Care Guide
How to care for your Kennel & Schmenger shoes
Care suited to material and surface
The right care helps to preserve the look, suppleness and shape of high-quality shoes. What matters is that cleaning and care suit the respective type of leather and surface. You will find the material information for your model on the respective product page.
Care by material
Before every application
The most important basic rules
- Always test each product on an inconspicuous area first, as colour and surface may change.
- Follow the instructions for use of the respective care product.
- Never wash shoes in the washing machine and do not immerse them completely in water.
- Remove dirt as soon as possible so that it does not penetrate deeper into the material.
- Let your shoes air out after wearing and give them time to dry completely.
When moisture comes into play
What to do if your shoes get wet?
- Gently dab off moisture with a soft cloth without rubbing the material. Loosely fill the shoes with light-coloured, unprinted paper and let them dry at room temperature.
- Avoid radiators, hair dryers and direct sunlight. Excessive heat can dry out, harden or deform leather. Once the shoes are completely dry, care for them according to the respective type of leather.
Smooth leather and nappa leather
Smooth leather has a comparatively closed surface. Nappa leather is also a smooth leather, but is particularly soft and supple and should therefore be treated with special care.
Before wearing for the first time
A protective or waterproofing product suitable for the type of leather can help protect the leather from moisture and dirt. Apply it sparingly and evenly to the dry shoe. With particularly soft or light-coloured nappa leather, the product should always be tested beforehand.
When dirty
Remove dust and loose dirt with a soft brush or a dry cloth. Light dirt can be carefully removed with a slightly damp cloth. Avoid rubbing hard and do not soak the leather.
For regular care
Apply a thin layer of leather cream or care lotion suitable for smooth or nappa leather with a soft cloth. Let the product soak in and then gently buff the surface. The care product should be colourless or matched to the colour of the leather.
After wearing
Remove surface dirt and let the shoes air out well. For closed models, a suitable shoe tree can help to maintain the shape and gently smooth out natural creases.
Suede and nubuck
Velours leather – internationally known as suede – and nubuck leather have a velvety surface. Care creams, waxes and oil-based products are not suitable for these types of leather, as they can mat the nap or change the colour.
Before wearing for the first time
Treat the clean, dry shoes with a waterproofing spray expressly suitable for suede and nubuck leather. Spray the product evenly according to the manufacturer's instructions and let the shoes dry completely.
When dirty
Let wet dirt or mud dry completely first. Then carefully brush off the residue with a suitable suede or nubuck brush. Individual stains can be gently treated with a suede eraser.
For heavier dirt
Only use a special cleaner for suede or nubuck leather. Treat a continuous area as evenly as possible so that no visible marks remain. Test the cleaner on an inconspicuous area first.
After cleaning
Let the shoe dry at room temperature. Then gently brush the surface in one direction to raise the nap again and create an even appearance. Renew the protection as needed with a suitable waterproofing spray.
Patent leather, metallic and special surfaces
Patent leather, metallic leather and coated surfaces get their shine and special look from a finish. This finish is sensitive to friction, scratches and unsuitable care products. Cleaning and care should therefore be precisely matched to the respective surface.
Before wearing for the first time
Only use a protective product if it is expressly approved for the respective surface. Especially with metallic effects and coated leathers, compatibility should first be tested on an inconspicuous area.
When dirty
Remove dust with a soft, lint-free cloth. Light dirt can be carefully removed with a barely damp cloth. Avoid rubbing hard, hard brushes and abrasive cleaning agents.
For care
Only use a special patent leather care product for patent leather. Metallic and foil surfaces must not be treated with conventional shoe polish, wax or polish, as this can alter their shine and effect. For textile surfaces, satin, mesh or material combinations, the care instructions for the respective model apply.
After wearing
Store shoes with delicate surfaces protected from friction, scratches and direct sunlight. A shoe bag can prevent the surface from coming into contact with other shoes or materials during storage.
Which care suits my model?
If you cannot clearly identify the type of leather or surface, our Material Guide will help you classify it. You can also find the materials used on the respective product page. If you have any questions about suitable cleaning and care, our customer service will be happy to help.