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Cleaning and care
Your Sambas are made of natural fibres: cork, linen, hemp, cotton and olive-based vegan leather. They are cleaned by hand, with very little soap and no rush. Here is how.
First things first, because it is what you ask us most
Can I put them in the washing machine?
No.
A washing machine ruins natural fibres, warps the shape and loosens the glue. No washing machine, no tumble dryer, no radiator.
The laces are the exception: take them out and machine wash them if they need it. The shoe itself, by hand.
Before you start
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Take the insoles out
If they are in, remove them: they are cleaned separately and it lets you reach inside properly.
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Take the laces out
It is far easier to work that way, and you can wash them while you are at it.
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Air them after a long day
Pull the insoles out and let everything breathe. That is how natural fibres release the excess moisture, and they last a great deal longer.
The routine
How to clean them, step by step
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01
Brush them dry
Before you wet anything, brush off the dirt and dust while it is dry. Very often that is all they need.
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02
If a mark is left, dampen and soap it
A soft brush for fabrics, a cloth for the plant-based leathers. Dampen it, add a little neutral soap and go over that area only.
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03
Take the soap off
With the same cloth or brush, rinsed out, remove any residue. On plant-based leathers, dry afterwards with a cloth.
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04
Dry them in the shade
Never in direct sun and never on a heat source. In the shade, and give them time.
The same routine works for the insoles, with one precaution: the brush barely damp, so you do not soak the natural fibres underneath. You can go over the lining and the inner sole with the brush too.
Every now and then
How to look after them so they last
For the fabrics
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Waterproofing
With the material completely dry, apply a waterproofing product suitable for fabrics from time to time. It protects them from stains and keeps them in good shape for longer.
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How to apply it
Spray from about 20 cm away, then spread the product evenly with a brush or a cloth.
For the plant-based leathers
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Feed them
They need a little nourishment every so often. Natural waxes work very well. There are also products made for nourishing or moisturising: choose ones suitable for textiles and, ideally, with a natural wax base. Apply with a cloth over the whole surface.
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About water
These materials are naturally water resistant, like any conventional leather, but they are not water repellent and not waterproof. They will take a drizzle, not a downpour. If you want extra protection, that is what the waterproofing is for.
In case you were wondering
What they are made of
All of this makes sense once you know what is inside: cork, linen, hemp, organic cotton and olive-based vegan leather. Nothing of animal origin.