Shoe & Leather Care Guides

This is ShoeMedic’s central guide library. Use it to find practical advice about shoe care, leather-care products and professional repair. The feed below shows recent posts from Shoe Care & Repair Advice; this page organizes selected resources by task.

Start with your material

Choose a routine below, then read each product’s directions. Test on a hidden area and let it dry before treating the whole item. You do not need every product at every clean. For patent, unfinished, exotic or unusual finishes, ask us which products are suitable.

Finished smooth leather

1. Dust: use a Columbus horsehair brush with light strokes.
2. Clean when needed: shake Boot Black Two Face Plus Lotion, apply it to a soft cloth and wipe as directed. Let the leather dry before applying cream.
3. Condition and refresh colour: apply a small amount of Boot Black Shoe Cream in a suitable shade, then let it dry and buff. Columbus cotton care cloths help with application and finishing.
4. Optional extra shine: use thin layers of Boot Black Wax Shoe Polish on rigid toe and heel areas. Avoid building hard wax layers over creases.

These cream and wax steps are not for suede, nubuck or patent leather. Keep tools used for different polish colours separate.

Suede and nubuck footwear

1. Brush dry: use a Columbus Suede Brush gently to remove loose dust and lift the nap.
2. Clean when needed: choose a dedicated product such as Boot Black Suede Cleaner, following its label and colourfastness test. Let the item dry fully, then brush again.
3. Condition if needed: Boot Black Suede Rich Moisture is intended for suede, nubuck and velour footwear. Keep it off smooth-leather panels and decorative trim.
4. Optional protection: once dry, consider Columbus Amedas if its label permits your material. Test for colour change first.

Use aerosol cleaners and protectors outdoors, away from heat and flame, following every label precaution. Aerosol shipping depends on the destination and carrier.

Everyday sneakers

For compatible uppers, the Columbus Sneaker Care Foam Kit includes cleaner and a brush. Remove loose dirt, apply foam to the brush, clean gently and wipe away the foam while it is still present. A Columbus 2WAY Cloth helps absorb foam and moisture. Do not scrub natural leather aggressively.

Check every material on a mixed-panel sneaker before cleaning. Let it dry completely before applying a compatible protector such as Columbus Amedas. For separated soles, broken stitching or damaged leather, use the repair links below.

More product guides

• Venetian Shoe Cream and Balm guide — material suitability, colour selection and testing before use.
• Saphir Mirror Gloss guide — where a mirror finish belongs and which parts of a shoe to avoid.
• Saphir Médaille d’Or care guide — an introduction to cleaning, conditioning and polishing.

Ready to shop? Browse leather conditioners, shoe polish and creams, shoe cleaners, shoe trees, or suede and nubuck care. Check each product’s material restrictions before ordering.

Care for shoes, boots and luggage

• Designer shoe care: nine essential steps — cleaning, conditioning, storage, weather protection and signs that repair is needed.
• Designer boot care — everyday habits that help protect leather boots.
• Luggage care and repair considerations — maintenance and common damage to watch for.

Understand your repair options

• Shoe repair services — find the relevant service for soles, heels, stitching and other damage.
• Handbag repair and restoration — assessment for straps, corners, stitching and leather wear.
• Repair pricing guide — understand the factors involved before requesting a quote.
• Repair questions and answers — what to expect from assessment and repair.

Get help from ShoeMedic

Bring your item to our Oakville shop or request a repair assessment with photographs. For Canada-wide mail-in repair, wait for ShoeMedic’s written shipping instructions before sending your item.

Browse more advice by topic: Shoe Care & Repair Advice, Designer Shoe & Handbag Care, and Shoe, Boot & Luggage Care. Return to this guide library for a curated starting point.