When you splash out on a new pair of shoes, the last thing you want is for them to degrade or wear quickly and on that note, we receive many queries on how best to care for your fabulous Hudson Footwear.
Bearing this in mind – we thought we would post a few ideas that we and some long standing customers alike, have used in the past to keep our shoes looking as pristine as the day the walked into our wardrobe:
Clean and Polish the Leather
Before polishing your leather shoes or boots, clean them with a shoe brush or wipe them to remove any embedded dirt or debris. Don’t forget the soles — bits of dirt can scratch them like sandpaper. Next, remove the shoelaces (if any) to avoid staining them; this also lets you clean the tongue of the shoe thoroughly. Then, use a pencil eraser to eliminate scuff marks.
Now it’s time to shine. Select a polish that matches the color of your shoes. For best results, first rub the polish or cream into the shoe, applying evenly with a brush or soft cloth. Once the polish has completely dried, buff the shoes using a natural-bristle brush. Important: Use a separate brush and cloth for each color shoe — one for brown, one for black, and so on.
Maintain the Shape: Store leather shoes on stretchers in their original boxes to maintain their shapes. Alternatively, stuff the toecap with newspaper or tissue. For boots, use boot shapers for the shaft and stuff the toe with newspaper. Never store or dry leather shoes near a radiator or other direct heat, as this can damage the leather. All Hudson shoes are provided with tissue paper inside and wrapping the shoes.
Save Your Suede: Your suede and nubuck shoes deserve special attention. Clean and waterproof them regularly, and brush them before wearing so they will look their best. If your suede shoes get wet, stuff them with newspaper to keep their shape and let them dry naturally, away from heat. you can purchase suede cleaner/protector from any good cobbler on the high street.
Stay Well-heeled: Some of our longstanding customers resole their shoes when they first get them, to encourage the longevity of the shoe – as we all know rubber is more durable than leather being that it is a man-made material. This is a personal preference and not for everyone, however it is a way of preserving the sole. As with any natural fibre, it will scuff and change with every surface it encounters, not to mention wet conditions.
Quick Tips to Extend the Life of Your Shoes
- To make shoes last longer, rotate them with another pair.
- Always protect new shoes by spraying them with a water protector before wearing them for the first time.
- If your shoes get wet, allow them to dry completely before wearing them again. Then waterproof them again with a multipurpose protector.
- When you travel, always place your shoes inside a shoe bag or wrap them in a soft cloth.
These are just a few tips and pointers on how best to care for your lovely leather shoes… if you have any further queries that we haven’t covered, please feel free to drop us a line at: web-enquiries@hudsonshoes.com or fill in a contact form.
…Start Walking x
