Care for nubuck shoes and features of use in the autumn-winter period

Basic rules for cleaning nubuck shoes, preparation

Nubuck is the processed leather of cattle, usually calves. It is distinguished from smooth leather by its finely fleecy surface. Compared to suede, another treated leather option, nubuck is soft and delicate. Not only shoes are made from it, but also handbags, belts, outerwear, and even upholstered furniture.

Nubuck shoes look presentable and expensive, are environmentally friendly, and also warm and breathable, which is why this material is so popular among fashionistas and fashionistas.

Cleaning nubuck is a very troublesome task, so you need to try to avoid getting your shoes dirty. Rainy weather, dirt, and dampness will completely ruin the shoes, since nubuck does not like moisture. If special shoe cleaning products are used, they should be intended only for nubuck. Products used to cleanse the skin will not work. In the shoe departments there are products and brushes suitable specifically for nubuck.

Wet shoes cannot be cleaned, so you need to dry them before cleaning. After this, all dirt is removed with a special brush, the soles and heels are wiped with a damp soft cloth or sponge. After cleaning, be sure to apply an impregnating agent of a characteristic color with a water-repellent effect. All movements must be careful and delicate, as there is a risk of removing dirt but damaging the delicate surface.

It is strictly forbidden to wash nubuck shoes either by hand or in a washing machine! Soaking is also prohibited! Cleaning and washing this material involves wet cleaning.

Proper handling of natural leather

Nubuck is a capricious material, so it is unacceptable not to spoil it:

• Dry near heating devices - deformation, cracks.
• Use plastic bags for storage - ventilation must be provided so that the skin can breathe.
• Cleaning a pair until it is completely dry will aggravate the degree of contamination; reagents and dirt will penetrate deeper into the pores of the nubuck.
• Apply special care compounds directly to shoes, except for aerosols. Distribute the product over a sponge, brush, and gently rub into the skin.
• Use regular soap for care, hair shampoos - aggressive alkali, parabens, chemical additives form stains and stains, they are difficult to remove.

Nubuck does not tolerate washing under running water. This will cause the pile to become knocked down, the skin pores will not allow air to pass through well, and the color will fade.

Handy products for cleaning nubuck

In addition to professional nubuck care products, which will be discussed later, improvised home remedies are also used. They can be used when dirty spots appear on shoes. By the way, it is very easy to get nubuck shoes dirty: just be outside in wet weather and dirt and droplets of water will remain on the surface. When water dries, it will leave salt stains, which are clearly visible on nubuck.

Ammonia

Only dry shoes can be treated with this product, otherwise the stain will be smeared and deeply absorbed under the influence of moisture. Before cleaning, remove dust from shoes with a brush. Then 10% ammonia is diluted in clean cold water in a ratio of 1 to 3. A cotton swab dipped in the solution is used to wipe the contaminated area. If necessary, the dirty swab is replaced with a clean one. In the absence of ammonia, ordinary vodka is used.

Salt

It is not advisable to clean nubuck with salt, as it leaves stains. But if there is a greasy stain on your shoes, then this product will effectively deal with it. Sprinkle a little salt on the surface and leave for several hours. The salt will absorb the fat. There is no need to grind the substance; after time has passed, simply carefully remove it from the surface. Treat the stain with ammonia, water or vinegar.

Vinegar

A vinegar solution is used to remove stains. Table vinegar is diluted in water (one tablespoon of product per liter of water). A cotton pad or soft cloth is soaked in the solution and the problem areas are wiped with it. As in other cases, shoes must be completely dry and free of dust.

When cleaning nubuck, movements should be directed in the direction of the pile, and then vice versa.

Cleaning boots correctly

To preserve the integrity of the top layer of the pair as much as possible, you need to adhere to a clear sequence:

1. To remove dust, use a special sponge and a well-wrung out soft cloth.
2. Drying the boots is a requirement for the top layer and insoles.
3. To get rid of streaks and stains, first treat the problem area with a brush, then you can use a special eraser for nubuck. A solution of vinegar and water in a ratio of 1:3 will help remove the stain.
4. Pumice - An abrasive stone can be used with caution to remove tough stains. There is a risk of scuffs and loss of the original shade.
5. Shampoo - for severe stains, prepare a solution of 1 part detergent and 2 parts water. Beat until a dense foam forms and apply to boots. Remove with a soft cloth and dry.
6. Painting, if necessary, is done using aerosols that do not need to be washed off.
7. Application of water-repellent composition.

When cleaning, do not press hard on the nubuck, as you can crush the pile too much and damage the integrity of the leather. Be sure to remove any remaining dirt in the gaps of the seams and avoid prolonged contact with water. Read the label on your shoes; some models can only be dry cleaned.

Professional cleaning products for nubuck

Available means for cleaning nubuck are not always suitable. Moreover, such shoes require daily care, and this can only be done with the help of special means. A complete set of care arsenal may not be cheap, but it will last a long time. Otherwise, you will have to buy other shoes, which are much more expensive.

The most popular products in the shoe market are the following brands:

• SALAMANDER (Spain);
• TARRAGO (Spain);
• COLLONIL (Germany);
• SALTON (Czech Republic).

The following products are always useful for care and cleaning:

In addition, to clean shoes you will need soft cloths or sponges.

When choosing a nubuck care product, be sure to read the instructions for use, storage conditions and expiration dates.

What products can be used for nubuck

It is easier to care for delicate skin at home if you purchase special products containing wax. These are impregnations that are applied to a cleaned surface. The base coating saves nubuck from the appearance of streaks, stains, the harmful effects of water, and aggressive reagents. You should not buy care products if the composition contains a large amount of fat, which reduces the breathability of the skin.

