absorbs moisture well. If you need to wash dirty soles, try not to let drops of water get on your skin. If you cannot avoid this, blot your boots again with a rag.

If your suede shoes are wet

You cannot dry suede near heating appliances; this will cause the delicate material to quickly crack, fade and lose its presentation.

Wait for the shoes to dry a little. Then go over its surface with a special suede brush. Typically, this brush has stiff bristles on one end that will help you remove any stuck-on dirt from your suede. At the other end there is a soft rubber brush - it will help to “ruffle” the pile and eliminate shiny areas.

It is better to have at least two pairs of boots for each season, so that damp shoes have time to dry completely at room temperature. Remove insoles from wet shoes and dry them separately.

Proper care of your shoes will help maintain their appearance much longer. Beautiful Loake shoes require some maintenance and time, but in return they will serve you for many years. Take care of your boots and you won't have to buy new ones every season to replace a damaged pair.