Care Guide

At Duckfeet, we celebrate the notion that well-made products improve with age, and we believe taking the time to care for things you love is good for the soul. If you care for your shoes regularly, you will enjoy them longer. Your shoes, wallet, and the planet will be grateful for it.

Taking pride in and caring for the things we own helps minimise waste by ensuring our belongings stay with us longer. We’ve seen customers who have had their Duckfeet going on 20 years. Duckfeet are durable, meaning your shoes wear in, instead of wearing out, though a little bit of love goes a long way in keeping them in good condition.

Leather care

We recommend that you apply a thin layer of Duckfeet leather care at regular intervals, about once a month. Don’t use too much at one time. It’s better to use a little less a bit more often. Let the cream sit a few minutes and polish afterwards with a soft cloth.

Use a shoehorn when you put your shoes on – they are easier to get on and the back will not be destroyed. Untie or unzip the shoes or boots completely when you remove them – so they are easier to pull off. It’s better for the shoes than trampling on them!

Sole care

Crepe rubber soles can become firm when stored at low temperatures. We recommend storing your shoes out of direct sunlight at a temperature between 20-25C. If the soles become hard, you can place the shoes on a warm radiator, until the crepe rubber is soft again. 

Avoid contact with solvents, the rubber cannot tolerate it and can dissolve. Also avoid storing them in direct sunlight or exposure to prolonged, excessive exposure to heat, such as in your car during a heatwave and this can also cause the soles to become soft and tacky. If this does happen, we recommend a resole to rectify an issue.

Water

Store your shoes in a dry and airy place. If your shoes become wet, fill them with crumpled newspaper and let them air-dry. When they are completely dried, you can again apply leather conditioner or shoe cream. Leather shoes should not be dried on a radiator – the leather becomes dried out and porous. 

If the leather gets water stains, take a cloth and make the whole shoe slightly damp. Treat the leather afterwards as described above. It is best to change your shoes daily. Give your Duckfeet a day’s rest, so they can release the foot’s moisture and dry thoroughly.

Dirt

If the shoes get dirty, clean them with a damp cloth. Let the shoes dry thoroughly and treat the leather again with shoe cream or leather conditioner. Be attentive to edges and seams, which should also be treated to maintain the leather and protect your shoes against water.