Danmark / Dansk
International / EnglishCARE INSTRUCTIONS & SHOE ADVICES
How to take the best care of both your new and old shoes.
Billi Bi shoes and boots are handcrafted from the finest materials with uncompromising quality. With the right care and timely maintenance, they can last for many years.
WHICH PROTECTIVE TREATMENT IS SUITABLE FOR YOUR NEW SHOES?
Before you start wearing your new shoes, we recommend that you give them impregnation three times with a few minutes in between each application.
Spraying them with impregnation will help the leather repell moisture, dirt, and water damage, such as stains and salt marks, and helps to preserve the color and finish of the leather.
Once your shoes are well-protected, you can start wearing them. Remember, impregnating them is an important part of regular maintenance, and it’s not enough to spray them just once before use.
Here’s what to use to waterproof your shoes:
Smooth leather: Protector spray.
High-gloss leather: Leather Care spray.
Polido leather: Leather Wax. This spray is only used for polido.
Embossed leather: Leather Care spray.
Patent leather: This type of leather does not need to be treated before use, but ongoing maintenance is essential.
Lacquer: This type of leather does not need to be treated before use, but ongoing maintenance is essential.
Suede: Suede & Nubuck Care.
Not sure what type of leather your shoes are made from? You can find this information in the product description, or feel free to contact our customer service for assistance.
WATER AND WEATHER
Please note that shoes made of leather are not waterproof and therefore not suitable for wet weather or heavy rain, snow, and slush. Waterproofing does NOT make the shoes waterproof, only water-repellent.
Winter boots:
Our lined boots are also made from genuine leather and are water-repellent to a certain extent. They can handle a light shower, but they are not waterproof.
For this reason, we advise against using them on very wet days. We recommend thoroughly waterproofing them before use and regularly afterwards, and, most importantly, using them with care.
Our lined boots are perfect for cold days when the weather isn’t too wet, so you don’t have to compromise on design and style.
What to do if your boots get soaked:
We all know how unpredictable the weather can be. If your shoes or boots become soaked from snow or rain, we recommend placing them in a neutral location where they can dry slowly and naturally. Do not place your leather boots under or on top of a radiator or other heat sources, as this can dry out the leather, making it brittle and stiff.
If you can avoid wearing the boots the day after they get soaked, that would be best. This allows the leather to settle properly, helping it retain its shape and regain strength. Soaking can dry out the leather and wash away the waterproofing! Therefore, we recommend caring for and re-waterproofing your leather boots after they have dried.
Remember, the better your shoes and boots are cared for, waterproofed, and maintained, the more resistant they will be to unexpected showers.
ONGOING MAINTENANCE
Once you’ve started using your shoes, we recommend cleaning and caring for them about once a month:
1. Cleaning
Depending on the material of your shoes, clean them as follows:
Smooth leather/High-gloss leather/Embossed leather/Patent leather/Lacquered leather/Polido: Most types of leather should be cleaned with a leather cleaner, which is a foam applied with a sponge. Let them dry for about ten minutes before proceeding to the next step.
Suede: Use a suede brush to clean the suede by brushing away dirt and dust before moving on.
Avoid using water to clean your shoes, as it is not good for the leather. Leather cleaner effectively cleans without drying out or damaging the leather. You can purchase leather cleaner in our Concept stores or from a cobbler.
2. Care and Waterproofing
All leather shoes should be cared for and waterproofed regularly to maintain their functionality and appearance.
Smooth leather: After cleaning, treat the leather with leather balm, a clear moisturizing cream for leather. When needed, use black shoe polish to refresh the color of black smooth leather shoes and boots. After cleaning and care, we recommend finishing with a fresh layer of waterproofing for smooth leather.
High-gloss leather/Embossed leather: For embossed leather, use Leather Care Spray, which works both as waterproofing and care, helping to maintain the leather’s glossy surface. Spray a thin, even layer and leave it on for 15-30 minutes before polishing with a cloth. This can be done more frequently if the shoes are used often.
Patent leather/Lacquered leather: After cleaning, patent leather shoes can be polished with a nylon stocking to restore their shine. This can be done often and usually doesn’t require cleaning beforehand. Only clean patent leather shoes if they are particularly dirty or greasy.
