To use good things for a long time, it is essential to take care of them. Suede shoes, in particular, are a raised material that is easily disturbed by dust, so frequent maintenance is essential. Mr. Mitsuhashi of “Columbus,” a pioneer in shoe care in Japan, tells us how to care for suede shoes.
After studying at a famous women’s shoe brand and a shoe trading company, he joined Columbus in 2012, where he has been working with men’s shoes for more than 15 years and is in charge of shoe customization as a shoe colorist. His activities are not limited to repairing and coloring shoes, but also include shoe care training, training for the repair department, new product development, and in-store sales.
CONTENTS
- How hard is it to care for suede shoes?
- You can also check out our video on how to care for suede shoes!
- What is the usual easy care to do after wearing suede shoes?
- How should I take care of stains stuck on the tips of suede shoes?
- How do I care for suede shoes to remove shine?
- How to care for stains that have penetrated deep into suede shoes?
- I am worried about the rustiness and color loss of suede shoes. In such cases, take care to nourish and replenish the color!
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How hard is it to care for suede shoes?
Suede shoes seem to be difficult to care for because suede is prone to stains and dirt. However, according to Mr. Mitsuhashi, it is actually easier to care for suede shoes than smooth leather or leather with silver. For daily care, just brushing is sufficient, and if they should get dirty, proper care will keep them looking good for a long time. As a precaution, be sure to use shoe care products specially designed for suede, as emulsifying creams and liquid cleaners will destroy the bristles, just as they do with silvered leather.
Find items to care for your suede shoes!
You can also check out our video on how to care for suede shoes!
The suede shoe care methods described in this article are also available on OTOKOMAE’s YouTube channel. Mr. Mitsuhashi of Columbus demonstrates and explains the key points of caring for suede shoes, so be sure to check it out.
What is the usual easy care to do after wearing suede shoes?
After wearing suede shoes, there is a big possibility that the fur is disheveled and dust and other dirt is on them. Therefore, be sure to brush them. A horsehair brush should be used for this purpose. The bristles look thicker, and the brush is more suited to removing dust and dirt from the suede. The trick is to brush in the direction where the bristles appear darker. Incidentally, brushing alone is sufficient for care after wearing. All the care methods introduced here are to be done after brushing, so try to get into the habit of brushing after wearing.
Here is the horse hair brush we used! BootBlack Edoya Brush Horsehair BB Brush
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How should I take care of stains stuck on the tips of suede shoes?
The cuff and inner surfaces of suede shoes are prone to rubbing, fluffing, and dirt adhesion. If brushing alone does not remove the dirt, we recommend using a gum-type cleaner. This too is easy to clean, as just rubbing the area of concern will absorb the dirt on the bristles. Rub gently to remove stains, as forceful rubbing will damage the shoes.
Here’s the gum cleaner we used! BootBlack BB Cleaning Bar
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How do I care for suede shoes to remove shine?
Basically, suede shoes have no luster, but in areas that are prone to rubbing, such as the toes and heels, the hairs tend to sleep and produce an unnatural shine. In such cases, use a gold brush that contains a wire to raise the sleeping hairs. The key is to brush with a snap of the wrist. Incidentally, if the bristles are sleeping, it will be difficult to apply waterproofing spray, the water repellent effect will diminish, and dirt will easily stick to the bristles, so be sure to raise the bristles frequently.
Click here to see the suede brush we used! COLUMBUS Suede Brush C
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How to care for stains that have penetrated deep into suede shoes?
If dirt has penetrated into suede shoes and the color of the hair appears uneven in some areas, we recommend using a foam-type shampoo. The shampoo used in this project comes out in foam, and a ping-pong ball-sized amount is soaked into a sponge and applied to the suede shoes. The sponge absorbs the dirt, and the oil in the shampoo moistens the suede so that the original color comes out clearly. This process does not require much effort and takes only 5 minutes, so we recommend that you try it when maintaining your suede shoes.
Click here to see the foam shampoo we used! COLUMBUS Foam Shampoo Plus Clear
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I am worried about the rustiness and color loss of suede shoes. In such cases, take care to nourish and replenish the color!
When suede shoes become too dry, the leather loses its flexibility and becomes dry and crumbly, you can use a special nutritional agent for suede shoes. Just by pushing it on the suede shoes, the texture will be revived and the original color of the shoes will be restored, so there is no reason not to use this product. If the color does not come back after using nutritional supplements, you can use a special spray to make up for the color.
Nutritional supplements used are here! BootBlack Suede Rich Moisture
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