The Ultimate Guide to Shoe Care: Extend the Life of Your Shoes.

The Ultimate Guide to Shoe Care: Extend the Life of Your Shoes and Keep Them Beautiful.

At Sissa Sorella, we take pride in our collection of beautiful shoes and it’s just as important to us that our customers get the most wear out of their beloved footwear as possible. In this guide, we will share some of our practical advice on shoe care to help you extend the life of your shoes and maintain their appearance.

The Importance of Shoe Care:
With a little attention to shoe care you can maximise the life of your footwear. Regular cleaning and maintenance will keep your shoes looking beautiful:

• After wearing and before storage remove loose dirt and debris with a soft brush or cloth.
• Use appropriate cleaning products and techniques for your shoe material (see below).
• Polish, condition, or treat your shoes as recommended according to material type to maintain their appearance and minimise aging as much as possible.
• We recommend you hold onto your packaging boxes and shoe stuffing for storage of “sometimes” shoes. Store your shoes with the original packaging or in your own boxes.

Preserving Leather Shoes:
Leather shoes deserve special attention to retain their timeless beauty but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. As a natural material leather is susceptible to stretching, creasing, scuffing and staining and all of these things happen more quickly if your leather shoes get wet - whether that’s from wet weather or from your feet sweating (sorry all our feet sweat!). So our main advice for looking after any kind of leather shoe is to keep them clean and keep them dry!

• At Sissa Sorella we will spray your leather shoes with water protectant before you take them home. You can also purchase your own if you would like to repeat this process at home every few months (after cleaning).
• Try to rotate your shoes so you are not wearing the same pair all the time. This will give your shoes time to dry out between wears.
• Clean and condition your leather shoes regularly to prevent drying and cracking.
• Apply a neutral leather shoe conditioner to maintain its appearance and protect against moisture. We recommend Waproo Zorbal Leather conditioner.
• Use a shoe horn to prevent damaging the heel when putting on your shoes.
• When storing, or if your leather shoes get wet, use your packaging or a shoe tree inside while they are drying to help them maintain their shape.

Nurturing Suede and Fabric Shoes:
Suede and fabric shoes require gentle care to keep them looking fabulous:

• At Sissa Sorella we will spray your suede and fabric shoes with water protectant before you take them home. You can also purchase your own if you would like to repeat this process at home every few months (after cleaning).
• Gently brush suede shoes regularly to remove dirt and restore their texture.
• Use a specialised suede cleaner or spot treatment for stains on fabric shoes or see a local cobbler that can help. In Canberra we recommend Joe’s Boots in Kingston for specialised cleaning.
• Protect your suede and fabric shoes regularly with a waterproof spray to guard against moisture and stains. We recommend Waproo Water and Stain Spray.

Sneakers
We understand that your leather sneakers are probably the most used pair of shoes in your wardrobe. In order to keep them looking fresh and fabulous for longer;

• At Sissa Sorella we will spray your suede and fabric sneakers with water protectant before you take them home. You can also purchase your own if you would like to repeat this process at home every few months (after cleaning).
• Gently brush suede sneakers regularly to remove dirt and restore their texture or,
• For leather sneakers clean and condition your leather shoes regularly to prevent drying and cracking.
• There are multiple sneaker cleaners on the market. We recommend Waproo.
• Fabric sneakers may be washed in the washing machine. If they are a white fabric sneaker, fill a bucket of water and add a capful of napisan. Soak over night. Remove laces and footbeds, place sneakers in a fabric bag, and on a gentle cool water cycle. Allow to dry naturally outside.
• If your sole is white and you would like to maintain the white colour, we recommend using a Chux Magic Eraser sponge. Dampen the sponge and wipe around the sole.

Storage and Protection:
How you store your shoes between wears is important for prolonging the life of your shoes:

• Keep your shoes in a well-ventilated area away from extreme temperatures and sunlight.
• Use shoe trees or stuffing to maintain their shape.
• Store your shoes in individual dust bags or boxes to prevent scuffs and scratches.
• Only store shoes once they are dry.

Shoe Repairs
If your shoes become damaged it’s best to repair them as soon as possible so that the damage doesn’t get worse. Sissa Sorella has always worked with the talented Jhay The Cobbler for our shoe maintenance and repairs for the store. Our Deakin store is also a drop off point for your shoe repairs (shoes purchased anywhere) for sole replacement, wear and tear or anything shoe or handbag repair related. Ask in store or email us for more details.

By following these shoe care tips, you can ensure that your footwear remains in excellent condition and accompanies you on many stylish adventures. Remember, a little care goes a long way in extending the life and beauty of your shoes.

For personalised advice or any questions, our friendly and knowledgeable team at Sissa Sorella is always ready to assist you.