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Caring for Your Leather and Suede FootwearSince 1955, Maine-based and family-owned Eastland Shoe has been handcrafting quality leather boots and shoes for men and women. Eastland's casual footwear is made from quality tanned leathers. To retain the natural character of the full grain leather, minor color variations, briar marks and scratches have not been buffed. Natural fats and oils contained within the leather may surface as a white film on the outside of a new shoe. This "bloom" is a natural mark of quality and can be cleaned with a damp cloth. Occasionally, some colors will transfer from the leathers to socks. Our customers often ask us how to care for their leather and suede shoes and boots to keep them looking their best season after season. Eastland shoes are made for long lasting comfort and durability, but you can lengthen the lifetime and improve the fit of your new footwear with a few simple tips. Here are our recommendations, from the ground up: * Leather Soles Leather Uppers: Cleaning and Waterproofing Silicone sprays form a protective layer, are quick, and won't alter coloration. But sprays require frequent applications and can ultimately crack the leather by not allowing it to breathe. On light-colored leather, we suggest Meltonian Water & Stain Protector or Kiwi Protect-All; these won't change the leather's hue. Application of a water-repelling cream several times a season provides extra protection with minimal discoloration. Most contain natural oils, beeswax, and/or silicone (which, when applied in this manner, better allows a shoe to breathe). Waterproofing with beeswax is a labor-intensive process (you'll need a hairdryer for proper application) and will darken leather, but it's also the longest lasting and one of the most effective methods. True waterproofing comes only from mink oil, but there are major downsides: significant darkening and, ironically, leather damage in the long run. Suede Uppers: Cleaning and Waterproofing Remember, Different Materials Require Different Treatments Keeping Your Leather Footwear in Shape Shoe Repair Canvas Shoe Care Tips from Eastland ShoeMaterials needed: To clean the canvas: To clean the outsole: ***Allow 12-24 hours to dry completely*** **We recommend that if you do decide to use a polish or waterproofing product on your shoes that you first test it on a small area that is not very visible. *Note: Eastland does not endorse any shoe care products or brands. We recommend first testing any products on a small area of your footwear. Please contact our Customer Service Team at 1-888-988-1998 or Contact Us via email with any shoe care questions or concerns. |