Care Guide Shoes

Proper care will help your shoes retain their appearance and last longer.


Before first wear, protect leather and suede with The Leather Protector. Reapply regularly to help shield the surface from water, dirt and stains.


Condition smooth leather occasionally with The Leather Nourisher to keep it soft and supple. Suede should instead be gently cleaned with a suede brush.


If your shoes become wet, allow them to dry naturally, away from direct heat. Use shoe trees or paper to help maintain their shape, and let them rest between wears.


Check the soles regularly and visit a cobbler before they become heavily worn. Store your shoes clean and dry in the dust bag provided.


Here, we share simple tips to help your Flattered pieces last longer, along with a curated selection of care products designed to support and protect your investment, season after season.

Leather Suede Coated Leather Textile Wool Metal


Care Guide Shoes

Proper care will help your shoes retain their appearance and last longer.


Before first wear, protect leather and suede with The Leather Protector. Reapply regularly to help shield the surface from water, dirt and stains.


Condition smooth leather occasionally with The Leather Nourisher to keep it soft and supple. Suede should instead be gently cleaned with a suede brush.


If your shoes become wet, allow them to dry naturally, away from direct heat. Use shoe trees or paper to help maintain their shape, and let them rest between wears.


Check the soles regularly and visit a cobbler before they become heavily worn. Store your shoes clean and dry in the dust bag provided.


Here, we share simple tips to help your Flattered pieces last longer, along with a curated selection of care products designed to support and protect your investment, season after season.

Care Guide Bags

Proper care will help your bag retain its appearance and last longer.


Before first use, protect leather and suede with The Leather Protector. Reapply regularly to help shield the surface from water, dirt and stains.


Condition smooth leather occasionally with The Leather Nourisher to keep it soft and supple. Suede should instead be gently cleaned with a suede brush.


Avoid prolonged exposure to water, direct sunlight and heat. If your bag becomes wet, gently remove excess moisture and allow it to dry naturally. Be mindful of dark denim and other fabrics, as colour may transfer onto lighter materials.


Avoid overfilling your bag. When not in use, fill it lightly to preserve its shape and store it in the dust bag provided.

Caring for Your Soles

The sole of your shoe plays a big role in its longevity. Here is what you need to know about the different sole types we use at Flattered and how to care for them.


Thunit Outsoles
Most Flattered shoes are crafted with a Thunit outsole. Thunit is a premium resin rubber that outlasts traditional leather soles and provides reliable grip and durability. No additional treatment or protection is needed before your first wear.

As your sole naturally wears down over time, we recommend visiting a trusted cobbler before it wears through completely. Addressing wear early protects the rest of the shoe from damage and keeps your shoes looking and feeling their best for years to come.


Rubber Outsoles
Some of our styles, including many of our boots, feature a rubber outsole. Rubber provides excellent durability, grip, and resistance to wet conditions. As with Thunit soles, we recommend visiting a cobbler when you notice significant wear to prevent damage spreading to the upper.


Leather Outsoles
A selection of our styles feature a leather outsole, which you can identify by the Flattered logo stamped directly onto the sole. Leather soles have a refined, classic appearance and allow the foot to breathe naturally, however they require a little more care than rubber or Thunit.

We strongly recommend visiting a cobbler before your first wear to have a thin protective rubber sole added on top. This protects the leather from moisture and everyday wear, improves grip, and significantly extends the life of your shoes. It is a small step that makes a meaningful difference.

Putting Your Shoes On and Off
Always loosen laces generously before putting your shoes on or taking them off. Use a shoehorn to protect the heel counter and back of the shoe from losing its shape. Taking this small extra step each time will keep your shoes looking their best for much longer.


Storing Your Shoes
When not in use, store your shoes in the dustbag provided with your Flattered purchase. Make sure they are clean before storing and use cedar shoe trees or cedar blocks to help maintain their shape, absorb moisture, and keep them fresh between wears.

Salty stains?

White marks on leather are often caused by salt from winter roads or rain. It is important to treat them promptly as salt can dry out and damage the leather over time.

We recommend using a leather cleaning product specifically developed for salt stain removal, available from most shoe care specialists. Always follow the product instructions carefully and test on a small hidden area first.


After treating the stain, apply a leather cream to restore moisture and finish with a Leather Protector spray.


For stubborn stains or if you are unsure, we always recommend taking your product to a trusted cobbler or leather care specialist rather than attempting to treat it at home. This is the safest way to protect the quality and appearance of your leather.

Leather

There are a few things to keep in mind when caring for your leather products. With the right care, leather will maintain its natural beauty and age gracefully over time.
Before using your leather product for the first time, always apply a Leather Protector spray. This helps protect the leather against moisture, dirt, and everyday wear. To maintain protection, we recommend repeating this treatment as often as twice a month.


