The correct care for your shoes

Shoes accompany us in all activities - whether its hiking, on the way to work, or in everyday life. Occasionally, we even wear them all day long. Therefore, to enjoy your shoes for a long time, it's important to take good care of them. In this article, you will find some care tips from shoe specialist Dolomite. The Italian outdoor brand has been known for its high-quality hiking and multifunctional shoes for more than 120 years.

More longevity for your shoes

Experts know: Care and proper cleaning maintain the quality and functionality of your shoes in the long term. Proper shoe care is also a way towards more sustainability. If products are used for as long as possible, we take a step away from the "throwaway society" concept. Therefore, you should pay attention to the quality, durability, and longevity of products during purchase. 

With the right treatment, Dolomite's high-quality multifunctional and outdoor shoes can be worn for up to ten years. The professionals at Dolomite have gathered some tips, on how this longevity can be achieved. The outdoor brand from Italy has been producing robust and high-quality shoes for over 120 years already. 

>> More about the Dolomite brand

Important: The right care depends on the material of the shoes! A synthetic shoe needs a different treatment than shoes made of suede or full-grain leather, for example.

Step 1: Shoe preparation

Before starting the actual care process, the shoes need to be prepared accordingly. At this step, all materials still receive the same treatment. First, the shoes must be left to air dry. But be careful: direct sunlight, radiators, or other sources of heat can damage the shoes, as leather and synthetics can dry out and adhesives in the shoes or soles could dissolve.

Additionally, you should remove the laces and insoles, so that the actual lining is ventilated better. This will also allow you to check if they are still in good condition.

Step 2: Shoe cleaning and care

Full-grain leather shoes

One of the most popular materials for shoes worldwide is leather. It's extremely hard-wearing, durable, and adapts well to the foot. However, since leather is a "living" material, it requires a certain amount of care to retain its positive qualities and to prevent cracking or stiffening.

This is how you clean leather shoes:

First, brush the outer surfaces of the air-dried shoes with a soft brush to remove dust and remnants of dried earth. For stubborn mud stains, you can moisten the brush or use a para rubber.

Once the leather shoes are clean and dry, apply a leather care cream or waterproofing cream to the surface. You can use a soft brush for this. Alternatively, you can also use an old wool sock. But be aware that excessive use of shoe polish can make the surface too soft and deformable. In addition, the leather may become slightly darker after treatment with a waterproofing agent.  

After the care process, you should let the shoes rest for a few hours. This allows the products to be fully absorbed. Finally, you should polish the leather shoes before putting the insoles and laces back in.

>> Shoe polish for leather shoes by Dolomite

Suede and suede leather shoes

In addition to full-grain leather, suede and suede leather are also extremely popular materials for shoes. Suede is particularly comfortable and soft but requires regular and thorough care.

This is how you clean suede shoes:

Suede shoes are cleaned with a damp cloth to remove dirt. Stubborn dirt such as mud and soil residue can be removed with a hard-bristled brush. 

Once the shoes are clean and dry, you can waterproof them. Unlike full-grain leather, suede is not treated with shoe polish but with a spray. To apply the waterproofing spray, shake it well before applying two coats onto the surface from about 20 centimeters distance*. After a drying time of around five minutes, repeat the process and then leave the shoes for a few hours to allow complete absorption. In the end, you can put the soles and laces back in.

>> Waterproofing spray for suede shoes by Dolomite

* When using care products, always follow the manufacturer's instructions for use!

Synthetic Shoes

Synthetic materials are especially popular for sports shoes. They offer abrasion resistance and are lightweight. Additionally, they are easy to clean.

This is how you clean synthetic shoes:

As a rule, water is sufficient for cleaning synthetic shoes (running water, if possible). Stubborn dirt can be removed with a soft brush.

Even more effective is the use of special foams for synthetic materials. To maintain the water-repellent properties of the shoes, a waterproofing spray can also be used. Before wearing the shoes again, you should wait a few hours until all care products have been absorbed and the shoes have dried properly. 

Don't forget the inside!

The insides of shoes - i.e. the insoles and the lining - need care and cleaning just as much as the outside. This is the only way to avoid premature abrasion and the spread of bacteria. The actual treatments depend on the materials.

If the lining is made out of synthetic material, it can simply be cleaned with a warm, damp cloth. Afterward, simply leave it to air dry.

Cleaning is particularly important if the inside of the shoe is lined with leather, as sweating produces acids that can damage the material. The first step is to clean the inside with a warm, damp cloth. After drying, you can apply a thin layer of waterproofing cream.

Insoles should be cleaned regularly, preferably after every use. To clean the insoles, take them out of the shoe, clean them thoroughly with a damp cloth, and then leave them out to air dry. Depending on how often you wear the shoes, experts recommend replacing the insides at least once a year.

Step 3: Storage

If you plan to leave your shoes unused for a long time, you should remove the insoles and stuff the shoes with newspaper, especially around the toes. This will help the shoes retain their original shape. 

It is also advisable to store the shoes in a dark and dry place at a constant temperature. The best way to do this is to use the original box, in which you can cover the shoes with tissue paper.

>> You can find more information on shoe care directly at Dolomite

Shoes accompany us in all activities - whether hiking, on the way to work, or in everyday life. Occasionally, we even wear them all day long. Therefore, to enjoy your shoes for a long time, it's important to take good care of them. In this article, you will find some care tips from shoe specialist Dolomite. The Italian outdoor brand has been known for its high-quality hiking and multifunctional shoes for more than 120 years.