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Expert Shoe Care Guide

The following outlines the process and application for the repair and maintenance for all types of leather products.

 

Cleaning

Prior to any leather maintenance, it is a good idea to remove any loose or stuck-on dirt. You can use any brush, but typically a large horse hair brush is soft enough to prevent any minor scratching. Any stubborn marks should be removed with warm water and leather allowed to dry completely prior to any further maintenance.  

 

For a deeper clean when there is more than superficial surface dirt, Saddle Soap or Reno’Mat are fantastic options. It is recommended that either product is used 1 or 2 times a year to remove any surface dirt and polish that has been applied to the leather. This step prevents the build up of creams and waxes which can limit the natural ability of the leather to 'breathe', in turn, drying out and developing odours.

 

When working with a large area, like a handbag, the Saddle Soap is more suitable. Using any cloth, run under water and remove excess water. Apply a small amount of soap to the leather using a circular motion. When finished, wipe down and allow to fully dry before proceeding to the next step.

 

Rejuvenation

Leather Conditioning with the Saphir Médaille D'or Renovateur helps keep the leather soft, supple and prevent cracking.

 

Apply in a circular motion using a polishing cloth. Leave for a minimum of 5 minutes (the longer the better) and buff using a polishing brush or polishing cloth. Creases and cracks in the leather will ‘fill out’ as the moisture in the leather is restored.

 

The Renovateur can also be used to clean the leather, however it does not provide as deep a clean as the Saddle Soap or Reno’Mat.

 

Repair

The Saphir Renovating Repair Cream can be applied directly to small scratches. Larger areas require the Renovating Repair Cream to be mixed with equal parts of the matching Saphir Pommadier Cream Polish.

 

When applying the cream, use a tiny amount of polish and spread out until you get a smooth finish. Allow to dry. If the edge of the repair is visible, you can reduce this by applying 1-2 coats of the Pommadier Cream Polish.

 

In some cases, this step can be skipped as the next colour step can provide more than adequate coverage for damaged leather.

 

Colour

Applying Cream Polish such as the Saphir Médaille D'or Pommadier helps further condition, saturate the colour and build a protective wax finish. You may require anywhere from 1-3 applications of cream polish in order to achieve your preferred colour saturation.

 

Apply a thin coat in a circular motion using a soft cloth. Allow to dry 3-5 minutes then buff with a polishing brush.

 

In regards to the colour, we sell a colour chart that makes it easy to match any shoe to a Saphir brand polish, otherwise the neutral polish can be used.