Sustainable shoe care – How to clean your vegan shoes
Vegan shoe care
Even vegan shoes require care to ensure they last. Regular care keeps the material flexible and increases the lifespan of your animal-friendly shoes. Smooth uppers have similar properties to smooth leather and require regular moisture to remain elastic and prevent brittleness. Dirt can often be easily removed with a brush or damp sponge. Textiles like microfiber or cotton, on the other hand, are more delicate, and removing stains isn't always easy. With our care tips, it's sure to work!
Which materials should be cared for and how?
Smooth surfaces (synthetic smooth leather | PU | microfiber | plant-based leather)
Surfaces such as PU (polyurethane) and microfiber fabrics with a smooth surface, as well as vegan leather alternatives (e.g., corn or apple leather), can be cleaned of coarse dirt with a soft brush and then cleaned with a damp cloth and mild soap. Discoloration or abrasions can be repaired with a vegan shoe polish in the appropriate color. Regular care with a vegan shoe polish (about once a month) maintains the elasticity of the material. To protect your shoes from moisture and dirt, we recommend treating them with a waterproofing spray before wearing them for the first time. Waterproofing sprays are not necessarily environmentally friendly, but they can significantly increase the lifespan of your shoes. So whether you use them in moderation or avoid them is entirely up to you.
Textile, fabric & faux suede (cotton, microfiber, mesh, neoprene)
Soft uppers like faux suede are usually made of microfiber. However, you can also find surfaces made of natural materials like cotton or hemp in our shop. Sporty sneakers are often made of nylon, mesh, or even neoprene. These types of fabrics are generally more sensitive to moisture and mechanical stress. Therefore, always allow damp dirt to dry first and then remove it as thoroughly as possible with a soft shoe brush. If that's not enough, you can carefully work a vegan cleaning foam into the fabric using a damp sponge or cloth. Avoid soaking the material and always pat dry immediately to prevent water stains. Stuff the shoes with paper towels or newspaper to dry and store them in a well-ventilated area. Do not place or place shoes directly next to a heater!
Be careful when cleaning mesh or neoprene and use only a very soft brush. Hard brushes and coarse sponges can damage the fabric!
Piñatex
Piñatex is a robust material that can be cleaned with a soft brush or a damp cloth. To maintain the material, you should regularly (about once a month) work a colorless or color-matching shoe polish into it to keep the material soft and flexible.
cork
Cork is naturally a water-repellent and durable material. However, shoes with cork soles or uppers should not be worn in wet weather. Dirt can be easily removed with a damp cloth and a mild mixture of soap and water. Alternatively, you can also mix water and baking soda into a cleaning paste. Use a shoe brush or an old toothbrush to remove dirt from the cork pores. Cork insoles can also be washed with mild soap and a sponge or cloth. Always allow the material to dry completely afterwards, but do not place it near a heater or in direct sunlight.
You can carefully treat particularly stubborn stains with fine sandpaper. But be careful, this method removes a layer of the cork and is therefore only intended as a last resort.
soles
Shoe soles can generally be cleaned well with a brush. Here, too, we recommend a dry treatment to avoid soaking the upper material and the seams or adhesive joints between the upper and sole. Therefore, remove dirt and grime from the tread with a dry brush, and gently wipe away dirt from the sides of the soles with a damp cloth without running the shoes under water. For white or colored sneaker soles, we recommend using special sneaker cleaners or an environmentally friendly scouring cream.
Waterproofing vegan shoes
It's no secret that commercially available waterproofing sprays are not environmentally friendly. In addition to aerosols, most sprays contain a number of substances such as fluorocarbons (PFCs), silicone oils, plasticizers, butane, and propane, which are considered harmful to the environment and human health.
However, a waterproofing spray can significantly extend the lifespan of shoes. The resulting protective layer keeps water and dirt away from the upper material and makes cleaning easier. Waterproofing can be particularly beneficial for trekking and outdoor shoes, but also for shoes that are exposed to a wide range of weather conditions in daily use. Manufacturers of Gore-Tex® also recommend regular waterproofing to maintain the breathability of the material. Therefore, anyone who values durability and functionality should consider whether waterproofing with an aerosol spray is still beneficial. After all, durability means fewer discarded shoes. Highly effective waterproofing sprays from Collonil create a protective membrane around the shoe, providing lasting protection against moisture and dirt. Of course, these should be used sparingly to keep the environmental impact as low as possible.
For those who prefer to avoid chemicals, AVESU also offers eco-friendly care products. Goodstep products are 100% vegan, water-based, and biodegradable. The 2Go Sustainable Waterbased Protector is just as effective as conventional waterproofing products and can even be safely used indoors.
More tips
Dirt and moisture
Always allow dirt on textile materials to dry first and then treat with as little moisture as possible! This way, you avoid spreading the dirt and causing water stains.
Shoe wash cycle?
We generally advise against washing shoes in the washing machine. Most materials and adhesives in shoes are sensitive to excessive moisture and heat, plus the mechanical stress of the rinse cycle. If you must, be sure to use a laundry net to protect your shoes. Remove laces and insoles and wash only at cold temperatures (30°C).
Drying shoes
Never place shoes directly next to a heater to dry them! Just like leather shoes, vegan shoes contain adhesives that can be sensitive to heat. Instead, stuff them with paper and place them in a well-ventilated area.
In good shape
Dented shoes? Especially if you haven't worn them for a while or your shoe closet is jammed full, shoes can become unsightly deformed. You can keep business shoes or pumps in shape with shoe trees, and softer shoes like sneakers can simply be padded with paper.
Travel tip: If your suitcase is really tight, stuff your shoes with socks or underwear so they'll still be in great shape after your trip!
Prevention
A waterproofing spray seals the upper material and seams of the shoe, thus keeping out moisture. It also makes it harder for dirt to stick to the material. Waterproofing is therefore always a good idea, not just for winter shoes! You can find professional waterproofing spray in our care products.
Means to an end
Whether shoe polish, waterproofing spray or cleaning foam, in our Vegan Care Products category you will find various sustainable care products for all applications.