Luxury shoes enhance your gait and add elegance to your look. You need to be extra careful with your branded shoes because all luxury items need special care. This customer-friendly shoe cleaning guide walks you through simple steps that protect leather, suede, nubuck, patent, and fabric uppers. If you find the tips overwhelming, you can trust Big Bubbles Laundry for shoe cleaning as we have the expertise to clean all types of shoes.
In this blog, you will get shoe care tips that will help you maintain shoes for a long time. You will also understand the process: how to clean suede shoes.
Identifying the Shoe Material
Before you touch water or cleaner, you must look at the label or product page for material details. Every pair of shoes has different requirements. Smooth calfskin likes gentle cleaners and conditioners. On the other hand, suede and nubuck need dry methods first. Also remember, patent leather has a shiny coating that scratches easily. Fabric and satin are spot-clean only.
You can arrange a simple home kit which will help you with shoe care and maintenance:
- Soft horsehair brush (for leather)
- Suede brush + suede eraser (for suede/nubuck)
- Microfiber cloths
- Mild leather cleaner or saddle soap (for smooth leather only)
- Neutral, pH-balanced leather conditioner
- Cream polish (colour or neutral) and a small hard wax (optional shine)
- Cedar shoe trees
- Protective spray for suede/fabric
Tip 1: Brush Away Dust and Grit
Dry brushing is the safest first step. It lifts dirt out of seams and away from stitching so you don’t rub grit into the surface later. You can use a horsehair brush on leather with light, quick strokes. If you want to know how to clean suede shoes, there is a tip. You can use a dedicated suede brush and move with the nap. This simple habit makes every other step easier.
Tip 2: Spot Test Every Product
Different finishes react differently to cleaners and polishes. Place a tiny amount on an unseen area like the inside tongue or heel. Let it dry. Then you can check the colour and texture in natural light. If you see darkening, haze, or colour lift, you must switch products or use it less. With a 30-second test, you can save a pair.
Tip 3: Clean by Material
Every material needs its own care. You will have to brush first, keep water low, and match the method to the shoe: leather likes a light wipe and gentle cleaner; suede stays mostly dry with brushing and a quick eraser; patent prefers a clean microfiber; fabric or satin is spot-clean only. If you are not sure how to clean, the Big Bubbles team can tell in seconds and treat each pair the right way.
Tip 4: Dry the Right Way
If your shoes get wet, remove the laces and any removable insoles. Then blot it with paper towels, and insert cedar trees or plain paper to hold the shape. After that, let them air-dry at room temperature with good airflow. Also, keep away from hairdryers, and direct sun because heat can warp leather, weaken glue, and cause cracking.
Tip 5: Condition on a Simple Schedule
Leather is skin, so it dries. After cleaning, work in a tiny dab of neutral conditioner with a soft cloth, let it soak for a minute, then brush to a gentle glow. Do this every 8 to 12 wears, and more often in hot, dry weather or after salty streets. Your shoes will stay supple and crease less.
Tip 6: Easy Polish for Lasting Shine
Use cream first, then add wax only if you want extra shine. Cream brings back colour and nourishes the leather. Apply a thin, even coat, match the colour or use neutral, let it set, then brush to a soft glow. For a glossier toe and heel or a little more protection, add a very light layer of hard wax and buff. Keep coats thin. Too much product can dull the finish.
Tip 7: Use Cedar Shoe Trees After Every Wear
Slip cedar trees in within 15 minutes of taking your shoes off. They draw out moisture, reduce odour, and gently smooth light creases while the leather is still warm. This one habit dramatically improves shape retention and extends life. If you rotate pairs, shoes also get a full day to rest between wears.
Tip 8: Add Smart Protection
With Big Bubbles Laundry’s luxury shoe care tips, you can protect your shoes:
- Outsoles & heels: If you do a lot of pavement walking, ask a cobbler to add thin rubber protectors (toppies) to leather soles and replace heel tips early. Small, early fixes cost less than midsole repairs later.
- Edges & hardware: Before you polish, tape the welts and any metal parts so they don’t get stained.
- Protective sprays: On suede and fabric, use a light protector. Two thin coats are better than one heavy coat. Reapply after rain or dusty days.
Tip 9: Store Cool, Dark, and Ventilated
You should keep shoes in a cool, dark, airy space because the sun fades colour. Also, heat and humidity age leather. You can use breathable dust bags or vented boxes, with cedar shoe trees inside. It helps to hold shape and absorb moisture. If your closet is humid, you can add silica packs. Don’t use sealed plastic bins because they trap moisture. If you are taking a long break, you should brush them, lightly condition the leather, then store.
Tip 10: Get Help from a Professional Shoe Cleaner
Some issues are better handled by experts. Your delicate pairs may need special treatment from a light cleaning to dry cleaning or high-end laundry care. Smart care now keeps your favourite shoes looking luxurious every time you wear them.
Book Shoe Cleaning with Big Bubbles
With these luxury shoe care tips, you can maintain your shoes safely and extend their life. If you are overwhelmed with more important things or you want expert cleaning, Big Bubbles is here to support you. Book our premium laundry or specialist shoe cleaning service for your delicate pairs, wedding shoes, or high-value sneakers. We will look at the material and do the best treatment.
FAQs
- Is it okay to wash my expensive shoes in the washing machine?
No, if they are made of leather, suede, nubuck, or patent. The washer can bend them or take off the finish. Gently clean by hand. If you are unsure, you can hand it to us and we will do the shoe cleaning the safe way.
- My shoes got wet. What should I do?
Take out the water. Remove the laces and insoles. Use paper or cedar trees to fill it. Let them dry at room temperature. You can condition leather or re-brush suede once they are dry.
- How often do I need to polish and condition?
After each use, give them a quick brush. Condition leather every 8 to 12 times you wear it. If you live with heat or AC all day, you should do it more often. When the colour looks dull, use cream to polish it. You can add a little wax if you want more shine.
- What is the best way to clean suede without damaging it?
Do the work dry first. Lightly brush. Use an eraser made of suede to get rid of marks. If it still needs more cleaning, use a small amount of suede cleaner. Let it dry, and then brush it again. Keep the water level low. After that, you can spray a light protector.
