What does cleaning or refurbishing a shoe mean?

For the inside of the shoe, start by cleaning any marks with white vinegar. White vinegar is very effective and leaves no traces on the leather, making it a powerful ally at this stage. Finish by wiping with 90° alcohol to fully disinfect the interior.

It's also entirely possible to replace the insole, also known as the sockliner, with a new one. This is a small technical operation that can completely reassure new owners of a pre-owned pair. Note that doing so will mean losing the brand logo, which is usually stamped on the insole.

For the exterior, nothing beats Marseille soap on smooth, stained leather. A damp cloth should be used for this. Small scuff marks will disappear with shoe polish chosen in the same shade as the leather.

Suede, however, requires a little more attention. We have two possible methods to restore the original color of your shoes. The "grandmother's" method consists of mixing lukewarm water, white vinegar, and a little dish soap, then rubbing the suede with the mixture once, and then rubbing again with clear water. The second method is to purchase a suede shampoo. In both cases, the results are astonishing!

The sole is in constant contact with the ground, making it the part that wears out the fastest. You'll need to pay close attention to its wear and waterproofing. Beautiful leather shoes often feature leather soles. To ensure their longevity, it's advisable to add a protective and waterproofing sole guard. A complete resole can also be considered if the sole is too damaged.

For rubber or synthetic soles, your expert cobbler can also offer a resole.

The heel, whether flat or high, is subject to various forms of wear, sometimes even damaging the wood at its core. The cobbler usually replaces the part of the heel directly in contact with the ground but can change the entire heel. If only the heel tip is replaced, it is often made of rubber or plastic.

{'Some high heels are covered in leather to match the shoe's style. Two solutions if they have snags': 'cover the heel with a new piece of leather, or simply fill the snags with a special wax. Subway grates and gaps between cobblestones are fatal to them!'}