How to look after your OLAVOGA shoes? User and care guide
OLAVOGA shoes can really complete an outfit, but even the best pair doesn’t like chaos: washing machines, radiators, walking in a downpour without waterproofing, or forcing your foot into the shoe. This guide has been created as a practical, organised summary of recommendations for the use and care of OLAVOGA footwear. It is designed to help you keep your shoes looking their best for longer, minimise the risk of damage and choose the right cleaning method for the type of material.
At Pasuri, you’ll find original OLAVOGA women’s shoes, styles from the current collections and a selection from the OLAVOGA Men range. Shoe care isn’t just for perfectionists. It’s simply part of using the product, especially for styles made from leather, suede, nubuck, textiles, patent leather elements or light-coloured soles.
This guide is practical in nature and is based on the official recommendations from the manufacturer, OLAVOGA. You can find the manufacturer’s full instructions on the website: OLAVOGA footwear care instructions.
Key rules at a glance
- Do not wash your shoes in the washing machine – this may damage the material, adhesives, seams and sole.
- Do not dry your shoes on a radiator or near a direct heat source.
- Use a shoehorn, particularly for stiffer or taller styles.
- Choose the right care method for the material – full-grain leather, nubuck, suede and fabric require different approaches.
- Waterproof your shoes before first use, provided the material and the manufacturer of the waterproofing product allow it.
- Use your shoes for their intended purpose – some styles are best for everyday wear, others for indoor use, and others for dry weather.
Putting on and taking off OLAVOGA shoes
Proper care begins even before you leave the house. It’s best to put your shoes on gently, without forcing your foot in or bending the back of the upper. With lace-up models, first loosen the laces, then slip your foot in. With boots, combat boots and trainers with a higher upper, it is particularly important not to pull the material at a single point.
A shoehorn isn’t a relic from your grandmother’s hall, but a very sensible tool. It helps protect the heel counter, reduces the risk of deformation and minimises pressure on the seams. If a shoe has a zip, Velcro, laces or an elasticated insert, use these features as intended, rather than treating the footwear as a test of the material’s strength.
Moisture, rain and drying your shoes
Moisture is one of the most common causes of damage to shoes. Even well-maintained shoes can get soaked in the rain, snow or when in contact with wet ground. After such exposure, the most important thing is to allow them to dry gently at room temperature. Shoes should not be placed on a radiator, by a fireplace, under a hair dryer or in direct sunlight.
If your shoes are wet, remove the insoles, loosen the laces and leave them to dry in a well-ventilated place. You can stuff some paper inside to help absorb the moisture, but do not pack it in too tightly so as not to distort the upper. Once dry, assess the condition of the material and only then proceed with cleaning or maintenance.
How should you clean OLAVOGA shoes depending on the material?
There is no single universal method for cleaning all shoes. What works for full-grain leather may damage nubuck. What works for leather-like material won’t necessarily be suitable for suede. Therefore, before using any product, always check the product description, the type of material and the manufacturer’s recommendations for the care product.
Full-grain leather
Remove dirt with a slightly damp, soft cloth or sponge. Once dry at room temperature, you can use a cream or polish designed for full-grain leather. Apply the product thinly and evenly, and once dry, polish the surface with a soft cloth.
Nubuck and suede
For nubuck and velour, use a brush designed for these types of materials. Do not use standard polishes or greasy creams. To refresh the colour and protect the surface, choose aerosol products specifically designed for suede, nubuck or velour.
Leather-like and patent materials
Clean them with a soft cloth or sponge dampened with water. Once dry, you can apply a product designed for synthetic materials or patent leather. Avoid harsh detergents and vigorous rubbing.
Textile materials
Clean any dirt gently, preferably with a sponge and a small amount of mild cleaning agent. Do not soak the whole shoe and do not put it in the washing machine. After cleaning, leave the shoes to dry naturally.
Waterproofing OLAVOGA shoes
Waterproofing helps to reduce the absorption of moisture and dirt, but must be suited to the material. You’ll choose a different product for full-grain leather than for suede, nubuck, velour, textile or a waterproof membrane. Before wearing a new pair for the first time, it is worth checking whether the model requires waterproofing and whether the chosen product is suitable.
It’s best to test the product first on an inconspicuous area. Caution is particularly important with light colours, delicate materials and surfaces with special effects. Care products can alter the colour of the material, so a ‘spray and see’ approach is not a strategy, but an experiment on your own product.
