As shoe restorers, we see the tail end of a lot of footwear accidents and emergencies, with clients who are devastated at having damaged their favourite pair of shoes.
For these clients, the sentimental value of their designer shoes, as opposed to their value, is what we hear the most - although we are increasingly hearing more sustainability-conscious factors from the same clients.
Naturally, we’re always happy to take care of your favourite pair professionally, but if you’re in need of a quick rescue, there are damage-limitation measures you can take.
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We see a lot of wine and coffee stains on suede and leather shoes, and in these instances, you have to blot right away. Then, when home, you can create a cleaning solution using two cups of warm water, one tablespoon of dishwashing detergent and one tablespoon of white vinegar.
Apply the solution only on the stained areas and keep dabbing until the stain starts to lift. Finish with a clean linen cloth to remove excess moisture before allowing the shoes to dry.
Worn-down heels
Worn-down heels will need professional repair but you can delay your next visit by installing rubber ‘taps’ on the heels of your shoes – they protect your heels from wearing down quickly and can provide you with extra grip without having to endure the pain of scoring your brand new designer leather soles.
Alternatively, transparent heel protectors are particularly handy if you do a lot of city walking – just make sure you remove them once you’ve arrived at the office or dinner party.
Designer solutions
Designer sneakers, namely Gucci, Prada and Christian Louboutin, have become incredibly popular as the ultimate mark of casual-cool and as a result, we see many pairs requiring upkeep through our service, in order to keep them looking as good as the first day they were worn.
While restoring the upper is a professional job, the wear on the bright white soles can be easily maintained at home with something as simple as taking a white eraser to it, gently. Alternatively, an effective cleaning paste can be made from one-half water and one-half baking soda. Just apply the paste to the sole and rub in circular motions with a toothbrush.
Leather shoes
With leather shoes, nappa and calf are highly favoured by designer brands for their softness, texture and durability, and they need to be treated with great care as a result.
The techniques we use vary according to the type of leather, and the type of damage that has been afflicted but if you need a quick stain removal technique on most leathers, just make a gentle solution using one part mild soap, like a facial cleanser, with eight parts bottled or distilled water (regular tap water may have particles that can damage leather), pour into a spray bottle before spraying onto a clean linen cloth, which you can then use to gently work away at the stain.
Never spray directly onto the leather as this could cause oversaturation. Finish with a wipe of distilled water and leave your shoes to dry.
