Care of the suede will predominantly depend on intended use and requirements.
Generally, Suede should be sprayed at least once a month, or more regularly depending if they are worn on a day to day basis. The suede can be treated with either:
- Suede and Nubuck Protector, or
- Liquiproof Premium Protector (or equivalent).
Both products will provide different levels of protection, but will help protect the suede from dirt and water.
The Suede and Nubuck Protector
The Suede and Nubuck Protector will give an all round treatment. The Protector should be sprayed from a minimum of a foot away, lightly covering the areas required and leave to prove over the course of 3-4 hours before use. This should be repeated once a month, or more regularly with day to day use. Please spray the Proofer in a well ventilated area!
Liquiproof Premium Protector
The Liquiproof Premium Protector provides further water repellence to the suede, which will help encourage water to bead off when subjected to splashes, spills or rain.
Spray the Protector onto the product, working section by section (left side, right side, top of the foot) and rub into the suede with a soft brush before it dries to ensure an even coating(think of polishing a car!)
The Liquiproof will take about an hour to set, and may initially leave brush marks in the suede from where the fibres have been brushed whilst wet. If this is the case, brush the suede down again with a soft suede brush, following the direction of the fibres.
If the suede does become wet or dirty, use a damp cloth with clean water to lightly wipe away any marks, leave the product to dry naturally (away from artificial heat sources) then brush the product down with a soft brush. For heavier amounts of dirt or mud, this may require prolonged brushing to remove all the dust particles.
The Sole/ Heel
Don't be tempted to put the shoes into a washing machine, but always clean the shoes by hand. Leave any mud to dry, and then use a brush to work it out of the material. Don't be tempted to scrub too hard as this will potentially damage the jute strands.
Cleaning
Suede is a natural material, but is treated differently from Leather. Many basic marks can be treated by leaving the dirt/ mud/ water to dry naturally, and then brushing with the direction of the fibres using a soft suede brush.
For further marks or for general cleaning, the Liquiproof Eco-Cleaner found in the Liquiproof Footwear Complete Care Travel Kit will remove the most common day-to-day marks or accumulated dirt.
Use the cleaner like a soap heavily diluted in warm water. Work it lightly into the suede with a soft brush, wiping away excess and residue with a damp cloth. Leave to dry naturally, then brush and reapply either the Suede and Nubuck Protector or Liquiproof Premium Protector. Don’t be tempted to use too much cleaner or oversaturate the product, as this can cause the dye to fade!
The same process can be used for the Jute Sole, but a firmer brush with longer bristles, used gently, may be needed.
Rain & Water
Rain and sources of water may leave an imprint on the suede, but this can be removed by allowing the product to dry naturally, and brushing away the marks with a soft brush.
Storage
Finally its best to store your boots upright, or in their original packaging. To store the boots upright, do so with Fairfax & Favor boot trees to help maintain their original shape, and ensuring that the ankle doesn’t ‘bunch’ by flopping/ folding over when not in use.
Here's Stag to show you how:
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