Each skin is worked differently by our craftsmen, which is why your piece is unique and requires a special routine. Our care advice will allow you to keep your piece in good condition for as long as possible in order to accompany you for many years.
From the first use, this unique piece will adapt to you, and will spend its first moments by your side, you will thus see its first signs of life appear.
It is important to identify the type of leather in order to choose the routine best suited to your Carel piece.
Each piece is previously treated in our workshops in order to be ready to be worn. Once you have acquired your part, we recommend allowing it for 3 to 4 uses before starting a maintenance routine.
Care steps
Preparing
First of all, your item must be dusted and removed of all impurities that may have arisen after the first few days. During each step we advise you to use a cotton fabric, preferably white, to avoid any color transfer. This step is important because you will free the pores and wrinkles of your leather of impurities in order to accommodate the next steps.
Cleaning
Ready to be cleaned, we recommend using a colourless cleansing milk. Apply the milk in a circular manner using a clean cotton cloth over your entire item.
Waxing
Waxing is optional, it improves the appearance of your item but does not extend its life. It can be done without going through the cleaning step. However, after 3 or 4 polishes, we recommend a thorough cleaning to avoid suffocating the leather. A darker shade of wax will bring out the original colour, or a neutral shade can be used. Apply the shoe polish using a cloth and a circular motion. A minimum rest period of 15 minutes is required before proceeding to the next stage.
Waterproofing
The last step is to waterproof the leather so that it is protected in rainy weather. We recommend using a colourless spray to avoid damaging the colour of your leather. About 7,8 inches from your item, apply the waterproofer evenly over the entire leather.
Our advices
Maintenance is to be carried out every 6 months.
We advise you to put tissue paper inside to absorb any moisture and maintain the initial shape of your piece.
Avoid exposure to sources of heat and strong light, which could seriously damage the leather and reduce its appearance and lifespan.
You can regularly polish your leather using a soft cloth or a soft-bristle brush.
In case of rain, leave to dry you item in an open air and then re-waterproof it.
Care steps
Preparing
First of all, your item must be dusted and removed of all impurities that may have arisen after the first few days. During each step we advise you to use a cotton cloth, preferably white, to avoid any color transfer. This is important because you will free the pores and wrinkles of your leather of impurities in order to accommodate the next steps.
Cleaning
The varnish needs to be nourished regularly, so you can use a varnish nourishing spray, or simply use a neutral, colourless oil (coconut oil, for example) sparingly. Both techniques must be applied in a circular motion using a clean cloth and left for a few minutes. This step helps revive the shine of your patent leather.
Our advices
Patent leather is an easy-care material and does not require polishing or waterproofing. This could even alter the lifespan and resistance of your part.
Avoid exposure to sources of heat and strong light, which could seriously damage the patent leather and reduce its appearance and lifespan.
Patent is a material that resists rain, however it is important to let the leather dry in the open air before storing it. We advise you to use absorbent paper or newspaper to absorb moisture and maintain the shape of your item.
You can regularly polish your leather using a soft cloth, on average every 6 months.
We advise you to put each foot in a separate bag so as not to juxtapose the material, due to the risk of color transfer.
Care steps
Brushing
Unlike other types of leather, velours should be brushed after each use to preserve its original brilliant color. Before the first use, you can apply a colorless spray to the shoe to fix the color.
Cleaning
To clean your item, we advise you to use a light or special nubuck brush to remove impurities and dust that could seep into the hairs of your leather.
Reviving
To revive the color we recommend using a colorless or darker color renewing spray. This should be applied after the dusting step, approximately 20 cm apart across the entire room. Let it dry for about 15 minutes before brushing again for complete color consistency.
Waterproofing
The last step is to waterproof the leather so that it is protected in rainy weather. We advise you to use a colorless spray so as not to damage the color of your leather. About 7,8 inches from your item, apply the waterproofing evenly over the entire surface.
Our advices
Avoid exposure to sources of heat and strong light, which could seriously damage the leather and reduce its appearance and lifespan.
In rainy weather we advise you to dry your item in a dry place away from light.
You can proceed to the waterproofing step every 5 uses.
We advise you to put each foot in a separate bag so as not to juxtapose the material, due to the risk of color transfer.
For added durability, using tissue paper will help maintain the initial shape of your item.
Mirror leather
Care steps
Cleaning
First of all, your item must be dusted and removed of all impurities that may have arisen after the first few days. During each step we advise you to use a cotton fabric, preferably white, to avoid any color transfer. This cleaning step is important because it will free the pores and wrinkles of your leather of its impurities in order to accommodate the next steps. Complete cleaning of your room can be done with a cloth.
Reviving
In order to revive the mirror appearance of your item, you can use a soft cloth to make circular movements over your entire piece until you obtain the desired result.
Our advices
Mirror leather is a fragile but easy-to-maintain material. This material does not require waxing or waterproofing, which could even damage the lifespan and resistance of your leather.
Avoid exposure to sources of heat and strong light, which could seriously damage the leather and thus reduce its appearance and lifespan.
We advise you to put each foot in a separate bag so as not to juxtapose the material, due to the risk of color transfer.
Mirror leather does not like rainy weather and humidity because of the risk of altering the appearance of the mirror.
Laminated leather
Care steps
Cleaning
First of all, your item must be dusted and removed of all impurities that may have arisen after the first few days. During each step we advise you to use a cotton fabric, preferably white, to avoid any color transfer. This is important because you will free the pores and wrinkles of your leather piece of impurities in order to accommodate the next steps.
Reviving
To revive the color and hide small imperfections from use, a polish of the same color is possible, only on the damaged surface.
Our advices
Laminated leather is a fragile material and requires little maintenance. Avoid exposure to sources of heat and strong light. This material does not require waterproofing, which could even damage its color and durability. We advise you to put each foot in a separate bag so as not to juxtapose the material, due to the risk of color transfer and possible impacts.
Laminated leather does not like rainy weather and humidity because it risks altering the appearance of the laminate.
The Appleskin
Care steps
Preparing
First of all, your item must be dusted and removed of all impurities that may have arisen after the first few days. During each step we advise you to use a cotton cloth, preferably white, to avoid any color transfer.
Cleaning
In order to clean the entire item, we advise you to lightly moisten your fabric to obtain better results, using a circular motion, clean the entire surface in a delicate manner.
Our advices
Appleskin is an easy material and requires little maintenance. The waxing or waterproofing process should be avoided and could even damage the appearance and lifespan of your item.
We advise you to let them dry for a few moments before storing them. Avoid exposure to sources of heat and strong light, which could seriously damage the Appleskin and thus reduce its appearance and lifespan.
We advise you to put each foot in a separate bag so as not to juxtapose the material, due to the risk of color transfer.
For added durability, using tissue paper will help maintain the initial shape of your item.
Our advices
Sole
After 2 or 3 uses, we recommend that you put a skate on your soles. This step is essential so that your pair adapts to your gait and the sole softens.
A professional, preferably a shoemaker, should carry out the installation.
Bon-bout
To give your heel extra durability, you can have a toe cap fitted by a shoemaker as soon as the first signs of wear appear.
If you have any other questions or requests concerning the maintenance of your product, please email us at bonjour@carel.fr. Our team will be delighted to advise you.
