Leather Care & Maintenance
Protect What
Lasts a Lifetime
Your Hudson Pelle shoes are crafted from the finest genuine leather. Proper care preserves their beauty, extends their life, and deepens their character over time.
Five Steps to
Pristine Leather
Follow this routine after every wear for lasting results.
Remove Surface Dirt
Use a soft-bristle brush or dry cloth to gently remove any dust, mud, or debris immediately after wear. Never use abrasive materials.
Clean with Conditioner
Apply a small amount of quality leather cleaner on a soft cloth. Work in gentle circular motions to lift oils and stains without stripping moisture.
Allow to Dry Naturally
Let your shoes air-dry at room temperature away from direct sunlight or heat sources. Stuff with cedar shoe trees to maintain their shape as they dry.
Nourish & Condition
Once dry, apply a leather conditioner using circular strokes. This replenishes essential oils, prevents cracking, and restores supple texture.
Polish & Protect
Finish with a matching leather cream or wax polish. Buff with a horsehair brush for a deep shine. Apply a water-repellent spray for extra protection.
Care by Leather Type
Different finishes demand different approaches. Select your shoe's leather type below.
Classic Smooth Leather
The most common leather finish on Hudson Pelle dress shoes. Smooth leather is durable and develops a rich patina with proper care.
- Wipe with a horsehair brush or soft damp cloth after each wear
- Apply a neutral or matching shoe cream every 2–3 weeks
- Use a high-quality wax polish for shine and water resistance
- Buff in small circular motions until the leather glows
- Condition with mink oil or neatsfoot oil monthly to prevent drying
- Rotate pairs every 2 days to let leather breathe and recover
Suede & Nubuck Leather
Suede and nubuck require a gentler, water-free approach. The brushed texture is delicate but incredibly rich in appearance when well-maintained.
- Use a suede brush to restore the nap after every wear
- Apply suede protector spray before first wear and monthly
- Remove dried stains with a suede eraser — never rub when wet
- Blot liquid spills immediately with a clean, dry cloth
- Never use regular shoe polish or wax on suede
- Store in breathable cotton bags, not plastic boxes
Patent Leather
Patent leather's high-gloss finish is iconic but needs careful handling to prevent scratching or cracking of the lacquered surface.
- Wipe with a barely-damp soft microfibre cloth after each wear
- Use a patent leather cleaner or a drop of petroleum jelly to remove scuffs
- Buff gently with a dry cloth to restore the glossy shine
- Never use standard shoe polish — it will cloud the finish
- Store with tissue paper between pairs to prevent colour transfer
- Avoid prolonged exposure to extreme heat or cold
Oiled / Pull-Up Leather
Pull-up and oiled leathers are beloved for their natural, lived-in appearance. They scratch and mark intentionally, developing a beautiful personal patina.
- Rub light scratches with your fingertip — body heat erases them naturally
- Condition regularly with beeswax or pure leather oil
- Wipe with a damp cloth; dry naturally away from heat
- Embrace the patina — scuffs and marks are part of the character
- Avoid silicone-based products which seal the pores
- Re-wax the sole edges every few months to prevent drying
What To Do —
And What To Avoid
Always Do These
-
Brush After Every Wear Quickly remove surface dust and debris with a horsehair brush to prevent it from grinding into the leather fibres.
-
Condition Regularly Leather is skin — it needs moisture. Condition every 3–4 weeks to prevent cracking and keep it supple.
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Air Them Out After wearing, allow shoes to breathe for at least 24 hours before the next use to release moisture and odour.
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Use Cedar Shoe Trees Cedar trees absorb moisture, maintain shape, and naturally deodorise. Insert immediately after removing shoes.
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Rotate Your Pairs Never wear the same pair two days in a row. Give leather at least 24–48 hours to fully dry and recover.
Always Avoid These
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Never Soak in Water Excessive water weakens stitching, warps the last, and dries out leather. If caught in rain, stuff with paper and air-dry slowly.
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Avoid Direct Heat & Sunlight Radiators, direct sun, and hair dryers cause leather to crack and colour to fade. Always dry at room temperature.
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Don't Use Household Cleaners Dish soap, baby wipes, and chemical cleaners strip natural oils from leather. Use only leather-specific products.
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Don't Store in Plastic Plastic traps moisture and promotes mould. Use breathable cotton bags or the original box with air holes.
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Avoid Road Salt Build-Up In winter, rinse off road salt promptly — it rapidly damages leather and stitching if left to crystallise.
Storing Your Leather
for the Long Run
Proper storage is the final step in shoe care. Follow these guidelines to ensure your Hudson Pelle shoes stay pristine through any season.
-
01
Clean Before Storing
Always clean and condition your shoes before putting them away for any length of time. Dirt and oils left on leather will degrade it during storage.
-
02
Insert Shoe Trees
Cedar shoe trees hold the shape and absorb residual moisture. If cedar trees aren't available, stuff loosely with acid-free tissue paper.
-
03
Use Breathable Bags
Store each pair in a soft cotton or flannel bag. This protects from dust and light without trapping humidity.
-
04
Choose a Cool, Dry Location
Avoid attics, basements, or car boots — temperature extremes and humidity are the enemies of leather. A cupboard at room temperature is ideal.
-
05
Re-Condition Before Wearing Again
After extended storage, apply conditioner before wearing. This rehydrates the leather and prepares it for movement again.
How Often Should You Care
for Your Shoes?
A quick reference guide to keep every care task on schedule.
| Task | Frequency | Why It Matters | Products Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brushing off dust & debris | After Every Wear | Prevents surface grit from scratching and embedding into the grain | Horsehair brush or dry cloth |
| Checking for water stains | After Every Wear | Water marks set quickly and are harder to remove once dry | Damp cloth, leather cleaner |
| Polishing & buffing | Weekly | Maintains the surface sheen and provides a protective barrier | Shoe cream, wax polish, buff cloth |
| Full conditioning treatment | Monthly | Replenishes oils and prevents dryness and cracking of the leather | Leather conditioner, soft cloth |
| Deep clean (upper & lining) | Monthly | Removes built-up salt, oils and bacteria from inside and out | Leather cleaner, brush, cloth |
| Water repellent re-application | Seasonal | Protects against rain and humidity before changing weather conditions | Waterproofing spray |
| Sole & welt inspection | Seasonal | Catches early signs of sole separation or welt damage before it worsens | Cobbler / edge dressing |
| Professional resoling assessment | Annually | Extends the lifespan significantly; Goodyear-welted shoes can be resoled many times | Professional cobbler |
Questions About Your Shoes?
Our leather craftsmen are happy to advise on care for any Hudson Pelle product.
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