FAQ
- How often do I have to waterproof my shoes?
- Do I have to waterproof patent leather shoes?
- Can I treat patent leather shoes with normal shoe cream?
- Can I use leather shoe polish for furniture (leather or wood)?
- What's the difference between Suede and Nubuck materials?
- How do I remove a shoe polish stain?
- What was the first shoe polish made from?
1. How often do I have to waterproof my shoes?
That depends strongly on weather conditions and frequency of use. We recommend to waterproof them before wearing them for the first time and later between every 8th and 10th use.
2. Do I have to waterproof patent leather shoes?
Since patent leather has an impermeable surface, you do not need to waterproof it.
3. Can I treat patent leather shoes with normal shoe cream?
Normal shoe creams can leave streaks on the glossy surface of patent leather. Products such as Tana Patent Care have been developed especially for patent leather and do not only clean your shoes, but also give them a high gloss
4. Can I use leather shoe polish for furniture (leather or wood)?
We do not generally advise the use of shoe cleaning products on products made of leather or wood other than shoes. Use of even colourless leather shoe polish on wood can change its appearance due to the absorption of the polish by the wood..
Some shoe care products can be used on leather furniture but only if observing a few "do's" and "don"ts":
DO'S:
- For general cleaning and polishing use a colourless product (coloured products may be absorbed to give an uneven appearance to leather and may later be rubbed off into clothing).
- Apply evenly to small areas and buff quickly. If the product dries on softer materials it might be difficult to buff.
- Be aware that a newly polished area may look better than the non-treated areas. You may have to clean all of it so you will need time and plenty of product. If possible, try out first in a non-visible area.
DON'TS:
- Apply too much product.
- Allow the product to dry in cracks, seams etc. (dry product is visible and difficult to buff away from corners).
5. What’s the difference between Suede and Nubuck materials?
- Nubuck is prepared by roughening the surface of leather - almost always the outside of leather. It has a nap of short protein fibres and is quite resistant to stains and wear.
- Suede (daim) is (almost always) prepared by roughening the inside (flesh side) of leather. This causes a longer nap of protein fibres, which are, unless treated, very absorbent, easy to stain and easily damaged in normal wear
N. B. When treating suede or nubuck always complete the treatment by brushing with a suitable brush.
6. How do I remove a shoe polish stain?
There are several ways to remove a shoe polish stain. What's the best way depends on the material of the shoe. You should always consult the manufacturer. However, there are a few general actions that can be taken for materials such as clothing, carpets and furniture, as follows:
- Treat the stain as quickly as possible (old stains are usually more difficult to remove)
- If possible, never let a stain dry completely (it is almost always better to add a little water and detergent to keep it wet).
- Most shoe care products are coloured with dyes and/or pigments. If these are absorbed into a material (for example, wool, suede, soft leather) it is often impossible to completely remove the stain without damaging the material (for example, some dyed materials may lose colour or wool may become fluffy).
7. What was the first shoe polish made from?
The first shoe polish was a mixture of sugar, vinegar, black dye and water.