A PRODUCT FOCUS
How to take care of your FRAU shoes.
We thought we would give you some tips to help take care of your Frau shoes and make them last.
A new pair of shoes should never be worn for more than two to three hours on the first day, three to four hours on the second day, four to five hours on the third day, and so on until your feet are fully accustomed to them, at which point you will be ready to wear them all day long.
Leave a gap of at least twenty-four hours to allow the shoes to rest, so do not wear the same shoes for two days in a row.
To put the shoes on, we recommend using a shoehorn; this will make the counter and heel insert between the lining and upper more durable.
Creases in the leather can be avoided by using a suitable shoe tree after you have fitted the shoes. A shoe tree is also recommended for shoes that are not worn for a long time.
Do not dry wet shoes too close to heat sources. The leather will dry out quickly and become hard and cracked. With the toe resting on the floor and the shoe upright, put some paper inside and allow it to absorb the moisture.
Using insoles helps to make the shoes last longer by absorbing the humidity of the feet. It is, however, important to always remove them from your shoes to help them dry and air out.
To care for your shoes properly, you should first make sure what material they are made from: grain leather, nubuck leather, canvas... each material requires a specific product.
NABUCK
To keep the appearance of the material intact, regular maintenance is important for shoes made from nubuck leather. Brushing regularly and delicately with a soft brush will remove dust and reinvigorate the coat.
To protect the material from stains and water droplets, frequent waterproofing using the appropriate spray, which can be purchased from specialist retailers and department stores, is necessary: dispense the product 25-30 centimetres away from the shoe, then gently rub with a brush for even distribution. Using products specifically designed for cleaning nubuck leather, particularly for stain removal, is always recommended. The best choice is to use a special dry shampoo.
CANVAS – RAFFIA - FABRIC
Canvas does not require a great deal of effort: just a sponge, some water and some neutral soap.
Simply rub some onto the canvas of the shoe then rinse with a damp cloth.
You should dampen the canvas rather than soak it completely, then leave it to dry in the open air but well away from direct sunlight to prevent streaks from forming.
SUEDE
Suede is as stylish as it is delicate and, to preserve its characteristics over time, requires care and special products.
Use a soft brush to remove dirt, brush the material and reinvigorate the coat. With this type of shoe, you can also use a crepe rubber sole.
When used on an appropriately regular basis, a waterproofing spray will help to protect the suede from water droplets when it rains. Over time, the colour may fade, but if you use pigmented camoscina spray, you can restore the original appearance of the colour.
For persistent stains, we recommended contacting a shoemaker who will know how to best treat your shoes.
GRAIN LEATHER
Removing dirt and dust, cleaning, and applying shoe polish are steps that will help ensure that your leather shoes last longer.
Leather shoe polish is essential to keep your shoes as shiny as they were when you bought them and to nourish the leather. The colour should be similar to that of the leather itself; if you use a neutral polish, the shoes will darken. Using a soft-bristled brush, brush the surface of the shoe to remove any dust and dirt; if necessary, a special detergent can be used to remove small specks. Apply an adequate amount of polish—no need to overdo it—to a cotton cloth and spread it over the material: using delicate, circular movements will help distribute the polish over the entire surface.
Once it is absorbed, go over the material with a soft cloth one last time to remove any excess polish.
GRAIN LEATHER WITH POLISH
We do not recommend using leather shoe polish if the shoe itself has a special finish.
If the shoe has been treated with overtone creams that create a light-dark effect, applying polish will lessen this type of treatment or make it disappear altogether, making the colour of the shoe more uniform.
PATENT LEATHER
Patent leather shoes captivate people with their radiant sheen, and this can be preserved over time with regular maintenance.
To remove dust, we recommend using a soft microfibre cloth.
Polishing, however, requires the use of special products.
VELVET
Velvet is an elegant and delicate material. To maintain it over time, it is important that it does not come into contact with water or substances that could permanently stain it, like oil, detergents, etc.
Wipe a cloth over it to remove dust and restore the glossy finish or brush it very gently with an extremely soft-bristled brush to revive the texture of the velvet, without ruining it.
SHEEPSKIN
Sheepskin shoes have a suede exterior, so you should follow the same cleaning and care instructions for suede shoes.
Use a soft brush to remove dirt, brush the material and reinvigorate the coat. For minor scratches or stains, you can clean the material with putty or crepe rubber designed specifically for suede by gently rubbing the affected area to remove any imperfections.
Then, you need to go over the material with a brush to remove any traces of rubber and brush the suede.
You can clean the fur on the inside of the shoe by wiping it with a cloth dipped in water and delicate detergent. Do not use bleach. Leave the shoes to dry in the air and wait at least 24 hours before wearing them.