What not to do with OLAVOGA shoes?
Most problems with footwear arise not from wearing them, but from improper cleaning, drying and use. Shoes should not be machine-washed, dried near a strong heat source, soaked extensively or cleaned with random detergents. It is also not advisable to use polishes on materials for which they are not intended.
- Do not wash your shoes in the washing machine.
- Do not dry your shoes on a radiator, with a hairdryer or near a fireplace.
- Do not use polishes designed for nubuck, velour or suede.
- Do not soak the whole shoe whilst cleaning it.
- Do not use strong detergents, bleaches or products not intended for this purpose.
- Do not take your shoes off by pressing the sole of the other shoe against the heel counter.
- Do not ignore wear and tear on heel tips, insoles, laces and other consumable parts.
Natural characteristics of materials and signs of wear
Natural materials may vary in texture, colour and surface finish. In the case of leather, such variations are typical of the raw material and do not necessarily indicate a product defect. Similarly, with unlined shoes or those with a dyed lining, colour transfer may occur, particularly when exposed to moisture, with heavy use or when worn with light-coloured socks.
Wear and tear on the sole, heel caps, laces and insoles is a natural part of use. It’s worth checking the condition of these parts regularly, as replacing a small component early on can prevent the shoes from suffering more serious damage. It’s tedious, but effective. In other words, exactly the sort of advice that works, even though nobody wants to listen to it.
How should you store OLAVOGA shoes?
At the end of the season, it’s worth cleaning your shoes, drying them and storing them in a dry place, away from damp and direct sources of heat. Taller styles, such as knee-high boots, are best stored in such a way that the upper doesn’t crease over a long period. For more delicate materials, storing them in a box or protective bag works well.
Before putting your shoes away, make sure they are dry. Storing damp shoes in a box is a sure-fire way to cause unpleasant odours and damage the material. Your shoes really don’t need their own private sauna.
OLAVOGA shoes at Pasuri
If you’re looking for new styles, check out OLAVOGA’s women’s footwear, women’s boots, women’s trainers, women’s combat boots and men’s footwear. You’ll also find the brand’s latest releases in OLAVOGA New Arrivals and the OLV Collections.
Proper care won’t make your shoes indestructible, as the laws of physics still apply, unfortunately. However, it can significantly help to maintain their appearance, shape and comfort for longer.
Frequently asked questions about caring for OLAVOGA shoes
Can OLAVOGA shoes be machine-washed?
No. OLAVOGA shoes should not be machine-washed, as this may damage the material, seams, adhesives, the shape of the upper or the sole. It is best to clean the shoes by hand, using a method suited to the type of material.
How should I dry wet OLAVOGA shoes?
Soaked shoes should be left to dry at room temperature, away from radiators, tumble dryers, fireplaces and direct sunlight. It is advisable to remove the insoles, loosen the laces and leave the shoes in a well-ventilated place.
What should you use to clean OLAVOGA leather shoes?
Full-grain leather shoes are best cleaned with a soft, slightly damp cloth or sponge. Once dry, you can use a cream or polish designed for full-grain leather, applying a thin layer of the product.
How should you care for OLAVOGA shoes made of nubuck or suede?
Nubuck and velour should be cleaned with a brush designed for these types of materials. Do not use standard shoe polish or greasy creams. To protect and refresh them, you can use spray products designed for suede, nubuck or velour.
Do OLAVOGA shoes need to be waterproofed?
Many models benefit from being treated with a waterproofing agent suited to the type of material. Before using the product, check its intended use and test it on an inconspicuous area, particularly with light-coloured or delicate materials.
Why might the lining of shoes bleed colour?
In shoes without a lining, or with a dyed natural lining, colour transfer may occur, particularly when exposed to damp, perspiration or heavy wear. It is advisable to avoid getting them soaked and to choose your socks carefully when wearing shoes with dark interiors.
How should OLAVOGA shoes be stored out of season?
First clean and dry your shoes, then store them in a dry place. It’s a good idea to protect higher-top styles to prevent the upper from creasing, and to keep more delicate materials in a box or protective pouch.
Where can you buy genuine OLAVOGA shoes?
You’ll find genuine OLAVOGA shoes at Pasuri in the women’s and men’s footwear categories, as well as in OLAVOGA New Arrivals and the OLV Collections, where products are organised by season and drop.