How to care for your shoes and boots

At Happy Little Soles we stock a range of shoes made from a range of materials so each one will require a little different treatment. Have a look below at the main types we offer for details on how to get the most out of your footwear.

Leather Shoes and Boots

Leather is a natural material and will respond well to regular care. Clean shoes after each use with a damp cloth to remove mud and debris. Never immerse shoes in water and dry naturally at an ambient temperature, away from direct sunlight or heat sources. Avoid drying shoes on a radiator or near a fire as this will cause the leather to shrink and crack and as rubber and leather dry at different speeds will cause the upper to pull away from the sole. Don't machine wash, bleach, soak, or tumble dry your footwear unless it is specifically advised.

Polish the leather every week, or more often if required, with a shoe polish containing natural waxes. Always polish after shoes have got wet as soon as they are dry. This will nourish the leather, prolonging its life and helping to keep it supple and prevent scuffing.

We recommend the Chainbridge Honey Farm Beeswax Polish which is made from natural beeswax to give a nice shine whilst helping waterproofing the leather. It is available in Black, Brown and Neutral to cover every eventuality. Heavier scuffs may require a matching coloured polish and we recommend the Woly Cream Polish from Shoestring which has a colour to match every option.

Suede Shoes and Boots

Use a natural water-repellent spray on nubuck and suede before wearing and every four weeks following first wear for protection against water damage. We recommend the Famaco Eco Protect Waterstop for a nice environmentally friendly option.

Brush shoes clean after use with a soft brush to remove mud and debris. Avoid immersing shoes in water and dry naturally at an ambient temperature, away from direct sunlight or heat sources. Never dry shoes on a radiator or near a fire or Aga. Don't machine wash, bleach, soak, or tumble dry.

Textile and Synthetic Shoes and Boots

Use a natural water-repellent spray before wearing and every four weeks following first wear for protection against water damage. We recommend the Famaco Eco Protect Waterstop for a nice environmentally friendly option.

Brush shoes clean after use with a soft brush to remove mud and debris. Never immerse shoes in water and dry naturally at an ambient temperature, away from direct sunlight or heat sources. Never dry shoes on a radiator or near a fire or Aga. Don't machine wash unless the manufacturer specifically recommends it and never bleach, soak, or tumble dry

Wellingtons and Rubber Boots

To extend the life of your Wellington Boots never use for extended periods on hard surfaces such as tarmac. Avoid leaving them outside in direct sunlight or store them anywhere with extremes of heat and cold as this will cause the rubber to perish and crack. Make sure you store out of the weather in an ambient temperature environment.

To clean your boots just wipe with warm soapy water and a soft cloth. If they are wet inside stuff them with newspaper and leave to dry out in a warm room. Never leave them on, or near, a direct heat source such as a radiator, fire or Aga. Again this will cause perishing and cracking.

If you have any problems or queries please do get in touch with our experienced Customer Service team. They have been advising on the suitability of different footwear for many years and can help you find, and care for, the perfect options for yourself and little one.