For textiles and leather How to clean and care for your shoes properly
Everyday adventures often leave their mark. Here, we’ll show you the best way to clean our shoes so you can enjoy them for years to come. First things first: the washing machine is a no-go for our shoes.
How to clean shoes properly Step by step
Knock, knock Tap off
You should start by tapping off any coarse dirt. Either tap the soles of your shoes together or tap each shoe against an edge.
Scrub, scrub Brush off dry
Now it’s time to use the brush: brush any coarse dirt off the sole and upper while they are DRY. It’s best to use a soft brush.
Brush, brush Brush off the Velcro
Give the Velcro fastenings a dry brush as well.
Wipe, wipe Remove dirt
Then carefully remove the dirt using a damp cloth and warm water. For more stubborn dirt, we recommend a soft sponge and mild soap or curd soap. A cleaning product isn’t essential. If you do want to use one, we recommend a product with natural ingredients.
Wait, wait Leave to dry
Leave the cleaned shoes to dry with the laces undone. The Velcro fastenings or laces should be left wide open, and any insoles must be removed. Important: Do not place the shoes on a radiator, as this may cause the adhesive to come loose. However, do not place them in a place that is too cold either. In a cool environment, moisture can be drawn into the interior. This means the necessary temperature gradient is missing, and the membrane may not function optimally later on. So the best approach is to let them dry in a well-ventilated place at a moderate temperature.
Twist, twist Turn them over
Our Affenzahn shoe soles are what are known as cup soles. This means that the upper sits a little lower in the sole – almost like in a bathtub. Whilst this ‘bathtub effect’ provides extra support, it can also cause water or moisture to collect and make them harder to dry. Our tip: Simply turn the shoes upside down, e.g. on a clothes horse, so that everything can dry properly.
Spray, spray Waterproofing
Once the shoes are clean and dry, refresh the protection using a waterproofing spray suitable for the upper material. Note: Winter shoes with a membrane are coated (in addition to the waterproof membrane) with a water-repellent layer, which can wear off gradually. We therefore recommend re-waterproofing the shoes after around 2–3 weeks of use.
A no-no for our shoes No washing machine
Special notes on smooth leather How to make smooth leather happy again
Is your shoe leather getting dirty? No problem! Grab a soft brush or a moist cloth and remove the dirt carefully. Watch out, though: don't let the leather get soaking wet, because it could stain or discolor. Oh, and leather shoes don't like it hot! So don't leave them on the heater, and definitely don't blow-dry them - the leather might dry out and crack. Just let them air-dry. Once they're fully dry, you can keep smooth leather extra-smooth by applying a leather conditioner. Use a soft cloth to remove any excess conditioner.
Special notes on full-grain leather How to make full-grain leather happy
Full-grain leather is a little bit more sensitive, so please don't use any cream or conditioner on it! It doesn't really like water, either. The best way to clean it is dry, using a special brush - a nap brush for gentle cleaning, a brass-bristle brush for more stubborn grime. That way, you'll clean the leather while also roughening it up to maintain that velvety look. Just brush the leather using gentle, even pressure.
