The popularity of suede shoes is easy to explain - it's beautiful. And although practicality inspires many doubts, suede does not lose relevance. Perhaps the opinion of the recognized trendsetter, Coco Chanel, who assured that suede items in the wardrobe indicate the delicate taste of the owner, plays a role here. However, a completely logical question arises: how to care for suede shoes in winter if the weather conditions are very harsh? Would it hurt expensive boots or elegant booties?
Winter Suede Problems
Absolutely safe weather for suede shoes is a dry period, which is almost impossible in urban conditions. Even if frost reigns, roads and sidewalks sprinkled with salt and special chemicals turn into rather caustic slush. That is why suede shoes for the winter may not be considered the best option - it is too disappointing to throw an almost new pair because of the irretrievably spoiled appearance.
Thin suede boots can easily let moisture through, stains from stubborn dirt, whitish stains from salt and reagents remain on them. However, this does not mean that suede is suitable only for indoor and rare warm dry days. With the right approach, even elegant and delicate- looking shoes can last a long time, pleasing the owner.
How to choose the right pair of shoes for the street
Despite the possible difficulties, many fashionistas choose suede boots, their care is perceived as a natural payment for an elegant appearance and comfort. However, in practice, the buyer may encounter the fact that insufficiently qualified sellers in shoe stores call all fleecy materials suede the shoes or boots are made of. Of course, nubuck can be confused with suede due to inexperience, these materials have a certain similarity, but at the same time they are seriously distinguished by their resistance to external adverse conditions.
Combined shoes with leather inserts in the most "strategic" places subject to friction show themselves perfectly in the process of wearing. If on the toes instead of the finest delicate suede there are inserts of oiled nubuck, then the appearance will not suffer, and the practicality of the pair increases significantly. At the same time, even very tender fully suede boots will last a long time, if you take care of putting them into operation correctly.
Preparing boots or boots for the winter
Natural untreated with special means suede easily absorbs water, and this is perhaps its main drawback. Before putting on new boots or suede shoes, it is recommended to carry out the initial treatment with water-repellent compounds. It is necessary to purchase a spray for primary processing in specialized stores, and cheapness is a sign of definitely poor quality. Three thorough treatments will be required before the first exit to the street, and after each application the steam needs to be completely dried under natural conditions. No need to put boots on the central heating battery, this will only harm the shoes.
After triple treatment with water-repellent, the question of how to care for suede shoes in winter, if it doesn’t disappear, then it definitely becomes not so sharp. It is recommended to stock up on special tools and compositions for caring for natural suede. You will need a brush, a hydrophobic spray, a spray of paint in tone (it is useful for tinting), struts on which suede shoes or boots are best dried or heating inserts to dry wet shoes.
Choosing Special Suede Care Products
Most often, in good shoe stores immediately offer to choose the appropriate care products, and the recommendations of experienced consultants can be trusted. However, in some cases, one has to look for shoe cosmetics separately. You can definitely trust brands like Salamander, TARRAGO, Twist, Saphir, Master, Kaps, Tradigo Giovanni. Before purchasing, check with the seller if it is possible to apply this or that type of shoe care products to your shoes - a separate line of care products is required for oiled (greased) nubuck.
At the moment, the right care for suede shoes is to follow simple rules: pre-treatment, only dry cleaning, thorough care for wet material. If you properly dry boots made of suede, then they will last a long time, retaining their elegant appearance.
Proper drying of suede shoes
If the winter shoes are wet, despite being impregnated with water-repellent compounds, then before you clean the gentle suede from dirt, you need to dry it. Otherwise, you can only rub the stains deeper or damage the soft fleecy outer layer. Timely care for suede shoes in winter begins with drying. No need to place injured boots or shoes near the heater, just fill them with paper, old newspapers or paper towels. You can insert special spacers, put special dryers in the shoes - they emit weak heat, sufficient for drying and not destroying the adhesive joint.
Only after complete drying can you start cleaning suede. Therefore, it is better to have several pairs of winter shoes so that you do not have to spoil elegant boots in a hurry.
Methods for dealing with dirt stains
After the boots or boots are completely dry, you can begin to eliminate pollution. It is easiest to get rid of winter slush and thawed snow in a dry form - you need to shake off the dirt with light movements. To do this, it is better to use a special brush or dry sponge. Only artificial suede can be washed with water ; natural suede can suffer. Sometimes it’s useful to hold the boots over the steam for several minutes, then even stubborn stains can be removed. Special erasers similar to clerical ones help a lot. Many people are interested in how to care for suede shoes in winter and at the same time not to waste too much time. However, if preventive measures have not helped , you can only clear suede in the manner described above.
How to remove salt stains from suede
The most unpleasant phenomenon that spoils the appearance of suede shoes is whitish streaks of salt and chemicals that sprinkle on the streets. You can give the shoes to the shoe shop, but not all provide professional cleaning services for expensive shoes. It is cheaper to care for suede shoes at home, improvised means. If you could not get rid of white stains with special cleaners, you can tint the surface. To do this, use a spray paint for suede.
Should I buy winter suede shoes?
Despite certain troubles associated with maintaining an attractive and well-groomed appearance, fashionable boots or suede ankle boots do not lose their relevance. This is an elegant element of the wardrobe, indicating a good taste, while the level of comfort in high-quality suede shoes is not the last of the decisive factors.
Before adding a new thing to your wardrobe, it is advisable to know in advance how to care for suede shoes in winter. Then it will be possible to immediately take into account the chores and decide whether you are ready for such sacrifices for the sake of fashionable boots.