Every FAWOYE pair is handmade from premium leather, and real leather rewards a little care. A few simple habits keep your shoes looking new and, cared for well, a FAWOYE pair only looks better with the years. Here is everything you need.
Cleaning leather
Wipe your shoes down with a soft, slightly damp cloth after wear to lift dust and sweat before they settle into the leather. For marks, use a barely-damp cloth and let the leather dry naturally. Every few weeks, work in a little natural leather conditioner to keep the leather supple, then buff with a soft brush. To shine, apply a polish that matches your shoe or a shade lighter, leave it a few minutes, then brush until it gleams.
Suede care
Suede needs a gentler routine. Never use water or polish. Brush with a suede brush in one direction to lift dirt and restore the nap. For scuffs, a suede eraser or a gentle rub with a clean, dry cloth usually does it. Treat new suede with a suede protector spray before first wear, and re-apply every few weeks.
Waterproofing
Before the rains, treat leather with a natural wax or cream and suede with a dedicated protector spray. This helps water bead off rather than soak in. If your shoes do get wet, wipe off surface water, stuff them with paper to hold their shape, and let them dry slowly at room temperature, never near direct heat or sun, which cracks leather.
Storage
Keep your shoes out of long direct sun and away from damp. Store them in a cool, dry place, ideally in a dust bag or box. Good storage does as much for a shoe as good cleaning.
Shoe trees
Cedar shoe trees are worth the small investment. They absorb moisture, neutralise odour and hold your shoe’s shape between wears, preventing creases and deformation. Insert them once your shoes have cooled after wear. If you do not have trees, lightly stuff the toes with clean paper.
Rotation
Never wear the same pair two days in a row. Giving each pair a day to air out lets the leather dry fully and breathe, which keeps them fresh, prevents odour and roughly doubles their lifespan. Rotating two or three pairs is the single easiest way to make good shoes last.
Caring for leather through the Nigerian climate
Nigeria is hard on leather. Harmattan dries it out, so condition a little more often through the dry season. The rains soak it, so waterproof ahead of the wet months and always dry your shoes slowly and naturally. Get these two habits right and your leather will age into character rather than cracking.
Every FAWOYE pair is handmade in Nigeria from premium leather. Explore the collection or read the FAWOYE Journal for styling notes.