Caroline Turner Shoes

Ask Caroline

Shoe Care

Leather has pores to help it breathe; it is water resistant, not waterproof. A protective spray is an excellent way to protect your shoes from water, snow, mud and spills! Remember to spray your shoes before wearing and on a regular basis thereafter...

We recommend Woly 3 x 3 protector. To buy... click here.

Shoes will last longer if you clean them regularly and remember different materials require different treatments...

Leather : to keep your leather shoes looking their best, polish them regularly. Not only will this keep them looking new but it will also protect them against water and scuffing. If you cannot find an accurate colour polish match for coloured leather, use a clear polish or wax for protection. Never polish wet shoes.

Suede & nubuck : to keep your suede or nubuck shoes looking their best please use a spray suede protector before your first wear and at regular intervals. If shoes are wet, first let them dry, and then use a suede brush to remove marks. Regular brushing will keep the nap of the suede clean. Remember to be very gentle to avoid any loss of colour or damage to the fabric...

Patent leather : to keep your patent leather shoes looking their best, remove marks with a damp cloth, and polish them with a soft, dry cloth.

Ponyskin : no cleaning products are recommended for ponyskin but a protective spray is extremely advisable. If the ponyskin does become slightly dirty, then brush lightly with a soft brush.

Satin, silk and other delicate fabrics : always protect with a suitable spray before each wear.

Although there are specialist products on the market, cleaning delicate fabrics can be very difficult. Read instructions carefully before spraying and where possible do a patch test on the shoe.

Top Tip: Shoetrees

Invest in shoetrees. Shoes and boots should be treed while in the wardrobe, this way your shoes will not only retain their original shape but will also dry out faster.

Top Tip: Repairs

Regular repairs are important if you want to prolong the life of your shoes and prevent damage. Narrow width heels need to be regularly checked as the heel tip has a much smaller surface area than a block heel and will wear down faster. If you find you have to replace the tips after just a few outings, consider taking them to a good cobbler to ask for them to be replaced with metal tips. Narrow pointed shoes need special attention as the toe area is more inclined to wear quickly

Top Tip: Zipping

Zipping up your boots – very occasionally it is possible to trap the zip in the zip guard (the leather flap behind the zip). To prevent this happening, run your finger along the zip guard to make it flat each time you put them on. Wear and tear – Please do not be tempted to wear high heels when driving and take care when walking over rough ground or gratings.