Leather Shoe Care Guide

Genuine leather is like skin — it needs regular care to stay soft, strong, and beautiful. With proper care, your Rob & Mara shoes can last for years and age beautifully over time.

This guide answers the most common questions we receive and shows you how to properly care for your particular pair, based on the type of leather it's made from.

Golden Rules of Leather Care

• Avoid water, heat, and direct sunlight.
• Clean gently and condition regularly (but not excessively).
• Always air dry — never heat dry.
• Store in a cool, dry place.
• When in doubt, do less. Over-cleaning and over-conditioning cause more damage than a little dust ever will.

Not Sure What Leather Your Shoes Are Made Of?

Check your product page, order confirmation, or the inside label of your shoebox — this tells you the exact leather type. If you're still unsure, message us with your order number and we'll confirm before you clean your shoes. Using the wrong method for your leather type is the most common cause of accidental damage.

If Your Shoes Get Wet

Leather is porous and not waterproof. Rain happens — don't panic. Follow these steps as soon as you can:

1. Remove laces and insoles if possible.
2. Blot (don't rub) moisture using a clean, dry towel.
3. Stuff shoes with plain paper or a clean cloth to hold their shape and absorb moisture (avoid newspaper — the ink can transfer).
4. Let dry indoors, away from direct heat, ideally with some airflow (a fan on low, or a well-ventilated room).
5. Never dry under direct sun or with a hairdryer.

Heat dries out leather too quickly and can cause cracking, shrinking, warping, and discoloration — damage that cannot be reversed.

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Smooth Leather (Full-Grain / Top-Grain)

This applies to most Rob & Mara shoes with a natural, unfinished, matte-to-slightly-sheened surface.

Daily Care

• Wipe away dust and dirt with a dry, soft cloth after each wear.
• Let shoes air out for at least an hour before storing them.

Regular Cleaning (every 1–2 weeks, or as needed)

1. Wipe dirt off using a dry, soft cloth.
2. For light grime, wipe gently with a slightly damp (not wet) cloth.
3. Air dry for at least 30 minutes indoors before wearing again.

Conditioning & Moisturizing (every 1–2 months)

Unconditioned leather can dry out and crack over time.

• Apply a small amount of neutral leather conditioner or shoe cream.
• Let it absorb for a few minutes.
• Buff gently using a horsehair brush or soft cloth.

Tip: Neutral (colorless) polish works safely on all colors. Colored polish should only be used if it's an exact match — otherwise it can stain lighter leathers.

Scuffs & Light Stains

• Use saddle soap or a mild soap solution (1 part soap : 7 parts water).
• Wipe gently in small circular motions using a soft cloth.
• Wipe again with a clean, barely damp cloth to remove soap residue.
• Condition after the leather has fully dried.

Avoid alcohol, acetone, bleach, or "magic eraser" type sponges — these strip the leather's natural finish.

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Nubuck & Suede

These are napped leathers with a soft, velvety surface. They are the most delicate leather types we use and require dry care only.

Daily & Regular Care

• Brush regularly with a dedicated nubuck/suede brush, using light, even strokes in one direction.
• Brush in a circular motion over dusty areas to lift dirt before it sets in.
• For stains, use a suede-specific eraser or cleaner — never soap or water.
• Apply a suede/nubuck protector spray every 3–6 months, especially before the rainy season.

If suede gets wet, do not brush it while damp. Let it air dry completely first, then brush gently to restore the nap.

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Kidskin, Calfskin & Lambskin (Natural, Unfinished)

These are extra-soft, thin leathers with a delicate surface — more supple than cowhide, but also more sensitive to friction and moisture.

Daily Care

• Wipe with a soft microfiber cloth after each wear.
• Avoid dragging your feet or wearing these shoes on rough pavement, gravel, or during long commutes involving a lot of walking on abrasive surfaces — the thin leather scuffs more easily than sturdier cowhide.

Cleaning

• Use only a soft, dry or slightly damp microfiber cloth for light dirt.
• For tougher marks, use a mild soap heavily diluted with water, applied sparingly, then wipe again with a clean damp cloth to remove residue.
• Dry naturally, away from direct heat.

Conditioning

Condition lightly and less frequently than smooth leather — every 2–3 months, or when the leather starts to feel dry. Use a light leather cream in a thin layer; too much conditioner can oversaturate this thinner leather.

