Shoe & Boot Care Guide

Good shoe care starts by identifying the material and finish. Smooth calf leather, pull-up leather, suede and nubuck should not all be treated in the same way. The guidance below follows current care information from Loake Shoemakers and R.M.Williams, alongside the products Livingston currently stocks.

Let footwear dry naturally

Loake recommends allowing leather shoes time to rest between wears and drying wet footwear naturally, away from direct heat. Cedar shoe trees can help the shoe retain its shape and absorb moisture. If shoe trees are not available, dry newspaper can help draw moisture from the inside.

Cleaning and polishing smooth calf leather

Remove surface dirt before applying cream or polish. Loake advises a small amount of suitable cream or wax, worked into clean leather and then buffed with a brush or soft cloth. Neutral products are useful when you do not want to alter the colour; colour-matched polish can help refresh a worn finish. Test a coloured product on a small, inconspicuous area first.

For current Loake footwear, browse Loake shoes and Loake Beeswax Shoe Polish.

R.M.Williams smooth and pull-up leather

R.M.Williams Leather Conditioner is intended to soften and protect compatible leather. The manufacturer says to apply it evenly and sparingly, allow it to penetrate, then buff away the excess to a soft sheen. It is not suitable for suede or burnished leather.

For pull-up leather, R.M.Williams advises that frequent polishing is not required. When polish is used, Stockman’s Boot Polish should be rubbed in with a clean cloth and then buffed. See our dedicated R.M.Williams pull-up leather care guide for the manufacturer-specific routine.

Suede and nubuck

Suede and nubuck need their own care products. Brush loose dirt from dry suede with a suitable suede brush, use cleaner intended for suede or nubuck where required, let the material dry naturally, then lift the nap again with the brush. A suitable protector can be applied to clean, dry suede according to its product instructions.

Do not use ordinary leather conditioner or wax polish on suede, as these can darken and flatten the nap. Livingston stocks R.M.Williams Suede Cleaner and R.M.Williams Suede Protector.