Knowing how to care for your loafers will ensure you enjoy them for years to come. There are just a few simple tips that you need to keep in mind when taking care of your loafers.
Treat your leather loafers before you wear them. This will prevent staining and will go a long way in making future cleaning easier. Select the right product for the type of leather of your moccasin and make sure to apply it to the sole of the moccasin. There are specific products for smooth leather, suede and nubuck (which is softer than suede). If you know you’ll be wearing your moccasin in snow or rain, consider applying a layer of mink oil and beeswax mixture, simply heat to melt the mixture. , then apply with a brush on the sole of the moccasin and let dry.
Don’t wear your soft soled loafers when you know you’ll be walking on a lot of concrete pavement. It would be a bad idea to wear a soft soled loafer to a marathon, parade, or amusement park all day. Although soft soled loafers can be worn outside and leather is a tough material, it was never designed for hours and hours of exposure to concrete. The rough surface will significantly shorten the life of your moccasin. Even the Plains Indians who walked on some rocky surfaces wore hard-soled moccasins, so learn from them about walking on hard surfaces in soft-soled moccasins. Consider wearing only hard soled loafers on such occasions.
Use warm water to clean sheepskin moccasins. Very hot water will damage the delicate fibers and stiffen the feel of the sheepskin by weighing down the natural fibers.
Do not wear bare leather moccasins in the rain. One of the first things you’ll want to do is spray a water protectant on your suede loafers. Water will damage any moccasin, but suede is especially vulnerable to its effects. (Be sure to spray in a well-ventilated space. I find protective water sprays give me terrible headaches.)
Make sure your leather is warm before cleaning or protecting it. Warm leather fibers are more relaxed and can absorb cleaning creams or protective sprays than cold leather.
Do not use straight lines or rub hard when applying your cleansing creams. Be sure to use gentle, circular motions when applying products. This will ensure an even application and protect your leather from damage that is possible by applying products too forcefully.
Use a good quality saddle soap for soft leather moccasins to clean surface dirt. Once you’re sure your smooth leather moccasin is clean, apply a leather conditioner to lubricate and soften the leather. A polishing paste can be used on the top of the loafer if some shine is desired. Remember that with leather, your goal is to keep it hydrated, supple, and durable.
Use a rubber-tipped brush on the suede to keep the nap cool and upright. Poorly cared for suede will end up with crushed fibers and won’t feel as smooth to the touch.
Do not immerse the leather in water when cleaning it. It is much better to use a damp cloth and the appropriate cleaner than to submerge the moccasin in water. Hang your moccasins to dry and let the air finish the drying process. Never put them in a dryer.
By considering these pros and cons, your loafers will last for years and develop their own natural and unique character as they age.
