The bugatti guide to shoe and leather care

How to care for leather shoes properly

Leather shoes, in particular, require more thorough care than shoes made of other materials, as leather is more susceptible to scratches, water stains, or discoloration. The right care products will preserve the leather's typical properties and original appearance.

Leather is generally a very absorbent material and therefore needs to be protected from moisture. Various environmental influences reduce the natural wax and fat content, which is crucial for the flexibility and suppleness of leather shoes. A wide selection of waxes, oils, and fats supports you in leather care. The specific needs of each type of leather must be considered when choosing a care product, and appropriate products must be carefully selected.

Choosing the right care accessories also plays an important role! In addition to a classic shoe brush, a cotton cloth, shoe eraser, and polishing cloth are helpful components of a thorough shoe care routine.

Important steps after using care products: Let the shoe dry thoroughly and then polish it with a cloth. For optimal leather care, clean the shoes regularly. We describe how to properly care for different types of leather in our care tips below.

TIP NO. 1: YOU SHOULD ALWAYS BREAK IN NEW SHOES BEFORE WEARING THEM FOR THE FIRST TIME!

Suede care tips

When caring for suede shoes, you should generally avoid using shoe polish! Gently brush suede shoes against the grain with a rubber or brass wire bristle. This will usually remove even stains and coarse dirt. If stubborn stains are causing problems, they can be carefully removed with fine sandpaper. For stuck-on stains, it's helpful to use a very fine steel brush. Even in this case, remove the stuck-on stains with great sensitivity. After cleaning, you can spray the leather – open-pored suede can be optimally protected with a special waterproofing spray.

Care tips for smooth leather

In general, using a horsehair brush is recommended for cleaning smooth leather. Fine leather types should be treated with a soft brush or cloth. Smooth leather shoes can be best protected with a tube-based cream or leather lotion, which should be applied every eight to ten weeks. Shoe polish and lotion contain waxes and oils that penetrate the leather evenly after the water content evaporates, preventing potential soiling. If you're in a hurry, smooth leather shoes can also be cleaned with self-shining care products. This eliminates the need for polishing afterward.

Care tips for nubuck leather

Nubuck leather shoes contain a high proportion of natural waxes and oils. Sponges, crepe, or rubber brushes are suitable for cleaning these shoes. The nubuck leather should not be rubbed, but rather lightly brushed with a brush. To maintain the surface, we recommend using special waxes. These provide particularly gentle care and can also act as a waterproofing agent. Finally, you can polish the leather shoes lightly with a soft cloth.

Suede care tips

When caring for suede shoes, you should generally avoid using shoe polish! Gently brush suede shoes against the grain with a rubber or brass wire bristle. This will usually remove even stains and coarse dirt. If stubborn stains are causing problems, they can be carefully removed with fine sandpaper. For stuck-on stains, it's helpful to use a very fine steel brush. Even in this case, remove the stuck-on stains with great sensitivity. After cleaning, you can spray the leather – open-pored suede can be optimally protected with a special waterproofing spray.

Care tips for smooth leather

In general, using a horsehair brush is recommended for cleaning smooth leather. Fine leather types should be treated with a soft brush or cloth. Smooth leather shoes can be best protected with a tube-based cream or leather lotion, which should be applied every eight to ten weeks. Shoe polish and lotion contain waxes and oils that penetrate the leather evenly after the water content evaporates, preventing potential soiling. If you're in a hurry, smooth leather shoes can also be cleaned with self-shining care products. This eliminates the need for polishing afterward.

Putting on and taking off

Put on and take off your shoes as gently as possible! Your shoes will thank you if you loosen the laces or buckles before each change.

After taking off your warm and usually slightly damp shoes, you should immediately fit them with a wooden shoe tree. A wooden or foam shoe tree promotes the drying process and can also absorb some odors. The tension helps the shoe retain its shape and also reduces creases in the leather.

Please never step on the heel or heel cap while pulling your foot out. This could damage the heel cap or, in the worst case, break the heel. If necessary, a boot jack can help you remove the boots if it's too difficult to do by hand.

Shoes are exposed to particular stress and therefore require appropriate care.

Regular care

Regular cleaning is essential for long-lasting enjoyment of your bugatti shoes! Always include the soles and heels in your cleaning routine. When caring for shoes, it's important to first remove any dust and dirt from the surface with a brush or soft cloth to keep them shiny. The rule is: Don't polish shoes that aren't clean! Then, apply shoe polish, wax, or oil with a cloth for more shine, and finally, apply the waterproofing spray. Minor scratches can be easily removed with a suitable shoe wax.

After polishing, polish the shoe to a high shine with a fine brush. All care products and waterproofing sprays should be applied according to the manufacturer's instructions. Since there are many types of leather, specific care instructions must be observed. Shoe polishes, etc., and waterproofing sprays protect against dirt and moisture. However, the right care products only facilitate regular care; they do not replace it. We present all our tips under "Leather Care."

TIP NO. 2: AFTER WEARING, YOU SHOULD GIVE YOUR SHOES A BREAK – ONE-DAY BREAKS TO AIR THEM OUT ARE ADVISABLE.

After wearing

After taking off your shoes, while they're still warm and usually slightly damp, you should immediately fit them with a wooden shoe tree. A wooden shoe tree promotes the natural drying process and can also absorb some odors. The tension helps the shoe retain its shape and also reduces creases in the leather.

TIPS & TRICKS NO.1

Pinching shoes?

Heel caps that are too tight or hard are put under the hammer.

For this, you'll need a small hammer, a soft cloth, and something round to stuff the heels. A filled plastic bottle, for example, is a good option for padding; you can press it into the heel cap to provide support. Once you've stuffed the heel from the inside, place the cloth over the pressure point from the outside. The cloth protects the leather from scratches. Do you have a firm grip on everything? Now you can gently tap the leather. Check regularly to make sure the heel cap is sufficiently soft and no longer presses.

TIPS & TRICKS NO.2

Road salt & water stains?

Milk provides relief here

Stubborn road salt stains can be removed from genuine leather shoes with milk or buttermilk. The lactic acid neutralizes the salt crystals. To do this, moisten a cotton cloth with a little milk and gently rub the affected areas. Synthetic leather shoes can be wiped with a damp cloth.

You can gently rub off snow and water stains with a freshly sliced ​​onion, a peeled potato, or a halved lemon.

For suede or suede shoes, these annoying stains can be removed with a leather eraser. After treatment, it's important to care for leather shoes with a suitable shoe polish or waterproofing spray.

TIPS & TRICKS NO.3

Wet & slippery shoes?

Wet shoes need to dry slowly.

Rule number one for wet shoes: Never dry them with a hairdryer, or place them near a heater or in direct sunlight! Carefully pad the wet shoes with newspaper to absorb the moisture stored in the leather. Repeat this process as needed. Caution: Wet leather is malleable, and too much newspaper can cause unsightly dents. Then remove the paper and let the shoes dry in peace, using wooden shoe trees.

Slippery shoe soles significantly impair comfort. To reduce the risk of slipping, you can roughen up the soles slightly with sandpaper. This is especially recommended for leather soles.