Shoe care Overview
Shoe care is important for all types of shoes, but safety shoes in particular are often exposed to environments where shoe care is especially important. Our safety shoes are made for hard-working feet. Hard work often means dirty environments and other factors that cause wear and tear on shoes. Our shoes are designed to withstand this - that's what they're made for. But as with anything else that is exposed to dirt and wear, some maintenance is required to ensure that the shoes last extra long. We have developed a guide to help you take care of your shoes in the best possible way. If you have any questions about your shoes, you can always contact us, we are always happy to help.
1. Care
2. Things to consider
3. Frequently asked questions
Care
When you buy a pair of safety shoes or occupational shoes from us, you have invested in a product of the highest quality – affordable pension insurance for your hard-working feet. To ensure that the shoes can withstand tough use and long working hours, it is important to care for them properly. This extends their durability and guarantees your safety. Here are some tips on how to care for your work shoes. New shoes should be brushed, polished and waterproofed before use. The shoes are only polished when they leave our factory. Protecting hard-working feet is part of our design philosophy and permeates everything we do.
Cleaning
Brush the shoes with a cleaning brush. Clean the shoes with a cloth, water and mild soap if necessary. Never use acetone or any other solvent. An old toothbrush makes it easy to reach the edge of the sole.
Care
Lubricate the leather with an uncoloured shoe cream or the shoe cream that best suits the colour of the shoes. Apply an even and thin layer. Use a polishing cloth/rag, shoe brush or nylon stocking to distribute the cream. Work the cream thoroughly into the leather. Then brush off the shoes. If the shoes are made of suede or nubuck, first use a conditioner and then brush them with a suede brush.
Protection
Apply or spray waterproofing agent on leather shoes. Waterproof textile materials, suede and nubuck with waterproofing spray. Pay particular attention to seams and edges. Wipe off any excess waterproofing agent and brush the surface. For extra shine, you can use a shine product in the colour of your choice.
If you have leather work shoes that are exposed to harsh, wet environments, it is important to lubricate them with shoe grease or other leather grease. This will make them last longer, become more supple and withstand moisture better. Lubricate as needed.
Your shoes now have very good basic protection. However, to keep your shoes in good condition, they should continue to be maintained and impregnated at regular intervals.
Things to remember
Treat the leather like your own skin
Just like your skin, leather is a living material. Dirt clogs the pores and wears out the shoe faster. Therefore, keep your shoes clean and dry when not in use.
Put your shoes on and take them off properly
Be careful with the back of your shoes by always using a shoehorn when putting them on and untying the laces, loosening the buckles or Velcro straps before taking them off again. This will prevent you from trampling on and damaging the back of the shoe. Our heel caps are made of extra durable material, but if you put on your shoes incorrectly for a long time, the material on top will eventually wear out.
Use your work shoes regularly – they will last longer
Our soles are made of nitrile rubber and PU (polyurethane) – materials that age over time. This ageing process is something we need to take into account as a manufacturer with environmental responsibility for our products. Like a dried rubber band or old car tyres, the decay process begins when the product is left lying around. They harden, become brittle and crack. Strangely enough, the breakdown happens faster if the shoes are not used than if the material is put to work. This process can take different amounts of time depending on storage, sunlight and temperature differences. We recommend that you store your shoes indoors at normal room temperature – and that you use your shoes regularly to avoid the product breaking down due to lack of use.
Frequently asked questions
Can I wash my work shoes in the washing machine?
Arbesko shoes should not be washed in the washing machine as this dries out and shrinks the leather and can cause the protective properties to be lost. However, you can still clean your shoes effectively if you simply want to freshen them up: remove the insoles and wash them with your next 40°C wash. Do not tumble dry the insoles; instead, let them dry on a radiator or other slightly warmer place. You can easily clean the outside with a cloth, water and a little mild soap if necessary. Never use acetone or any other solvent. An old toothbrush will help you reach the edge of the sole.
How do I care for wet work shoes?
If your work shoes have become wet, they should be wiped with a damp cloth and stuffed with newspaper (the paper absorbs the moisture). Then leave the shoes to dry at room temperature. If the shoes dry too quickly, the leather will become brittle and crack easily. Alternatively, you can use an (electric) shoe dryer. When the shoes are completely dry again, they should be brushed, polished/lubricated and re-impregnated before you use them again.
How do I get rid of bad odours in my work shoes?
If your shoes smell bad, you can put them in the freezer and leave them there for at least 24 hours. After that, you can spray in a little foot deodorant.
How often should I replace my insoles?
For hygienic reasons, many people replace their insoles, but when it comes to work shoes, this should be done with caution. If you want to replace your insoles, replace them with the same insoles that came with the work shoes. If you switch to a different brand, you are changing the work shoe and the shoe will lose its protective properties. This is because the shoe is certified together with the insole. To freshen up the insole, you can wash it at 40°C, but do not tumble dry it. Instead, let it dry on a radiator or in another slightly warmer place.
How do I care for shoes that are used in harsh environments?
If your leather work shoes are exposed to harsh, wet environments, it is a good idea to lubricate them with shoe grease or other leather grease. This will make them last longer, become more supple and withstand moisture better. Lubricate regularly. During the winter, when your shoes are likely to be exposed to snow and slush, it is especially important to lubricate them with grease. The better you take care of your shoes, the longer they will last.
My feet sweat a lot when I work. What can I do?
We sweat between 4 and 6 centilitres per foot per day. Foot moisture is absorbed into the lining and other materials closest to the foot, and it is important that the moisture has a chance to dry out. Therefore, let your shoes rest every other day so that they have time to dry properly. This will make them last much longer and be even more comfortable to wear. Feel free to alternate between two pairs of Arbesko shoes.
How often should safety shoes be replaced?
There is no simple answer to that question. It depends entirely on how the shoes are used. Safety shoes are used in different environments and in different ways. A shoe that lasts three months for one person may last over a year for another. What can be said with certainty is that shoes will wear out and need to be replaced. After a while, the sole will wear down and the same grip can no longer be guaranteed. A shoe that has suffered damage that is more than superficial should always be replaced. A damaged shoe is a safety risk and the safety certification no longer applies to a shoe that has been damaged.
How should I store my work shoes?
We recommend that you store your shoes indoors at normal room temperature and that you use your shoes regularly as the material ages over time. If the product is left lying around for too long, the ageing process is accelerated. They stiffen, become brittle and crack - so it is better to use the shoes regularly so that the material can work.
