Shoe Care Guide
Good leather lasts decades if it is looked after. None of this takes more than ten minutes a week.
How to clean leather shoes
- Remove the laces and put a shoe tree (or rolled newspaper) inside so the leather is taut.
- Brush off dust and dried mud with a horsehair brush, paying attention to the welt where the upper meets the sole. Nairobi and Nakuru dust settles there first.
- Wipe with a barely damp cloth, then let the shoes dry naturally — never next to a heater or in direct sun, which cracks leather.
- Condition once a month with a neutral leather cream, rubbed in with a soft cloth in small circles. Leave it 10 minutes, then buff.
How often to polish
For shoes you wear to the office, cream polish every 2–3 weeks and a quick buff with a brush after each wear. Wax polish adds shine and water resistance on the toe and heel — use it sparingly, and only on smooth leather.
- Match the polish to the leather, or go one shade lighter. Neutral is always safe.
- Apply thin coats with a cloth wrapped round two fingers; let each dry for a few minutes.
- For a mirror shine on the toe cap, add a drop of water to the wax and work in tiny circles.
How to store formal shoes
- Use cedar shoe trees. They absorb moisture and hold the shape — the single best thing you can do for a pair.
- Rotate. Leather needs 24 hours to dry out after a day's wear. Two pairs worn alternately outlast three worn every day.
- Keep them in cloth bags, not plastic, somewhere cool and dry. During the long rains, a sachet of silica gel in the cupboard stops mould.
Care by leather type
| Leather | Clean | Protect |
|---|---|---|
| Smooth calf oxfords, derbies, monk straps | Brush, damp cloth, cream polish | Wax on toe and heel |
| Patent evening & wedding shoes | Soft cloth with a little glass cleaner; never polish | Store apart — patent can stick to other leathers |
| Suede & nubuck loafers, moccasins | Suede brush and eraser only — no water, no cream | Suede protector spray before the first wear |
| Velvet slippers & smoking shoes | Lint roller and a soft clothes brush | Keep dry; brush with the pile, never against |
Choosing the right shoe care products
A starter kit is all most men need: a horsehair brush, a neutral cream polish, a cloth, and a pair of cedar shoe trees. Add a black and a brown wax once you own more than one colour, and a suede brush if you wear loafers or moccasins.
Not sure what your pair needs? Send us a photo on WhatsApp and we will tell you.
Shop shoe care → Ask on WhatsApp →
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