Stock up on special tools:

• Gum - will get rid of old stubborn stains, suitable for dry cleaning without water.
• Eraser - dense but not rough rubber carefully removes stains from the surface.
• Foam and shampoo for nubuck - quickly washes away salt stains and stains that cannot be removed with water, such as oil stains.
• Air conditioning - will get rid of the unpleasant odor in the interior space of the couple.
• Silicone-free waterproofing spray - will create a water-repellent film on the surface.

There are popular cosmetics on the market that protect delicate nubuck. These are professional products for protection and daily care. Collonil Shampoo forms a dense foam that copes with old stains and darkening. Collonil Nubuk paints will return the rich shade to the couple and protect them from dirt. A popular line of special leather products is produced by Salton, Saphir, All Combi, Kiwi.

How to clean white nubuck shoes

Not everyone will risk buying shoes made of light, and even more so, white nubuck, because they require careful care. Most often, people buy such shoes for going out, but even after wearing them once, you can put a stain on them. If the stain is too deep and noticeable, you can get rid of it, but it is unlikely to return the original color. To clean light nubuck use:

• Soft stationery eraser. They can remove surface contaminants that are not deeply ingrained. You need to gently rub the problem area without strong pressure. Then shake off any remaining dirt with a damp cloth.
• Manicure file. If a stain appears, rub gently over the area.
• Talc or chalk. These products can be used to clean greasy stains on nubuck of any color. The powder is applied to the stain and left for at least half an hour. After which it is carefully swept away with a brush, and the shoes are wiped with a damp cloth.
• Steam treatment. Hold the shoes over a container of boiling water for one minute. Then rub the contaminated area with a brush and dry.

Do not dry nubuck shoes with a hairdryer, iron or near a radiator! Nubuck is a treated leather that can shrink when exposed to heat.

Features of daily care of nubuck shoes

Regular daily care can extend the life of nubuck shoes. Caring for nubuck is not at all difficult, the main thing is to get into the habit of the following actions:

• After wearing shoes, you need to immediately dry them, clean them of dust and dirt with napkins and a brush, and then treat them with special products;
• Completely clean shoes are treated daily with a water-repellent aerosol and then dried;
• You cannot treat your shoes with the product just before going outside;
• Winter shoes need to be treated with aerosol and impregnation at the same time, this will protect the boots from getting wet;
• Every day you need to comb the pile with a special brush;
• No need to use shoes during rain or snow;
• Shoes should be stored in a cardboard box or textile case in a dry place;
• If the shoes have not been worn for some time, periodically you need to remove them from the box, take them out into the fresh air for a couple of hours, and dry them with wads of newspaper placed inside;
• Car drivers should use automatic heels.

It is forbidden:

• Use ointment or shoe polish;
• Wash the product under tap water;
• Use soap or washing powder when cleaning;
• Store shoes in plastic bags without air access.

Usually people think that nubuck and suede are the same material, and therefore they can use the same care products. This is wrong. Nubuck is a very delicate material compared to suede and some products will only harm it.

It is important to know!

If you don’t want to irrevocably ruin an expensive pair of nubuck shoes, you need to learn certain rules that will help you achieve the desired effect. We have put together some tips that will tell you how to properly care for nubuck shoes. Follow the recommendations - then the result of the care will pleasantly surprise you.

• Any manipulations to care for shoes can be carried out only after the material has completely dried;
• Under no circumstances should you dry your shoes or bag near a radiator or heater - this is a sure way to destroy the fabric;
• Use only specialized products designed specifically for this type of fabric;
• You should not apply products directly to the surface when caring for boots; it is better to squeeze a small amount onto a soft sponge;
• Any treatment must be carried out in advance - you should not do this before going outside;
• The product must be cleaned daily!

Here we will tell you how to remove grease stains from nubuck quickly and easily!

Finally, the last piece of advice is that caring for oiled nubuck or other material will become much easier if you do not wear boots in wet, rainy and slushy weather.

How to restore “dead” shoes

Nubuck shoes lose their attractiveness and presentability when they fade and form so-called bald spots - abrasions. Special spray dyes of the appropriate color will update the appearance of the shoes. If the shoes look too “dead”, try applying a dye to the nubuck that is a shade darker than the color of the shoes.

You can straighten the pile and restore elasticity by holding the shoes over boiling water for several minutes. The color of dark shoes returns after rubbing them with a crust of bread. Brown shoes can be refreshed by rubbing problem areas with coffee grounds. Scuffs can be eliminated after manipulation with a rubber eraser, a toothbrush or a piece of pumice.

It must be remembered that movements and pressures must be very delicate. If this does not help, all that remains is to take the shoes to a restoration workshop.

Nubuck shoes look chic on your feet. But this chic is achieved through regular and careful care of the capricious material. Therefore, if you are not ready to take care of your shoes every day, then it is better to opt for less demanding suede or leather.

Features of the material

Nubuck has recently appeared on the wide market and many people mistakenly confuse it not only with suede, but also with thick textured fabric. However, this material is leather, but due to the peculiarities of its processing, nubuck has a certain set of properties that are not typical for suede or leather in the classical sense. The material is very pleasant to the touch, has a fine pile and can be either natural or artificial.

The main advantages of nubuck can be considered:

• High oxygen permeability. The material prevents increased sweating at high temperatures and provides excellent warmth at low temperatures.
• A new pair, with proper care, retains its original appearance for a long time, but is very sensitive to the environment.
• The shoes do not stretch when worn and are not prone to cracking
• Products made from nubuck go well with any clothing and look expensive and attractive.
• Shoes made of this material do not tolerate moisture, so they require special care and are not suitable for use in rainy weather.

INFORMATION:

Artificial nubuck perfectly repels moisture and does not deteriorate when exposed to rain, but feet in such shoes sweat a lot due to the lack of oxygen permeability.