Saphir is a world leader in quality shoe care, and has developed a variety of products for washing and cleaning with different properties. To make it extra clear what the differences are between the various products, and what they should be used for, we have put together this easy-to-understand guide (also including our cleaning products from other brands).
For more information about each product and more detailed information on how to use them, click on the Go to product links. It's important that after using one of the cleaners, other products should always be used for care, recolouring and protection (the only exception is the Renovateur suede spray where this is not necessary). Further down the page you will also find some examples of different types of shoes and situations where we give examples of what product(s) to choose.
Cleaning products for regular smooth leather and embossed grain leather
Listed from the mildest product up to the most effective
SAPHIR MEDAILLE D'OR CREME RENOVATEUR
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About the product: A gentle cleaner that dissolves simpler dirt while nourishing, and also provides some protection and shine. Used when you feel that the shoe needs to be moisturized and/or need a quick cleaning, a few times a year as a rule.
For these materials: Regular smooth leather and embossed grain leather.
How to use: Apply with a polishing cloth, then brush off with shoe brush.
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SAPHIR MEDAILLE D'OR LEATHER CLEANSER
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About the product: A brand new Saphir cleaning product, which is a bit like an Omninettoyant (see below) but for regular leather. An effective yet gentle cleaning, which is very easy to use. Dissolves dirt but not so much shoe polish, and opens the pores to make them susceptible to new caring substances. Use when the shoe gets dirty and needs a quick cleaning, can be several times a month or just every now and then depending on how the shoes are used.
For these materials: Reguar smooth leather, embossed grain leather and cordovan.
How to use: Apply to a polishing cloth that you rub your shoe with, then allow to dry.
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SAPHIR LEATHER SOAP
About the product: A traditional leather soap, which is mainly used for milder deep cleaning where you work up a lather and rinse the whole shoe in water. Used once a year when the shoe needs a more proper wash from dirt, or more often if the shoes are exposed to a lot of dirt, choose between this and gall soap.
For these materials: Works on all materials, both smooth leather, suede, nubuck and even textiles (although it's mainly intended for leather materials).
How to use: With a brush, a lather is worked up, which is then rinsed off with water.
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GALL SOAP
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About the product: Natural cleaning product that works great for leather cleaning. For deep cleaning. Mainly removes grease and dirt, to some extent shoe polish. Use once a year when the shoe needs a more proper wash from dirt, or more often if the shoes are exposed to a lot of dirt, choose between this and Saphir leather soap.
For these materials: Smooth leather, suede, nubuck and textile.
How to use: Use the soft side of a damp sponge to work up a latter, rinse afterwards.
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SAPHIR / AVEL HUSSARD STAIN REMOVER LIQUID
About the product: A very effective stain remover which removes all types of stains: grease, soot, polish, tar, paint, chewing gum, glue etc, without leaving a residual ring. Purpose is not to clean an entire product with it, but only get rid of specific stains.
For these materials: Smooth and velvety leather, fabric, stone, glass and car bodies, etc.
How to use: Moisten a clean cloth with the Saphir Hussard and dab the stain, beginning by the rim. If necessary, repeat this step using a new clean spot on the cloth.
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SAPHIR RENOMAT
About the product: A more efficient cleaning that partly removes dirt, but above all dissolves old shoe cream and wax polish. Used to "strip" the shoes clean before starting to build new layers of cream and wax, usually once a year. Dries out the leather a bit.
For these materials: Regular smooth leather and embossed grain leather.
How to use: Use a cloth and rub with hard pressure, the more rounds the more cream and wax will dissolve.
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SAPHIR DECAPANT
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About the product: Even more powerful cleaning that is used to strip shoes completely clean from shoe cream, wax and even leather dye, especially before painting with new dye. Dries out the leather a lot.
For these materials: Regular smooth leather.
How to use: With a cloth, the product is rubbed over the shoe several times until all remnants of cream, wax and leather dye (if on the surface) are gone.
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Products to clean suede, nubuck and textile
Listed from the mildest product up to the most effective
SAPHIR MEDAILLE D'OR RENOVATEUR SPRAY
About the product: A suede spray that dissolves light dirt while containing nourishing substances, recolours and acts as a protective impregnation. Used maybe every other month, more often during, for example, winter or when the shoes are exposed to more weather and wind.
