Cleaning

With time dirt, dust and residues of shoe cream and wax get stuck on your shoes. Because of this it’s recommended to clean your shoes with mild yet efficient cleaning products, at least once a year. Here you’ll find all you need to give your shoes a proper cleaning. Make sure to use shoe cream and wax polish, or waterproofing spray if it’s suede, after the shoes have been washed.

Saphir is one of the oldest still existing manufacturers of shoe care products in the world. In 1925 they won a gold medal at the famous retail event Foire de Paris for its high quality all natural shoe care products, and when they started producing these they were named Medaille d'Or 1925. Apart from these Medaille d'Or series has a bunch of other products, and it has become the number one choice for shoe lovers all around the world.

How do you clean shoes?

How best to clean shoes depends on the material they are made of, and how dirty they are. To start with, to avoid dirt getting stuck on your shoes, the best thing to do is to have a shoe brush to brush them off when you come in the door, or take a regular dishcloth and wipe them off if it's been wet outside. This will keep your shoes in better condition for longer, and you won't have to spend so much time and effort cleaning them, which always puts some strain on the shoes, although we have very gentle cleaning products.

When it's time for a proper cleaning, we have three products that are the first choice depending on the type of shoe: Saphir Medaille d'Or Leather Cleanser for shoes made of regular leather, oiled/waxed leather or cordovan, Saphir Medaille d'Or Omninettoyant suede cleaner for suede and nubuck, and Tarrago WASC! Sneakers super cleaner for sneakers in smooth leather, suede, synthetic or textile. All these products are used in a similar way, you use a damp cloth or brush and work up a lather which dissolves the dirt, this is then wiped off with a damp cloth. Once the shoes have dried after a few hours, treat them with conditioner or shoe cream if leather, or waterpoofing spray if suede, nubuck or textile. Very easy and with good results.

We also have other more specialised products, for example for stripping off old shoe cream and wax polish, removing salt streaks, cleaning rubber boots and more.

Can you clean shoes in the washing machine?

The simple, convenient answer that people often want is yes. However, the more correct answer is that it should be avoided, for several reasons. Having shoes go through the washing machine will definitely make them cleaner, but there is also a high risk that you will damage the shoes. For one thing, seams can pull, especially if you wash on too high a heat. Secondly, some of the glues used in shoes can be partially or completely dissolved by the stress of machine washing, which can damage the structure of the shoes. Secondly, unfortunately many of today's shoes contain paperboard in the midsole / lasting board, heels and heel stiffeners, for example, which are seriously degraded by as much moisture as a machine wash incurs.

Although some shoes will manage, there is a good chance that you will have significantly shortened the lifespan of your shoes if they are put in a washing machine. Instead, use cleaning products specifically designed for shoe cleaning, which are both gentler and in many cases more effective.

How do you remove salt from shoes?

If you notice white salt streaks on your shoes, you should remove them immediately, otherwise they will degrade the leather and cause permanent damage. You will need to use something that dissolves the salt, such as Saphir salt and snow stain remover. Take a small amount of the product on a polishing cloth, or brush if the shoes are suede, and rub the area where you have salt stains. Let the shoes dry for a while, and then check that you have removed all the salt. If not, repeat the above procedure. Afterwards, it's necessary to treat the shoes with Saphir Medaille d'Or Crème Pommadier shoe cream, as the leather is now unprotected, or use a waterproofing spray if it's suede or nubuck.

How to dry wet shoes?

Moist shoes should be air-dried at room temperature, or outside in the shade if the temperature is above 15 degrees. Let it take its time, for example, leaving shoes in the sun for a long time or placing them near radiators or on underfloor heating will dry out the leather and make it more likely to crack. Place the shoes on the side to help the whole shoe dry faster.

How to prevent smelly shoes from foot sweat?

Smelly shoes are usually caused by not being allowed to dry properly between uses. All shoes benefit from a day's rest between wears to dry out completely, so make sure you always have at least two pairs of shoes to alternate between. Damp shoes also wear out faster, so alternating between shoes means you'll have shoes that last longer, and won't risk smelling bad in the same way. Also, avoid wearing your shoes barefoot if you have a problem with odour, and if they are worn barefoot, use a special silk spray to cool, protect and reduce foot sweat.

If your shoes do smell, it may be a good idea to let them air out, preferably in the shade if it's above 15 degrees. Otherwise in a well-ventilated place indoors. Pick out any loose insoles and lay the shoes on their sides. Using a shoe deodoriser also kills bacteria, and adds a fresh scent.