How to clean nubuck shoes? A practical guide

Do you appreciate elegance with a touch of nonchalance? Opt for nubuck shoes, which are distinguished by their delicate and slightly mesquite texture. The aforementioned footwear impresses with its appearance, but also requires proper care. Cleaning nubuck is quite a challenge, but you can cope with this task using our advice. By following a few elementary rules, you will give your footwear an impeccable appearance. Check out how to clean nubuck shoes to restore their former shine!

Contents:

• What is nubuck and why does it require special care?
• How to clean nubuck shoes - basic rules and mistakes to avoid
• How to take care of nubuck shoes after cleaning to make them last as long as possible?

What is nubuck and why does it require special care?

Nubuck is an extremely noble material, which is obtained from the top layer of natural leather. It is then subjected to gentle sanding, which makes its surface soft and velvety to the touch. Unlike suede, which comes from the lower part of the leather, nubuck is distinguished by its greater mechanical strength. Unfortunately, it remains equally susceptible to dirt and moisture.

Given the peculiarities of this unique material, it is worth knowing how to clean nubuck to prevent permanent damage. All it takes is a moment of inattention, the wrong preparation or too much water for your beloved shoes to lose their charm. By following a few rules, you will provide your nubuck shoes with proper care and prolong their life.

How to clean nubuck shoes - basic rules and mistakes to avoid

Cleaning nubuck shoes is a process that requires you to be patient and gentle. Below we have collected the most important rules you should follow to avoid damaging your favorite footwear.

• Avoid water, as too much moisture can cause stains and contribute to stiffening of the material. Nubuck is characterized by high absorbency. As a result, even a small amount of water leaves permanent, darker marks on it, which result in distortion of the leather structure. Before you reach for a cloth or sponge soaked in water, consider whether this decision will do you more harm than good. Do you want your nubuck shoes to serve you for as long as possible? Keep contact with water to a minimum and always use proper waterproofing.
• Brush your nubuck shoes dry. Use special accessories for this. Not every brush is suitable for this noble material. Opt for one that gently brushes the fibers without disturbing their structure. Regularly dry-cleaning nubuck shoes will remove dust and minor dirt from them. Thus, you refresh the appearance of the material and restore its natural softness.
• Do not use strong detergents, as these can damage the mesquite structure and change the color of the material. Dishwashing liquids and stain removers contain aggressive substances that react with the surface of nubuck. As a result, unsightly discoloration, dryness and permanent damage appear on shoes. Not sure how to clean nubuck shoes in a safe way? Opt for specialized foams designed for the care of this delicate material.
• Before using a new product, test it on an invisible part of the shoe. Each nubuck reacts slightly differently to cleaners and impregnators. Much depends on its color, finish and degree of wear. For safety reasons, perform the test on a barely visible part. This will assess whether the agent causes discoloration and changes the texture of the leather.

Cleaning nubuck shoes by home means - effective methods.

Simple ingredients from the kitchen, such as potato or apple cider vinegar, can become your allies in nubuck leather care. Learn some proven tricks to save your favorite shoes!

• Bread crust, which is dry, is considered an extremely gentle eraser for nubuck. Its texture subtly abrades and removes fine dirt without damaging the material. Gently rub the bread crust over the stain in circular motions. When you're finished cleaning, wipe the footwear with a dry cloth to get rid of the bread crumbs.
• Combine apple cider vinegar and water in a ratio of 1:1. Then soak a cloth in the resulting solution. Wipe the soiled area with it. Be careful not to soak the material, as nubuck does not like it. After cleaning your shoes, let them dry naturally. Do not expose them to the sun or a radiator.
• How to clean nubuck shoes with home methods? You can cut a raw potato in half. The starch that this popular vegetable contains will do a great job with the layer of dirt on the surface of the leather. Rub the inside of the potato over the soiled part of the shoe. Then wait a while for the footwear to dry before gently combing the leather with a special nubuck brush.

What to clean nubuck shoes - proven remedies and accessories.

While home methods of cleaning nubuck are sometimes helpful, nothing can replace professional preparations and accessories. What is worth having on hand?

• A double-sided brush with soft bristles will clean nubuck shoes. With its help you will remove dust, dirt and particles from them, without damaging the delicate texture of the material. The double-sided brush is a hit. With one side you will quickly clean larger surfaces. With the other, which is equipped with a rubber tip, you will reach hard-to-reach places, such as at seams, folds and embellishments. Remembering to brush regularly, you will restore the shoes to a neat appearance and refresh the moss characteristic of nubuck.
• A nubuck eraser will remove minor dirt from your shoes and restore their original appearance. With its help you will get rid of small dry stains, which were formed from dust, mud or road salt. Just rub the soiled areas with it, and the unwanted marks will disappear. The nubuck eraser perfectly deals with local discoloration. It restores the footwear to an even color and texture. It is an alternative to stronger cleaners.
• Cleaning foam for nubuck is gentle and effective. It does not damage the structure of the material. The ingredients contained in the preparation were selected so as not to discolor, soften or stiffen the leather. Apply a little foam to a soft cloth and gently wipe the shoe. The aforementioned agent will deal with greasy stains, dust and rain marks. When the footwear dries, comb it with a special brush and you will restore its original texture.
• Spray waterproofing is perfect to protect against moisture, salt and dust. It is a key preparation in the care of nubuck leather. The impregnant creates an invisible protective barrier on its surface. As a result, the material retains its aesthetic appearance for longer, as it does not absorb moisture. If you appreciate convenience, bet on a spray impregnator. You can easily spread it over the entire surface of the shoe in an even manner. Apply the product regularly, preferably after each cleaning. In addition, use the impregnator prophylactically before the autumn-winter season begins.

What to clean nubuck shoes after a walk? Opt for a professional kit for the care of this delicate leather, which includes the above-mentioned products.

How to take care of nubuck shoes after cleaning, so that they serve as long as possible?

Cleaning nubuck shoes is very important. If you want them to look impeccable for a long time, be sure to care for them properly.

• Regularly waterproof the shoes so that they do not absorb moisture. Ideally, you should do this after each cleaning and before the start of the season in which you plan to wear the shoes in question.
• Store your shoes in an airy place. Don't put them in plastic boxes, which promote moisture buildup.
• Use risers or fill the inside of the shoes with paper. With the aforementioned solutions you will prevent their deformation.
• Don't wear the same shoes every day. Give them a rest and they will serve you for a long time.

After reading our article, you already know how to clean nubuck and care for it. The key to success is regularity. If you react quickly to dirt, your shoes will retain their charm.