For these materials: Suede and nubuck.
How to use: Spray all over the shoe, which is done outdoors, after 10-15 minutes they are gently brushed up with suede brush or shoe brush.
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SAPHIR MEDAILLE D'OR OMNINETTOYANT
About the product: An effective, yet gentle cleaning for mainly suede, nubuck and textiles. Can be used for faster, skin-deep cleaning, as well as deep cleaning under running water. Quick cleaning is done several times a year, a more thorough deep cleaning maybe a couple of times a year.
For these materials: Suede, nubuck and textile.
How to use: Can be used both for simpler cleaning where you work up a latter with a moist brush, or for deep cleaning under running water.
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Cleaning products for sneakers
SHOE SHAME WIPE AND WALK CLEANING WIPES
About the product: Cleaning wipes for quick and easy making your sneakers look better. Removes simpler stains, dust and more. To carry with you in your bag or lying at home for regular use when the sneakers need to be tidy.
For these materials: Regular smooth leather, embossed grain leather and textiles.
How to use: Wipe stains or the entire shoes with the wipe, which is then discarded.
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TARRAGO FACTORY WASC! SNEAKERS SUPER CLEANSER
About the product: Developed for sneakers, but works just as well to clean other shoes or products as well (we know many use it as a stain remover for their clothes, for example). Kind of a miracle product, extremely effective on all materials, both leather, suede, textile, rubber. Despite its very powerful cleansing properties, the product is gentle on the material, and in addition the bottle doesn't contain gas and the main ingredient is an eco-certified substance, simply the best from several worlds. With WASC! super cleaner, you can wash all your shoes quickly and easily, even the white rubber soles will be free of dirt.
For these materials: Works on all materials, ordinary leather, suede, nubuck, textile, rubber and so on.
How to use: Spray on a moist stiff brush and work up a lather, rub shoes thoroughly, wipe off with a damp cloth.
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Cleaning products for specific purposes
SAPHIR SNOW AND SALT STAIN REMOVER
About the product: Specially designed to dissolve salt stains, which can cause serious damage to leather if not removed. Use as soon as you get salt stains on the shoes.
For these materials: Regular smooth leather, embossed grain leather, suede and nubuck.
How to use: Use a cloth or a suede brush and rub the salt stain with the product to dissolve.
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Examples of different types of shoes / leather goods and situations and which products to choose
Black leather shoes in regular smooth leather that have received some marks, have some dirt stains and start to look a bit greyish.
Wash with Saphir Medaille d'Or Leather Cleanser, then nourish and protect with the Saphir Medaille d'Or Crème Pommadier shoe cream in black and if you want extra shine also Saphir Pate de Lux wax polish.
Women's boots in dark brown suede that have received a salt stain, and which also have some ingrown dirt.
Remove the salt with Saphir Snow and salt stain remover, then wash the whole shoe with Saphir Medaille d'Or Omninettoyant, and spray with dark brown Saphir Renovateur spray. If you want extra protection, you end with Saphir Super Invulner.
Chelsea boots in brown leather that have been worn the entire autumn and become really dirty, with a lot of dirt and heavy marks.
Wash your shoes properly with Saphir leather soap or gall soap, then nourish the shoes carefully with the Saphir Medaille d'Or Crème Pommadier shoe cream and if you want extra gloss also the Saphir Pate de Lux wax polish.
A medium brown leather bag that got a greasy stain on hon of the handles.
Use a stain remover that can dissolve the grease, like Saphir / Avel Hussard Stain Remover Liquid or perhaps Saphir Renomat. Apply on a clean cloth, rub the stain quite hard, let air dry. Repeat if necessary.
White sneakers that have dirty, slightly yellowed sole edges and some spots on the upper part.
Clean the shoes with Tarrago Factory WASC! Sneakers Super Cleaner so they are clean and nice, then use the Tarrago Factory Sneakers Total White to get the sole edge white again, and preferably also with the shoe cream Saphir Medaille d'Or Crème Pommadier in white if they are in leather.
Light brown brogues in leather that have a lot of cream and waxes built up during several years, where these layers also have started to crack.
Strip off all old cream and wax with Saphir Renomat, then nourish the shoes carefully with the Saphir Medaille d'Or Crème Pommadier shoe cream and if you want extra shine also the Saphir Pate de Lux wax polish.