Maintenance advice

A little love, a little attention – and your VANLIERs will stay as good as new.

VANLIER shoes in top shape

Do you know how to keep your VANLIER shoes in top condition? René de Vroome, our quality manager and materials expert, explains everything you need to know about caring for different materials below. This will help you enjoy your VANLIER shoes for even longer!
Leather care

Leather is relatively easy to maintain. However, it is and remains a natural material. If you do not care for your shoes regularly, the leather can dry out. Regular shoe maintenance is the answer!

Did you know that not all leather shoes are the same? Your VANLIER shoes are made from classic smooth leather or casual smooth leatherThe difference lies in the grain and appearance. And in shoe care. Classic smooth leather has a very closed grain and a deep shine. Casual smooth leather has a less closed grain and shines slightly less, giving it a more sporty look.

Maintenance tip from René

Leather shoes are best treated with a colorless wax (or a wax-based cream). This minimizes the risk of color differences, which can sometimes occur when using colored shoe polish: the polish settles in the creases, causing them to darken.

A colorless cream is the best way to prevent such color differences and keep your leather shoes shiny! Do you have black leather shoes? You can safely polish them with black shoe polish.

Step-by-step: learning how to maintain shoes

  1. Allow the leather shoes and dirt to dry completely.
  2. If you have shoes with laces, remove the laces from the shoes. This will allow you to reach the hard-to-reach areas.
  3. Brush away the dirt
  4. Nourish the leather with a colorless wax or wax-based grease cream. Apply the cream with a soft cloth, such as a clean tea towel. This will give the leather a beautiful satin sheen.
  5. Allow the cream to absorb/dry thoroughly.
  6. For shine (on classic smooth leather): polish with a dry, soft cloth or a polishing brush. For a more matte, sporty look (on casual smooth leather): do not polish the shoes.
Care of nubuck

Like suede, nubuck leather has a soft, slightly hairy texture. But it's really different! Nubuck is made from the top layer of the hide, with the grain lightly sanded. This gives it that rugged, rough look, while retaining its luxurious leather character. Minor damage and stains are less noticeable, but the material is more sensitive to dirt and moisture. That's why regular spraying is a must to protect your nubuck and keep it looking beautiful!

Do you have stains on your nubuck shoes? Grab a nubuck eraser! You can easily remove most stains with it. Then steam your shoes over boiling water and gently brush them clean with a soft brush. Finally, spray them well, and your nubuck shoes will look like new again!

Always use a soft brush for nubuck leather. This will keep the material looking good and prevent scratches or streaks. Your shoes deserve that extra care!
Care of Suede

Suede has that unique, stylish look that always makes an impression. René, our expert in quality and shoe care, knows better than anyone how to keep this material looking beautiful. With his practical tips, you can ensure that your shoes retain that luxurious look and soft, velvety feel.

Unlike leather and nubuck, suede comes from the underside of the hide, where the material is softer. This makes suede feel almost like fabric: wonderfully soft and with a subtle texture. But that softness also makes it more susceptible to dirt and moisture. Don't worry, with regular brushing and a protective spray, you can keep your suede items in top condition!

Step by step

Allow your suede shoes and any dirt to dry completely before you begin. Do your shoes have laces? Remove them first so that you can treat hard-to-reach areas, such as the tongue, properly.

Use a suede brush to clean your shoes: the rough side is perfect for removing stains, while the soft side helps to maintain the structure and appearance of the material. Then spray your shoes with a water-repellent spray. This makes the suede dirt and water repellent and prevents rings from forming when your shoes get wet. For lasting protection, it is wise to repeat this treatment every month.
Care of vegan shoes

Vegan shoes are completely free of animal materials—a sustainable choice that's good for the environment. And they have another advantage: they're super easy to care for! René, our quality manager and shoe care expert, knows exactly how to keep your vegan shoes in top condition. With his practical tips, they'll stay looking like new!

VANLIER's vegan shoes are made from Microfibre®—a breathable material that closely resembles leather. Not only is it breathable, but it is also highly resistant to moisture and dirt. This means you can keep your vegan shoes in perfect condition with minimal effort. Practical and sustainable!