プロに教わる革の磨き方Are you polishing your shoes properly?
Daily care is very important for products made of leather, which is a "living material. In particular, the life of leather shoes, which support our feet in our daily lives, depends on how well they are cared for. We asked a shoe professional to tell us how to take care of such leather shoes.
From "Leather in Japan No. 1" published in 2008
1. Remove dirt
Brush off dust and mud from the shoes. Use a brush made of pig or horse hair for shoes. Be careful not to damage the leather with the corners of the brush. If the dirt is difficult to remove, use a cleaner.
2. Apply cream
Apply the cream evenly over the entire surface of the shoe tree, stretching out the creases. Apply the emulsifying cream to the entire surface using a cloth. Be sure to spread the cream evenly and thinly, using small circular motions.
3. Brushing
Brush before color wiping. Brushing removes excess cream and extends the applied cream to increase its luster. A special brush for shoes should be used depending on the color of the cream.
4. Dry Wipe
Wipe the entire surface with a clean cloth. By moving the cloth quickly, heat is given to the leather to dissolve the cream, which further enhances the shine.
5. Mirror finish on the toes
The basic care has been completed up to step 4. If you want to go even further, mirror-finish the toes. Apply an oil-based shoe polish and polish to fill in the uneven surfaces.
Polish leather soles, too.
The leather soles should also be cleaned with a stiff brush and a coat of mink oil to preserve the leather.
Don't forget the soles!
The leather between the sole and the instep should also be cleaned with a special leather brush, and then emulsifying cream should be applied.
Different materials require different care
For suede, brushing is the basic method. Severe stains should be removed with a special rubber. Spray with water-repellent and color-enhancing sprays as needed.
Shoe trees are essential.
Shoes that have been worn for a day will retain a lot of moisture. To prevent the shoes from losing their shape and to absorb moisture, insert shoe trees after each wear to keep the condition of the shoes constant.
