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Shoe care (3)
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The right care extends the life of your barefoot shoes. Discover Be Lenka cleaning products, waterproofing sprays and accessories that keep footwear clean, protected and ready for any weather even after many kilometres.
Regularity decides, not time
Shoe care can be a nuisance now and then, even though it really takes minutes. The key is to do it continuously. Wipe off the dirt as soon as you get back, let the pair dry naturally and renew the protection from time to time. Dried mud and road salt give far more work than fresh dirt and can damage the material. Five minutes a week extends the life of the shoes by whole seasons. It’s the cheapest investment in footwear you’ll ever make.
Cleaning according to the material
Every surface calls for a slightly different approach. Clean smooth leather with a damp cloth and, as needed, treat it with a suitable cream or conditioner that helps preserve its suppleness. For smooth leather and oiled nubuck, especially in winter or outdoor footwear, the natural pedag Leather Wax with beeswax and carnauba wax nourishes the leather and waterproofs it at the same time. With suede and nubuck, always start with dry cleaning using a brush, which helps remove dirt and restore the nap. Alternatively, reach for products intended specifically for brushed leather. Avoid soaking it, however. Textile and synthetic materials can be cleaned with a soft brush and a suitable cleaning foam. Universally, for most surfaces, the pedag Combi Set 3-in-1 with sponge cleaning set will serve. With membrane footwear, avoid aggressive, greasy or otherwise unsuitable products that could reduce the breathability or the functionality of the material. If you’re not sure, always start with the gentlest method of cleaning.
Waterproofing: when and how often
Apply the waterproofing before the season and then continuously, roughly two to three times during it. Always onto a clean and dry surface, otherwise dirt stays under the protective layer. For most materials, including membranes, the universal Collonil Carbon Pro waterproofing spray is suitable. Apply the spray from a reasonable distance, in a thin even layer, and let it dry naturally, not near a heat source. How do you know the protection is working? By the droplets that stay on the surface. When they start soaking in, it’s time to treat the material with another layer.
Drying and storage out of season
The radiator is footwear’s greatest enemy. Fast drying near a heat source dries out the leather, deforms the shape and breaks down the glued joints. Stuff a soaked pair with absorbent paper, take out the insole and let it dry at room temperature. Before storing, clean the footwear, treat it and put it in a dry place away from direct sunlight. Replaceable shoe insoles, which protect the interior throughout the season, are a good addition to the kit.
Can barefoot footwear be washed in a washing machine?
+ -We don’t recommend it. Washing breaks down the glued joints, deforms the shape and damages the reinforcements and membranes, so you shorten the life of the shoes by whole seasons. Even with textile models, hand cleaning with foam and a brush is gentler. If the shoes really need a thorough clean, do it carefully and let them dry slowly at room temperature.
Will waterproofing reduce the breathability of the material?
+ -A quality waterproofing product doesn’t seal the breathability; it creates a thin layer that repels water and lets the material breathe. The problem is caused rather by too large an amount of spray applied or by an unsuitable product. Stick to a thin even layer and to products intended for the given type of material.
How often should leather barefoot footwear be treated?
+ -With everyday wear, nourishing with a cream or a wax according to the type of leather is enough, once every three to four weeks, and somewhat more often in winter. Leather is a natural material that dries out, and dried-out leather cracks at the flex points. A short treatment keeps it supple and it will age beautifully. If the footwear is covered in road salt, wipe it off as soon as possible; salt harms leather the most.