Care Tips for Lana Lang Shoes

CARE ADVICE FOR LANA LANG SHOES & SHOE CARE PRODUCTS

Proper shoe care helps extend the life of your footwear and keeps it looking its best. At Lana Lang Shoes, you can rely on our expert guidance and personalised customer service to ensure you receive the right care advice for every purchase. Because leather is a natural and specialised material, it’s essential that customers understand how to look after it from the moment they take their new shoes home.

SHOE LEATHER

Leather is created through a detailed chemical process called tanning. This process takes around six weeks and can involve up to 120 individual steps.

Tanning includes curing and preserving the raw hides, soaking and de-hairing, cleaning the suede (flesh) side in a salt solution, wringing to remove excess moisture, splitting, shaving, dyeing, drying, conditioning, buffing, finishing, and grading each skin for quality.

Different finishes are used to highlight the natural beauty of leather.

  • Aniline finishes act like wood stain, allowing the natural grain to remain visible.
  • Pigmented finishes resemble paint, covering the surface for a more uniform look.
  • Nubuck is the top grain lightly buffed with fine sandpaper to create a velvety texture.

Common leather finishes include aniline, pigmented, patent, metallic, oily, waxy, suede and nubuck. Manufacturers carefully select quality leather, minimise waste when cutting, and inspect each component to ensure high standards.

Leather naturally allows air and moisture to pass through, making it ideal for comfortable, breathable footwear. Because of its unique characteristics, providing customers with accurate product care advice at the time of purchase is essential.

    Types of Leather

    Types of Leather Produced

    Leather Finishes & Suggested Care
    Top Grain Leather
    Split Leather    		 Cow Hide
    Calf
    Buffalo
    Kid
    Kangaroo
    Sheep - two Groups
    Pig    		 Nappa + Suede + Nubuck
    Aniline + Semi Aniline
    Reptile + Corrected Grain + Embossed
    Glazed Finish + Metallic
    Oily + Oily Nubuck
    Patent, Plastic, Prom Eric or “Wet Look” Uppers:
    Rubbed Leather + Waxy Leather

     

    HOW TO CARE FOR LEATHER SHOES, WHITE SMOOTH-LEATHER FOOTWEAR & HEAVY LEATHER UPPERS

    To keep leather footwear looking its best, the goal is to build and maintain a consistent protective wax layer. This can be achieved by applying a renovating polish, shoe cream or clear leather conditioner regularly—every 7 wears is a good guideline.

    General Cleaning

    • If shoes are only dusty or lightly marked, gently clean them with a soft polishing cloth or brush.
    • After cleaning, apply a clear conditioner or renovating polish according to the product instructions.

    For Very Dirty or Muddy Shoes

    • Remove mud or debris with a blunt knife as soon as possible after wearing.
    • Sponge the shoes lightly using minimal water and a small amount of saddle soap.
    • Wipe clean with a dry cloth. Avoid vigorous rubbing, as gritty particles can scratch or damage the leather.
    • Allow the shoes to dry naturally, then apply a renovating polish or clear conditioner as directed.

    Polishing

    • Buff the leather using a soft brush or polishing cloth with brisk but gentle strokes.
    • For an extra shine, finish with a clean, soft cloth.

    Important Care Tips

    • Never use polish or cream to remove dirt—always clean first.
    • Choose a renovating polish that matches the shoe colour, or use a neutral polish if preferred.
    • Be mindful that frequent or heavy applications of polish or cream may slightly alter the colour of delicate leathers.
    • Always use high-quality products specifically formulated for leather footwear.

    Reviving Dull or Darkened Leather

    A buildup of old polish can make shoes look dark, dull or shabby. Refresh them using a preparer, stripper or spot remover to lift grease and accumulated product—always following instructions carefully.

    NON LEATHER FINISHES AND SUGGESTED CARE

    Fabric  Cork Polyurethane (PU)


    The long-term appearance and performance of your shoes depend greatly on how well they’re cared for. Regular cleaning—such as wiping leather with a gentle baby wipe—helps shoes last longer, look better, maintain their shape, and resist water more effectively.

    If your shoes become wet, always dry them in a warm, well-ventilated area. Never place shoes near direct heat sources such as heaters, open fires or hot pipes, as excessive heat can damage the leather and cause cracking or warping.