Knowing how to care for your loafers will ensure that you enjoy them for years to come. There are just a few simple tips to keep in mind when caring for your loafers.
Treat your leather moccasin before wearing it. This will prevent staining and will go a long way in making future cleaning easier. Select the right product for the type of leather of your moccasin and be sure to apply it to the sole of the moccasin. There are specific products for smooth leather, suede and nubuck (which is softer than suede). If you know you will wear your moccasin in the snow or rain, consider applying a coat of mink oil / beeswax mixture; just heat to melt the mixture. , then apply with a brush to the sole of the moccasin and let it dry.
Don’t wear your soft-soled loafers when you know you’ll be walking on a lot of concrete pavement. It would be a bad idea to wear a soft-soled loafer to a marathon, parade, or amusement park all day. Although soft-soled loafers can be worn outdoors and leather is a tough material, it was never designed for hours and hours of exposure to concrete. The rough surface will significantly shorten the life of your moccasin. Even plains Indians who walked on rocky surfaces wore hard-soled loafers, so learn a lesson from them on how to walk on hard surfaces in soft-soled loafers. Consider wearing only hard-soled loafers on such occasions.
Use warm water to clean sheepskin loafers. Very hot water will damage the delicate fibers and toughen the sheepskin feel by tinting the natural fibers.
Do not wear leather loafers without protection in the rain. One of the first things to do is spray a water protector on your suede loafers. Water will damage any moccasin, but suede is especially vulnerable to its effects. (Be sure to spray in a well-ventilated space. I find water-protective sprays give me terrible headaches.)
Make sure your leather is warm before cleaning or protecting it. Warm leather fibers are more relaxed and able to absorb cleansing creams or protective sprays than cold leather.
Don’t use straight lines or scrub hard when applying your cleansing creams. Make sure to use gentle circular motions when applying the products. This will ensure an even application and protect your leather from damage that is possible by applying the products too hard.
Use a good quality saddle soap for smooth leather loafers to clean surface dirt. Once you are sure your smooth leather moccasin is clean, apply a leather conditioner to lubricate and smooth the leather. A polishing paste can be used on top of the moccasin in a little shine if desired. Remember that with leather, your goal is to keep it hydrated, flexible, and long-lasting.
Use a rubber-tipped brush on the suede to keep the nap cool and upright. Poorly maintained suede will end up with flattened fibers and won’t feel as soft to the touch.
Do not immerse leather in water when cleaning. It is much better to use a damp cloth and the right cleaner than to submerge the moccasin in water. Pat your loafers dry and let the air finish the drying process. Never put them in a dryer.
With these pros and cons in mind, your loafers will last for years and develop their own unique, natural character as they age.