Avoid alcohol, acetone, bleach, and abrasive cleaners on all soft leathers — they strip natural oils and can cause permanent discoloration.

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Paint-Coated Lambskin Leather

Some Rob & Mara styles use paint-coated lambskin — genuine lambskin finished with a protective, pigmented coating. This coating gives a more even color, adds stain resistance, and provides extra protection against everyday wear, while keeping the natural softness of lambskin underneath. Because the surface behaves differently from unfinished leather, it has its own care routine below.

Daily Care

• Wipe away dust with a soft microfiber cloth after each wear.
• If needed, wipe gently with a slightly damp cloth.
• Dry immediately with a clean towel.
• Avoid letting dirt sit on the surface for long periods — it's easier to remove when fresh.

Cleaning

For light dirt, use only:

• Soft microfiber cloth
• Clean water

For tougher dirt:

• Mild soap diluted with water, applied with a soft cloth
• Wipe again using clean water to remove soap residue
• Dry immediately

Avoid: alcohol, acetone, bleach, baby wipes, wet wipes containing alcohol, magic erasers, and abrasive cleaners. These can damage the painted finish.

Conditioning

Unlike unfinished leather, paint-coated leather does not need frequent conditioning. Only condition when the leather begins to feel unusually dry.

• Use a neutral leather cream or water-based leather conditioner.
• Apply only a very thin layer.
• Do not over-condition — excess oils can't penetrate the painted surface easily and may leave a greasy residue on top instead of absorbing.

Polishing

To restore shine, use a neutral shoe cream and a soft microfiber cloth, buffing gently. Avoid heavily pigmented waxes unless they exactly match your shoe's color.

Water Exposure

The paint coating offers better water resistance than unfinished leather, but it is not waterproof.

• Do not soak the shoes or wear them in heavy rain.
• If wet, wipe off water immediately, stuff shoes with plain paper, and air dry indoors.
• Never use a hair dryer or place shoes in direct sunlight to dry them.

Scratches & Scuffs

The painted coating protects the leather beneath it, but sharp objects can still scratch through it. Be mindful around dragging feet, sharp concrete edges, metal furniture, and pet claws.

For light surface scuffs, use a damp microfiber cloth first, then apply a small amount of neutral leather cream if needed.

What to Avoid on Paint-Coated Lambskin

• ❌ Machine washing
• ❌ Bleach
• ❌ Alcohol-based cleaners
• ❌ Strong detergents
• ❌ Shoe polish containing solvents
• ❌ Hair dryers
• ❌ Direct sunlight
• ❌ Leaving shoes inside a hot car

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Odor & Sweaty Shoes

Leather is breathable, but trapped moisture can still cause odor over time.

1. Lightly mist white vinegar diluted with water inside the shoes (avoid oversaturating).
2. Let dry completely before wearing or storing.
3. Add a small pouch of baking soda overnight, then shake it out the next day.

Don't overuse baking soda — direct, repeated contact can dry out and dull the leather lining.

Storage

• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, heaters, and high humidity.
• Use shoe trees or stuff shoes with tissue paper to help them hold their shape.
• Store inside a dust bag or shoe box when not in regular use.
• Let shoes air out after wearing, before putting them away.
• Give leather shoes a rest day between wears when possible — this lets them fully dry out and recover their shape.

Never store shoes while they're still damp — trapped moisture is one of the leading causes of mold, odor, and lining damage.

Cleaning Rubber Soles

1. Brush off dry dirt using an old toothbrush.
2. Mix a small amount of baking soda with mild detergent and water.
3. Scrub the rubber gently, avoiding the leather upper.
4. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.
5. Dry completely before wearing again.

What's Normal (Not a Defect)

Genuine leather is a natural material, and every pair ages a little differently. Over time, it's normal — and expected — to see:

• Creasing at the flex points of the shoe
• Slight softening of the leather with wear
• Minor surface marks or subtle color variation from normal use
• Small texture or grain differences between left and right shoes, or between pairs — a natural trait of genuine leather, not a flaw

These characteristics are part of what makes leather beautiful as it ages, and they are not considered manufacturing defects.

Final Tip

Leather improves with care. A few minutes of maintenance each month, matched to your shoe's specific leather type, can greatly extend the life and beauty of your pair.

If you have questions or you're unsure how to treat a particular stain or mark, message us anytime — we're happy to help before you try anything that might affect your shoes.