The London Lounge

One of the great enemies of leather footwear is drying out, and that is why we take great care in the feeding of our shoes.... Yet when it comes to suede and nubuck I have yet to hear comments for the 'feeding' of such shoes. Why is this the case since both are leathers? Are they not susceptible to the same drying out process as other leathers? If not, why?

What I have been using to take care of such shoes are:
1) Crepe brush
2) Suede Eraser (if needed)
3) Suede brush (for thicker napped shoes if needed)
4) Saphir's Omni Daim cleaner/shampoo

Jan

Dear Jan,

I've employed the first three of the tools you listed (thanks for the tip about Saphir; I hadn't known of it). Additionally, I have very occasionally and very sparingly oiled the insides of suede shoes: my thought is, this will feed some of the most distressed leather while (I hope) not discoloring the visible leather. As yet, no shoe has suffered from this treatment; but, then, I don't really know whether any has benefitted.

Yours,

Robb

Dear Robb,

What oil did you use on the inside of the shoe? When you say "most distressed parts" do you mean where the shoe upper creases? My thinking on this case is that you may have moisturized the lining of the upper... not sure if it penetrated all the way to the upper layers. Did the oil residues come off on your sock?

Regards,
Jan

Dear Jan,

I employed L. L. Bean's "mink oil" (for non-American readers, L.L. Bean is a century-old outfitter in northern New England) -- though I'd expect most leather dressings to suffice -- working a thin coat well into the lining and waiting a few days before wearing the shoes (and after wiping the insides with a clean, soft, cotton rag -- almost no residue apparent). My thought, perhaps mistaken, is that some lubrication penetrated the lining to reach the back, at least (and probably no more, for I see no discoloration by oil), of the suede.

I've no indication that any oil transferred to my hose, though, of course, I'm not certain that I've used enough oil to make much difference.

Yes, the creases tended to take in more oil than other areas. That indicates to me that the oil was needed; but, again, I'm not knowledgeable enough about the matter to be sure of any benefit. I do think that this treatment hasn't harmed my shoes.

Yours,

Robb

Dear Robb,

You have brought out the heavy guns! Mink oil is potent! What is interesting is how you described the creased areas absorbing more than the surrounding... interesting... I may just give this a go. Although I will start off with a beeswax emulsion first.

Thanks
Jan