Nubuck is a beautiful, soft and elegant material, but it requires more careful maintenance than regular smooth leather. If cleaned incorrectly, the surface can become flattened, stains may appear, or the material may lose its natural texture.
The good news is that nubuck footwear can be maintained easily at home, provided you use the right products and avoid aggressive scrubbing.
1. Start with Dry Cleaning
Before using any cleaning product, first remove dust, sand and dried mud.
For this step, Coccinè Nubuck Sponge is an excellent choice. This coarse cleaning sponge is designed for dry cleaning suede and nubuck. It helps remove larger particles of dirt without damaging the surface.
This step is important because applying a cleaning product directly onto dust or mud may push the dirt deeper into the material.
2. Use a Gentle Cleaning Foam
After dry cleaning, you can move on to deeper cleaning.
Coccinè Nubuck Cleaner Super is a cleaning foam suitable for nubuck, suede, leather and textiles. Its special formula removes dirt gently without flattening the nap and without leaving streaks or stains.
The foam spreads evenly and cleans deep into the material while preserving its natural appearance and texture.
3. How to Apply the Foam Properly
- Shake the product if indicated on the packaging.
- Apply a small amount of foam to a sponge or soft cloth.
- Clean using gentle motions without excessive rubbing.
- Treat the entire area rather than a single spot.
- Allow the shoes to dry naturally.
Do not dry nubuck on a radiator, with a hair dryer or under direct strong sunlight.
4. Restore the Texture After Drying
Once the shoes are completely dry, gently go over the surface again with a nubuck brush or sponge.
This helps refresh the texture and restore the material's natural appearance.
5. Protect Your Shoes After Cleaning
After cleaning, it is recommended to treat your footwear with a protective spray for suede and nubuck. This helps protect the material from dust, moisture and stains.
The cleaning foam is also ideal as a preparation step before applying waterproofing and protective sprays.
What to Avoid When Cleaning Nubuck
- Do not use a soaking wet cloth.
- Do not scrub aggressively.
- Do not use regular soap.
- Do not dry footwear with direct heat.
- Do not apply cleaning products onto dusty or muddy surfaces.
Final Thoughts
Cleaning nubuck is not difficult, but it does require the right approach. The best method is to first remove loose dirt with Coccinè Nubuck Sponge and then use a gentle foam such as Coccinè Nubuck Cleaner Super for deeper cleaning.
This way you can keep your shoes clean, fresh and attractive while preserving the delicate texture of the material.
