In order for leather to retain its natural beauty, it needs regular care. Because if the natural material dries out, it becomes hard and brittle. Unsightly cracks and fractures are the annoying result. So that this does not happen and the optics do not suffer due to the various influences, we have to protect the material from moisture and dirt in particular. The shoe care leather wax meets all the requirements: It protects your shoes from dirt and moisture and, with the help of natural beeswax, provides extensive care. It doesn't get any better! But what is better for your stressed leather and imitation leather shoes?
Shoe wax vs shoe polish: what's the difference?
At first glance, the two leather care products differ in terms of their consistency. So shoe polish is comparable to a face cream and shoe wax is like hard butter.
shoe polish:
Due to its consistency, leather grease can penetrate deeper into the leather and nourish and care for it with nourishing ingredients. Shoe polish also ensures optimal color refreshment. It provides the leather with a minimal shine, but does not protect against moisture and dirt to the same extent as wax.
shoe wax:
Shoe wax only works on the top layer of the material. Due to its consistency, it cannot penetrate the leather as deeply as a cream. It protects your leather shoes from moisture, moisture and dirt particles.
Our tip: In order to provide your shoes with everything they need, it makes sense to first nourish them with Emma Grün shoe polish colorless or leather lotion and then impregnate them with our shoe wax with beeswax. They work in a natural way and are a team that complements each other perfectly.
Leather care shoes: 8 tips to make your shoes last longer!
Of course, high-quality shoes last longer than cheap models. However, without proper handling and perfect care, the lifespan of well-made shoes is also limited. With the following tips you are on the safe side and are doing yourself and your favorite shoes a huge favor:
1. Dressing and undressing correctly
Proper handling also determines how long you can enjoy your footwear. For example, if you get in or out of the shoe incorrectly, the rear part of the leather shoe can wear out or, in the worst case, even break. For this reason, it is advisable to always use a shoehorn when putting on and to use both hands when taking off, instead of standing on the back of the shoe to slip out without bending down.
2. Take regular breaks from carrying
Changing shoes regularly gives your favorite shoes a break. That doesn't mean you shouldn't take another look at them for weeks. Allow them to take a day off from the rigors of everyday life. This gives them time to dry from the inside. They will thank you, especially after a hard day in wind and weather. Good tip: During this time, equip them with a matching shoe tree made of cedar wood. It ensures that your shoes do not deform and can dry better thanks to the untreated natural material.
3. Leather soles also need care
Not only the upper leather craves protection and care. The soles of the shoes, which serve as buffers between feet and the floor covering, must not be forgotten either. Spoil the soles regularly with a sustainable leather oil or the Emma Grün colorless leather grease / shoes. It ensures that the most stressed part of your shoes stays supple and is less likely to break or tear.
4. Maintain before wearing
Even brand new leather shoes have to be given the necessary attention. That is why you should impregnate them immediately after purchase. The best way to do this is with a sustainable leather wax like that from Emma Grün. The natural beeswax it contains ensures that your leather shoes are protected from all weather influences and are additionally cared for.
5. Proper storage
Leather shoes do not belong in a closed shoe box or in a plastic bag: the natural material cannot breathe there. Instead, you should give them a place where the air can circulate optimally. They also have no place near heat sources such as under the radiator. The material dries out unnecessarily, resulting in unsightly cracks.
6. Clean regularly
Depending on how often shoes are worn, the more often they need to be cleaned. Especially if a lot of dirt has landed on the upper leather or soles, the right cleaning agent, such as the leather cleaner from Emma Grün , should be used after removing the coarse dirt. Because once dirt has settled stubbornly, it attacks the upper leather. Unattractive stains and water marks are the result.
7. Use the appropriate leather care product
So that every leather shoe can benefit from the perfect treatment, the type of leather must be the focus when choosing the right care product. In terms of proper care, the different types are divided into suede (velours and suede) and smooth leather. Each type of leather requires a different treatment. Smooth leather is easier to handle and can be treated with lotions, creams and waxes. Suede leather, on the other hand, is the sensitive type of leather: They don't like this type of care at all. Velvety nubuck leather and co. need care with the help of special leather brushes and leather sprays so that they last a lifetime.
8. Use high-quality care products without chemicals
Would you put a cream on your skin that had ingredients like microplastics, synthetic waxes and chemical solvents written on the back of the packaging? We tend not to think. So why would you treat your favorite leather shoes with products like these. Doesn't make any real sense. For this reason, it is advisable to pay attention to the sustainable quality of your leather care products. Emma Grün produces environmentally friendly products with the highest level of effectiveness. Without exception, we use home remedies like in grandma's time. This guarantees that your leather shoes will receive the all-round care they have been longing for.