Polido: This type of leather needs to be cared for with beeswax waterproofing. Polido does not tolerate regular sprays or creams, as these can damage the surface. We recommend using our Leather Wax spray regularly to maintain the leather’s shine and prevent drying. Polish afterward with a cloth.
Suede: After cleaning, apply 1-2 layers of our Suede & Nubuck Care spray. This spray works both as waterproofing and care. The more often you apply this spray, the better, as it contains moisturizing ingredients that keep the leather from drying out and help retain its fresh color for longer.
Regular maintenance for all leather shoes
Every leather shoe requires ongoing maintenance. We recommend regularly checking your shoes and performing these two steps as needed, ideally several times a year. If you use your shoes frequently, maintaining them on a monthly basis is a good idea. You will quickly notice the difference, as your shoes will remain in much better condition.
Extend the life of your shoes by taking them to a cobbler
Footwear is the type of clothing that endures the most wear and tear, so maintaining both the construction and the leather is essential. Regularly check the condition of your shoes and be realistic about their state—make sure to take them to a cobbler in time. Do they need new soles or heel caps? Does the glue along the edges of the leather need reinforcing or refreshing? If they need professional care, don’t hesitate to take them to a cobbler for a little expert love.
HEELS AND SOLES
All types of shoes, stilettos, and boots need new heel tips and soles replaced at the right time by a cobbler.
Heel Tip: A heel tip is the bottom piece that forms the sole under the heel of a shoe or boot. These must be replaced without exception as soon as they begin to wear down. This is done at a cobbler. There is no set timeline for when this will happen, so it’s important to check the heel tips regularly.
It’s crucial to replace the heel tips before they are completely worn down, as further use could damage the actual heel. Always make sure to replace the heel tips in time.
Sole: The soles of shoes and boots wear down with use, so they should be resoled as needed by a cobbler. There is no set timeline for when this will happen, so check the soles regularly.
Soles, like heel tips, are an essential part of the shoe’s structure, so timely resoling is important to maintain your shoes and boots.
Pointed Toe: If the shoe has a pointed toe, we recommend keeping an eye on the sole under the toe and resoling in time to avoid unnecessary wear from below.
Crepe Rubber Soles: Crepe rubber is a natural material that can react to both heat and cold. Therefore, you should not leave shoes with crepe rubber soles in direct sunlight on a hot summer day, as extreme heat can cause the sole to melt and deform. If the crepe rubber soles become hard and stiff, they should be softened with a little warmth. Place them indoors near a heat source for no more than 10 minutes, and they will soften again.
Crepe rubber soles can become sticky over time, especially after contact with oil, gasoline, acids, or solvents. In this case, a quick sanding by a cobbler can easily restore them.
By paying attention to the heels and soles of your shoes and getting them resoled when needed, you ensure that the shoe’s construction is maintained and strengthened, ultimately extending the lifespan of your shoes.
TAKE CARE WHEN PUTTING ON AND TAKING OFF YOUR FOOTWEAR
Zippers: When putting on or taking off shoes, it is important to always fully open and close zippers, as failing to do so can put unnecessary strain on the zipper, potentially causing damage. Such damage is not covered by warranty.
Buckles and Laces: It is also recommended to always unfasten buckles and loosen laces when putting on or taking off shoes.
Leather Straps: Always handle your shoes with care when putting them on or taking them off. When wearing boots, it’s advised to grip the boot shaft rather than any decorative straps, as pulling on these could cause damage. Avoid tugging on decorative straps when putting on your boots.
Shoe Horn: We always recommend using a shoe horn when putting on or removing shoes. Avoid using your other foot to push off the footwear, as this can damage the heel and toe caps. Crushed heel caps and loose heels are common issues caused by improper removal of shoes. Such damage is not covered by warranty.
SURPLUS COLOR
There may be surplus color in all leather materials and shoes, both inside and outside. There is no guarantee that discoloration will not occur. Discoloration can be avoided by impregnating and will in most cases disappear over time. We recommend that shoes and sandals with black soles, be impregnated thoroughly inside be-fore use to prevent discoloration to a greater extent.