By Eula Nichols
Venetian shoe cream has many loyal fans. It has been made by a small firm called C. A. Zoes in Chicago since 1907 and contains an effective combination of cleaning agents, natural oils and waxes. It not only cleans but shines and protects too.
Leather, unlike rubber or synthetic fibers, needs to be treated with great care to look its best. Think of it as the covering of a living animal, receiving all the oils necessary to keep it soft, pliable and breathable. No wonder it becomes stiff and dry when not treated. The main culprits are heat and caked on mud. Continued flexing of dirty, brittle leather causes a breakdown of fibers and cracking.
Leather, unlike rubber or synthetic fibers, needs to be treated with great care to look its best. Think of it as the covering of a living animal, receiving all the oils necessary to keep it soft, pliable and breathable. No wonder it becomes stiff and dry when not treated. The main culprits are heat and caked on mud. Continued flexing of dirty, brittle leather causes a breakdown of fibers and cracking.
In order to prevent cracking, preventative maintenance is imperative. Lubrication is necessary for the leather to breathe. A decision about which product to use may be difficult as there are so many available at local and online stores. Bear in mind that not all products are equal and also that there are different types of leather, requiring particular products. Some products are more suited to certain types of leather than others. Another factor to bear in mind is that application needs to be done on a consistent basis to achieve optimum results.
The label on this quality cream says that it works on calfskin, patent leather and kid. Horween Leather Company, well known for their high quality leathers, says on their website that this product is well suited to a variety of leather types, including Chromexcel, Essex and Shell Cordovan. This recommendation from an actual manufacturer carries weight. If properly taken care of, shell cordovan can last for over 30 years. Many find that it looks better with age, as it develops a nice patina.
One can purchase this product from several online vendors. Prices are reasonable, particularly when compared with other products. It may sometimes difficult to find it in smaller quantities. There are 32oz tins available, containing enough product to last for a long time. However, smaller bottles of 4oz are currently on offer too.
The consistency of the product makes it simple to apply. Only a small amount is needed to create an even layer over the shoes. The contents need to be shaken before application and any surface dirt should be removed from the shoes. Application with a soft cloth is suggested but some people prefer to use their fingertips to work it in. After applying it, simply let it sit then wipe it down and buff to a light sheen using a soft, dry cloth.
<
The label on this quality cream says that it works on calfskin, patent leather and kid. Horween Leather Company, well known for their high quality leathers, says on their website that this product is well suited to a variety of leather types, including Chromexcel, Essex and Shell Cordovan. This recommendation from an actual manufacturer carries weight. If properly taken care of, shell cordovan can last for over 30 years. Many find that it looks better with age, as it develops a nice patina.
One can purchase this product from several online vendors. Prices are reasonable, particularly when compared with other products. It may sometimes difficult to find it in smaller quantities. There are 32oz tins available, containing enough product to last for a long time. However, smaller bottles of 4oz are currently on offer too.
The consistency of the product makes it simple to apply. Only a small amount is needed to create an even layer over the shoes. The contents need to be shaken before application and any surface dirt should be removed from the shoes. Application with a soft cloth is suggested but some people prefer to use their fingertips to work it in. After applying it, simply let it sit then wipe it down and buff to a light sheen using a soft, dry cloth.
<
One can purchase this product from several online vendors. Prices are reasonable, particularly when compared with other products. It may sometimes difficult to find it in smaller quantities. There are 32oz tins available, containing enough product to last for a long time. However, smaller bottles of 4oz are currently on offer too.
The consistency of the product makes it simple to apply. Only a small amount is needed to create an even layer over the shoes. The contents need to be shaken before application and any surface dirt should be removed from the shoes. Application with a soft cloth is suggested but some people prefer to use their fingertips to work it in. After applying it, simply let it sit then wipe it down and buff to a light sheen using a soft, dry cloth.
The product can enter the brogue holes on shoes when applied. Do not be concerned about this as long as it is brushed before leaving too long. One of the reasons why it needs to be applied sparingly as it contains turpentine which can remove some of the polish.
Even old shell shoes that have been dull for years can benefit from being treated with Venetian shoe cream. Its neutral color means it works with all colors of leather, a particularly helpful aspect when caring for two tone shoes. With a little preventative maintenance, there is no reason why leather shoes should not look their best, even after many years of wear.
The consistency of the product makes it simple to apply. Only a small amount is needed to create an even layer over the shoes. The contents need to be shaken before application and any surface dirt should be removed from the shoes. Application with a soft cloth is suggested but some people prefer to use their fingertips to work it in. After applying it, simply let it sit then wipe it down and buff to a light sheen using a soft, dry cloth.
The product can enter the brogue holes on shoes when applied. Do not be concerned about this as long as it is brushed before leaving too long. One of the reasons why it needs to be applied sparingly as it contains turpentine which can remove some of the polish.
Even old shell shoes that have been dull for years can benefit from being treated with Venetian shoe cream. Its neutral color means it works with all colors of leather, a particularly helpful aspect when caring for two tone shoes. With a little preventative maintenance, there is no reason why leather shoes should not look their best, even after many years of wear.