Step 1. Clean

Before cleaning, make sure your leather product is completely dry. Use a soft brush or cloth to gently remove dirt and dust. For deeper cleaning, use a leather foam cleaner specifically developed for leather products to carefully cleanse the material while preserving its natural finish. Always allow the leather to dry naturally and avoid direct heat or sunlight.

Step 2. Care

To nourish and maintain the leather, apply a leather cream specifically developed for leather products. This helps restore softness, shine, and the material’s natural appearance.

Step 3. Protect

Finish by applying an even layer of Leather Protector spray to help shield the product from moisture and daily wear. Allow the product to dry completely before use.

With regular care and protection, your leather products will remain beautiful for years to come.

Suede

There are a few things to keep in mind when caring for your suede products. With the right care, suede will maintain its soft texture and beautiful finish over time.
Before using your suede product for the first time, always apply Leather Protector.
Spray generously so that the suede is fully covered and protected. This helps shield the material from moisture, dirt, and stains.

To maintain protection, we recommend repeating this treatment regularly, ideally twice a month, depending on use and weather conditions.

Please note that light suede is especially sensitive to colour transfer from darker fabrics and materials.

Step 1. Clean

Use a suede brush or suede stone to gently remove dirt and surface stains. For deeper cleaning, use products specifically developed for suede. Always clean gently to preserve the natural texture of the material.

Step 2. Restore

After cleaning, brush the suede carefully to revive its soft texture and natural finish. If needed, use a suede care spray or conditioner to help maintain the colour and refresh the appearance of the material.

Step 3. Protect

Once the suede is completely dry, apply an even layer of protective spray to help guard against water, dirt, and everyday wear.
We recommend using water-based protection sprays as they are a more eco-friendly choice.

Coated Leather

Coated leathers, including reptile-effect and patent leather styles, behave differently from regular smooth leather and require specific care. With the right treatment, the shine and lustre of your product can be maintained and easily restored over time.

Before First Use
Do not apply a Leather Protector spray to patent or coated leather. Waterproofing sprays are not suitable for these materials and can damage the finish. No pre-treatment is needed before first use.

Step 1 — Clean
Wipe the product with a slightly damp cloth to gently remove surface dirt and dust. Avoid soaking the material or using any harsh cleaning products.

Step 2 — Restore the Shine
Apply a thin, even layer of a patent leather lotion specifically formulated for coated leather across the entire product. Allow it to dry for 3 to 5 minutes.

Step 3 — Buff
Once dry, a light white film will appear on the surface. Using a clean, soft cloth, gently buff the product until you restore your desired level of shine and lustre.

Important
Never use waterproofing or Leather Protector sprays on patent or coated leather as these will damage the finish

Never use regular leather cream on patent or coated leather

Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight as this can cause the coating to crack or discolour over time

Storage
Store patent and coated leather products in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep them in a dust bag to protect the finish and avoid storing them in direct contact with other leather products as the coating can stick or transfer.

Textile

Step 1

Gently brush away any loose dirt using a soft-bristled brush. If a deeper clean is needed, use a shampoo specially formulated for textile footwear and carefully work it into the fabric with a soft cloth or brush. Remove any residue with a clean, damp cloth.

Step 2

Allow your shoes to air dry naturally, away from direct heat or sunlight. We do not recommend machine washing, as it may damage the materials and compromise the shape and longevity of your shoes.


Step 3

Once completely dry, apply a light, even layer of a waterproof protector designed for textiles. Reapply regularly to help shield the fabric from moisture and everyday dirt, keeping your shoes looking fresh and extending their lifespan.

Wool

Wool is naturally breathable and does not easily retain odour, which means it does not need to be washed often. To keep the lining fresh, we recommend airing your shoes regularly after wear.

Step 1
If cleaning is needed, use a small amount of wool detergent mixed with cold water. Gently apply it to the wool lining with a soft cloth, taking care not to soak the material or touch other parts of the shoe.

Step 2
Remove any excess detergent with a clean, damp cloth. Avoid rubbing, as this may affect the texture of the wool.

Step 3
Allow the shoes to dry naturally at room temperature. Do not place them near direct heat or sunlight.

Metal

Many of our products feature metal hardware crafted from Zamak, a durable alloy finished with a nickel-free coating.

Over time, exposure to air, light, moisture, and everyday wear may cause the metal to develop subtle changes in tone and sheen. This natural aging process is part of the character of the product and reflects its use over time.

To care for metal details, gently wipe them with a soft, dry cloth when needed. Avoid contact with water, perfumes, cosmetics, and other chemicals, as these may affect the finish.

When not in use, store your product in its dust bag in a cool, dry place to help protect it from humidity and environmental exposure.

Like the leather itself, metal hardware will age naturally with wear. Small variations in appearance are to be expected and contribute to the unique character of each piece.