Brush – The Daily Act of Preservation
Your shoes deserve daily attention. Not the kind that takes hours—but the kind that takes 60 seconds with a horsehair brush. Brushing is the unsung hero of leather care: essential, effective, and beautifully simple.
Why Brushing Works
Every time you wear shoes, they collect dust, debris, moisture, and surface oils. Left unattended, these particles dull the finish, seep into the leather, and contribute to long-term wear. Brushing removes impurities, reactivates polish layers, and restores surface texture.
It’s the best thing you can do for your shoes—daily.
Step 1
Choose the Right Brush:
Horsehair Brush (soft): Ideal for everyday leather brushing and post-polish shine.
Boar Bristle Brush (medium-firm): Good for cleaning grainier leather or removing old polish buildup.
Suede Brush (rubber or brass): Specially designed to lift the nap and clean suede without damaging texture.
Step 2
Brush After Every Wear:
Develop a habit of brushing your shoes before storing them. This removes surface dust and rebalances oils, helping your polish last longer.
Step 3
Brush Before Polishing:
Brushing before polish ensures an even application and prevents grit from being trapped beneath the polish layer.
Step 4
Brush After Polishing:
Once the polish dries, brushing activates the oils and creates a natural, uniform sheen.
Brush Maintenance
- Clean your brush every few weeks by gently tapping it or using a fine comb.
- Use separate brushes for dark and light polishes to avoid cross-contamination.
- Store in a clean, dry drawer—away from solvents or polish bottles.
Brushing is where shoe care becomes habit—effortless, quiet, but immensely impactful.
Before you get started
A Few Additional Tips
Tip-1
Use Shoe Trees - Using wooden shoe trees will help to absorb moisture and maintain the shape of the shoes as they dry out. Using a shoe horn prevents damage to the heels, counter and top line.
Tip-2
Fat Liquors - A common question we receive about our shell cordovan styles is the appearance of a white substance appearing on the material after wear. This is some of the liquors coming out of the material during flexing and wear. The substance can easily be cleaned off with a cloth or damp cloth (water only).
Tip-3
Deer Bone - An additional step, is the use of a smooth deer bone to remove any damages, flatten any dimples or scratches that may have occurred during wear. Applying gentle, circular pressure with a deer bone can encourage the natural fat liquors back to the surface and help to flatten out the upper layer of the Cordovan. This is also a proven method of bringing a shine back to your Cordovan shoes after wear. (Deer bones are not yet available fromthe handcrafted Elegance).
Sole Care
The sole is the foundation of your shoe. Protect leather soles with topy or sole guards to reduce wear. Rotate shoes regularly and monitor heel edges. Timely resoling preserves structure and comfort. Sole care isn’t just about longevity — it’s about sustaining the integrity and fit of handcrafted footwear.
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