Wellness programme for your GROUNDIES®: Top tips for looking after your shoes

Your barefoot shoes are exposed to a variety of stresses, especially in autumn and winter. Cold, moisture and mud can really give them a hard time. Your shoes reliably carry you through daily life, so they deserve a little love and attention! Regular care will extend the lifespan of your shoes, keep the material supple and ensure that your shoes still look the business even after long periods of wearing them. This is why we've put together a few care tips for your GROUNDIES.

Drying and cleaning

In autumn, there's always a chance that you might get caught in a sudden shower. In winter, slush and salt on the road can be hard on your shoes. If your shoes get wet or dirty, you should ideally dry and clean them right away. Even if it seems handy at first glance, you should never dry out your shoes using a radiator or stove. Too much heat will dry out the leather and eventually make it brittle. We would instead recommend that you slowly dry your shoes at room temperature. Ensure proper ventilation when you do so.

The best way to remove coarse dirt on the sole and edges is to use a brush. A damp cloth is suitable for thorough cleaning of the upper material and the sole.

Treatment

After the shoe has been cleaned and dried out completely, it is ready for the treatment programme. For shoes made of smooth leather a natural shoe wax is suitable, such as Fibertec Shoe Wax. The wax provides the leather with moisture and prevents water from seeping into the pores from the outside. For nubuck leather and textile upper material, Collonil Nubuk & Textile Multicolor is suitable.

You can also care for the inside of your GROUDIES: The Collonil Breeze shoe deodorant eliminates bad smells. All that remains is a pleasant and subtle fragrance of fresh laundry.

Waterproofing

Regular waterproofing is especially important for your shoes. Waterproofing acts like a protective layer over your shoes and prevents dirt and moisture from penetrating into the material. A good waterproofing spray such as Collonil Carbon Pro is nevertheless breathable and allows moisture to escape from the inside of the shoe.

It is best to waterproof new shoes several times when you first get them to ensure optimum protection. Particularly during cold times of the year, you should regularly repeat the waterproofing process.