Caring Soles: Autumn Shoe Care Guide

Autumn is a wonderful time of year when it comes to style. As the weather gets cooler you can finally play around with layering scarfs, shirts and jackets but it’s not yet cold enough to be restricted to your big winter coat. However, autumn isn’t without its flaws and cold, wet weather can be very unforgiving to your suave leather shoes. At Quarter & Last, we don’t believe in compromising style for practicality and that’s why we’ve compiled this handy little guide to help you protect your shoes this autumn.

Caring for Leather

Leather is a pretty durable choice for autumn footwear, but it still requires a bit of care to keep it looking its best. As leather is a natural material it will dry out over time and that’s why we recommend applying a shoe cream or leather conditioner about once a month. You can shop our range of Saphir Medaille D'or creams to find your preferred colour.

To apply, give your shoes a quick clean and then use a soft cloth to gently massage the shoe cream evenly into the leather uppers. This will restore moisture and help protect your shoes against the cold temperatures of the autumn months. For an extra special finish, use a horsehair shoe shine brush to give your shoes a light buff and polish.

 

Caring for Suede 

We can’t stress it enough; waterproof protector spray is a must for suede shoes during the autumn! You should spray new suede shoes before you wear them and then reapply protector once every three to four months. Soon you will be able to purchase our own branded shoe care which includes a protector spray.

And while they do work wonders to fight against freak splashes, we highly recommended leaving your suede shoes at home on rainy days, but just in case you get caught out, the Saphir Medaille D'or Omninettoyant Special Cleaner provides deep cleaning and stain removal to suede, nubuck and textiles.

Applying Shoe Protector 

To achieve the best results, it is advisable to apply shoe protector before wearing your new shoes for the first time. However, if you do want to apply a protector to a pair of shoes that you’ve already worn, make sure you give them a quick clean first. This will remove any dust or dirt and allow for an even distribution across the shoes uppers. You can search through our brushes and tools to see which suits your situation best. And, if using an aerosol protector spray, it is best to apply outdoors or in a non-confined space to avoid breathing in any harmful fumes.

Why Does It Always Rain on Me? 

No matter how careful you are, chances are you will get caught out in the rain from time to time, but all is not lost! If you take care and follow these simple steps you will minimise the damage that water can cause to your shoes.

 

Step One: Remove Excess Water

The first thing you need to do if you get your shoes wet is to remove all excess water from their uppers with a dry towel. Never dry leather shoes using artificial heat as this will cause the leather to dry out and may lead to cracking. 

Step Two: Dry The Insides Of Your Shoes 

If water has soaked through to your shoes linings it’s likely that you won’t be able to fully dry them using a towel. In these instances, you should stuff your shoes with paper towels or other liquid absorbing materials to help draw the water out. This process can take a while and the stuffing may need to be replaced a few times depending on how wet your shoes are. 

Step Three: Ointment or Condition and Polish 

Once your shoes are dry, here is where you can use the Saphir Medaille D'or Omninettoyant Special Cleaner which provides deep cleaning and stain removal to suede, nubuck and textiles. If your shoes are leather, here you should apply a shoe cream to help restore and condition the leather and to finish things off, a layer of polish and you’re good to go! 

Lastly, while following these steps will help to protect your shoes against damage this autumn, it is always best to avoid completely submerging leather shoes in water. So perhaps don’t go jumping in that puddle in your new brogues, however tempting it may be…

Copy by Tom Mankin