How to care for nubuck at home, taking into account the capricious "nature" of the material

Nubuck is a genuine calf leather of a special dressing with a pleasant to the touch shallow surface. The main advantage is an attractive look that looks like suede. If you purchased a nubuck product, most likely you will not have to regret it.

Nubuck: what kind of material

The skin of young calves has been used since antiquity, but only recently abrasive materials processing technology has come into use. As a result, rough and fleecy material took one of the leading places in light industry. From nubuck release:

• footwear - all-weather male, female, children's;
• purses and bags - stylish and modern;
• fashionable accessories - belts, hats, jewelry;
• clothes - The most common are nubuck jackets and vests;
• furniture - used for covering upholstered furniture made of leather.

Types and Features

Nubuck, like all natural materials, has its own “artificial” and less expensive double. Both natural and artificial options have their pros and cons. In addition, there is a third compromise solution.

• Natural. Beautiful, lightweight, breathable, durable, well-retaining heat, but capricious to the weather and impractical (the main disadvantage is the need for regular care).
• Artificial. Outwardly very similar to natural, but poorly breathable, heavy. It has its advantages: good wear resistance, water resistance, affordable price.
• Nubuck Oil This is genuine leather, which has a special impregnation with protection from getting wet, which allows you to wear it in any weather. To the touch - greasy. The most expensive of the three.

What is different from suede

Nubuck and suede are related materials. They are so similar that they can be mistaken for one after another. What is the difference between nubuck and suede?

• Nubuck. More reliable, durable and not prone to stretching, as it is made from the outer part of cowhide.
• Suede. Dressing of the inner part of the skin, so it is characterized by characteristic elasticity, softness, it stretches strongly and is short-lived. For these reasons, shoes are rarely made from suede, and sellers mistakenly pass nubuck for suede. Good delicate material in gloves, demi-season jackets, other accessories.

How to clean nubuck products

Different products will have their own pollution sites. For example, the jacket will be untidy and worn around the collar, pockets, cuffs. The belt made of nubuck, although it is considered very practical and durable, from frequent contact with human skin will become greasy. The bag quickly gets dirty in places of friction with clothes and hand touches.Shoes and sandals are susceptible to dust, and boots or boots may get wet and covered with dirt.

2 safe ways

Independent restoration of a nubuck at home is a simple matter. Even when it comes to greasy spots. After analyzing the reviews, two methods can be distinguished.

1. Semolina. To clean greasy places on a jacket, bag, wallet or nubuck belt, try using semolina. Rub it into greasy areas. To get the result, you need several fresh servings of semolina.
2. Talc or starch. In a similar way, try to get rid of stains with talcum powder or starch. Apply for a couple of hours, and then brush off the remaining powder.

Is washing acceptable?

Can I wash a nubuck? If we are talking about natural material - absolutely not. Even washing such products in the usual way is contraindicated. The material does not tolerate water, can become coarse, inelastic and unsuitable for further use. Therefore, wet cleaning can be resorted to only in exceptional cases. Act carefully in five steps.

1. Pour a tablespoon of ammonia into a liter of warm water.
2. Moisten a flannel rag or soft sponge in the solution, wring it out carefully.
3. Carefully wipe away any dirt.
4. After drying, clean with a rubber brush.
5. Cover with water repellent or paint.

How to tidy up shoes

Nubuck shoes, especially light ones, are very beautiful and elegant, but not practical at all. Spectacular white sandals or boots in pastel colors can be worn only in warm, dry or frosty snowy weather. The lighter the color, the more confident it can be said that these shoes are designed to move on a car and wear indoors. To correctly clean light nubuck shoes, it is advised to use only products marked “For nubuck”, as well as combine daily cleaning with special sponges and napkins with weekly care, which includes the following functions:

• initial cleaning;
• drying;
• cleaning;
• impregnation;
• nutrition.

Getting rid of stains on white ...

No shoes are safe from stains. If for you to remove a spot from a white nubuck is equivalent to flying into space, still do not rush to throw away your favorite sneakers or ballet shoes. To get started, try the following six methods.

1. Water and ammonia. Dilute a teaspoon of ammonia in four tablespoons of warm water. Dampen a soft cloth, wring out and gently remove stubborn stains.
2. Vinegar. Dilute a tablespoon of 9% vinegar in a liter of warm water and wipe off the dirt with a well-wrung cotton pad.
3. Ammonium chloride and peroxide. In a glass of warm water, dilute a teaspoon of ammonia and peroxide. Wipe the stain with a carefully wrung sponge.
4. Milk, soda and ammonia. Dissolve a couple of teaspoons of soda and a few drops of ammonia in a glass of warm milk. Wipe contaminated areas.
5. Eraser. Use a regular student eraser (only soft and neutral colors). It will help to remove pen marks and other stains from a light nubuck.
6. Professional cleaners. Use a foam cleaner from well-known shoe manufacturers. Foam is applied both to the surface of the nubuck and to the sponge.Gently rub the cleaner into the contaminated area of ​​the skin and use a special brush to remove the remnants of the product.

... and on black

On dark shoes under the influence of various chemicals and salt, which are strewn with winter roads, unpleasant salt stains and stains always form. “Dry” is difficult to remove. Soap solution is excluded. A wet napkin will help out, and in especially difficult cases - “filling” with a spray of the corresponding color.

5 rules for leaving

The process of caring for shoes made of nubuck begins in the store when you buy a pair of new nubuck boots or sneakers. In addition to the new thing, be sure to purchase special tools, and the regular implementation of the following five rules will keep the shoes in perfect condition for a long time.

1. Regularity. Nubuck shoes need to be put in order regularly (daily and preferably twice - in the morning and in the evening).
2. Lack of moisture and cleanliness. It is important not to get wet and heavily soiled nubuck. Remove fresh dirt from the soles and heels with a damp cloth.
3. Pre-drying. Shoes must be completely dry for cleaning. Before cleaning the nubuck from dirt, it is necessary to dry thoroughly in a natural way (from 30 minutes to three to four hours). You can use shoe dryers or junk paper (such as old newspapers). Under the ban - drying with a hairdryer, fan or heater. This instantly deforms the shoes.
4. Special brush. Clean nubuck with a special rubber brush (without cream). It eliminates dust and minor impurities.
5. Impregnation. An important stage of care after removing dirt is the impregnation of nubuck with water-repellent and protective compounds.

Features of competent storage

An ideal option for the proper storage of nubuck products is a regular cardboard box. It must be placed in a dry place, away from heating appliances and moisture sources. Plastic bags are contraindicated as storage. They nubuck will get an unpleasant odor. The following tips will help you prepare your shoes and bag for storage.

• Footwear. Before laying in a box, the surface must be brushed, then with a special spray apply a protective water-repellent layer. After drying, paint with nubuck shoe spray.
• A bag. It should be stored in a box freely, without any pressure or pressure. Otherwise, it will lose its shape and it will be impossible to restore it. All removable parts must be inserted inside the bag itself, after aligning and locking in position to avoid deformation.

Knowledge of how to care for a nubuck at home will save you from having to use dry cleaning services. With regular and quality care, things from nubuck will last at least two to three seasons. If we talk about shoes - alternate wearing several pairs. In addition, nubuck and suede have a “memory", so products made from these materials will long retain their original shape. Do not wear them every day, so that in a state of rest, the nubuck will regenerate itself.