How you keep work shoes in pristine condition partly depends on the materials from which they are made. Here we advise on the maintenance of work shoes and offer specific tips on how to keep leather work shoes, Gore-tex work shoes, and nubuck and suede work shoes in great shape.
Daily maintenance of work shoes
The following guidelines for daily maintenance apply to all types of work shoes:
- Remove dirt, sand or mud with a brush or cloth. Not only do contaminants affect the quality, but they can also be dangerous when the profile of the sole silts up.
- Allow wet work shoes to dry thoroughly, preferably in an airy place, but never on a radiator or in direct sunlight, as this can dry out the leather. Remove laces and insoles and stuff wet shoes with newspaper to speed up drying.
- It is ideal to have two pairs of work shoes so that they have time to air out and dry properly.
- Store work shoes in a dry, well-ventilated place.
Monthly maintenance of work shoes
In addition to daily maintenance, work shoes also require a regular “major overhaul”, for example, once a month. The monthly treatment depends on the shoe material.
Leather work shoes
It’s crucial to treat leather work shoes with leather grease. This prevents the leather from drying out and cracking and increases water repellency. After you have thoroughly cleaned the shoes, apply leather grease with an application brush. Do this in a constant circular motion. Let the grease soak in for a while, and polish the shoe with a polishing brush, which ensures an even spread of the grease. Leather work shoes with a Gore-tex lining require special attention. Treat such shoes with leather gel instead of leather grease. The Gore-Tex lining ensures that the foot can breathe and that the work shoe is water-repellent at the same time. If you treat these shoes with leather grease, you can accidentally close the pores of the leather, and the Gore-Tex lining loses its purpose.
Gore-tex work shoes
There is a special wax and an impregnation spray for Gore-tex work shoes. After cleaning, rub the wax into the material using a cloth or sponge. Let it soak in well and spray with impregnation spray to ensure water repellency. Pay particular attention to the seams and edges.
Nubuck and suede work shoes
It is better not to use leather grease for nubuck and suede work shoes because this ruins the beautiful appearance of the material. Instead, use a special nourishing leather gel that moisturizes nubuck and suede yet doesn’t compromise the finish. When it is necessary to impregnate the shoes – if you see that moisture no longer runs off the shoe – do this before applying the leather gel. Otherwise, the spray will not penetrate the material. Apply the leather gel in small amounts with a cloth. Let the gel soak in and dry well. For the external, you can then treat the shoes with a special brush with brass bristles to maintain the effect of the material.
