Avarcas - Care Instructions
Our Avarca sandals espadrilles and wedges are made using tanned natural leather.
The variations in colour, tone and texture, including the appearance of marks, scars, veins and grain differences in the material are not defects but a visual proof that we use authentic leather.
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Avarcas containing jute might experience some fibre loosing due to its natural handmade braiding, this is expected and it is not a product defect.
Vecchio
Vecchio Avarcas are assembled using aged tanned bovine leather treated with a lubricating coat.
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To prevent and restore any damage, colourless shoe polish should be applied according to the manufacturer’s instructions. For stain removal, a small amount of pH neutral or slightly acidic soap (like Dove or Ivory bars) diluted in water can be applied and then removed with a damp cloth. pH neutral wet wipes or pH neutral leather cleaner (like Autoglym Leather Cleaner) can be used in similar fashion.
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For overall care and dirt removal, apply a gentle rub with a pH neutral wet wipe or a melamine sponge eraser without using too much pressure.
Tip: if the mark/stain is fully removed using a melamine sponge eraser but a grease smear remains, use a colourless shoe polish to buff it away.
Periodically applying a small amount of leather protection cream or leather conditioner will help keep your Vecchio Avarcas more flexible and with a brighter colour for longer.
Natur
Natur Avarcas are made using tanned bovine leather finished with a plastic protective coat, which increases their durability.
To prevent and restore any damage, colourless shoe polish should be applied according to the manufacturer’s instructions. For stain removal, a small amount of pH neutral or slightly acidic soap (like Dove or Ivory bars) diluted in water can be applied and then removed with a damp cloth. pH neutral wet wipes or pH neutral leather cleaner (like Autoglym Leather Cleaner) can be used in similar fashion.
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For overall care and dirt removal, apply a gentle rub with a pH neutral wet wipe or a melamine sponge eraser without using too much pressure.
Tip: if the mark/stain is fully removed using a melamine sponge eraser but a grease smear remains, use a colourless shoe polish to buff it away.
Periodically applying a small amount of leather protection cream or leather conditioner will help keep your Vecchio Avarcas more flexible and with a brighter colour for longer.
Nubuck
Nubuck is like traditional leather, however, nubuck is created when the hide is sanded and left with a napped finish. Because of its fuzzy surface, this is a delicate Avarca.
Daily dirt can be removed by gently brushing the surface of your Avarcas in circular motions with a nubuck cloth. If possible, you should start protect your Avarcas right from the start by applying a fine layer of waterproof and stain-resistant spray (like Nikwax Nubuck and Suede proof).
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For more intensive cleaning and refreshment, you might want to use a special nubuck brush. Bear in mind however that too much brushing could end up wearing away the surface of the leather.
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Contact with water should be avoided whenever possible: nubuck leather is highly absorbent.
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If for some reason a stain is unavoidable, as it tends to happen every now and then, begin by gently rubbing the surface with a nubuck cloth to remove the stain excess. For oily stains, you will need to spray your Avarcas with a special leather degreaser (like Colourlock Grease Absorber Spray). This product will turn to powder that can be rubbed away afterwards with a cloth and a regular leather cleaning solution.
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For other tougher stains, you might have to sand down the affected area with a colourless suede cleaning block or a fine grain sandpaper.
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DO NOT soak your Avarcas in water under any circumstance as this can cause damage to the structure of the leather itself.
Long Beach
Long Beach Avarcas are manufactured using bovine leather in a process that gives them a similar finish to the Nubuck ones.
The care and cleaning recommendations are the same as for Nubuck Avarcas.
Serraje Soft
To make the Serraje Soft Avarcas, bovine leather is split, removing the grain to use the soft inner surface with its longer fibers and smooth, velvety feel.
This material is highly susceptible to stains and scratches because its surface is covered with fibres that become stiff and brittle when they dry after being wet. If possible, you should protect your Avarcas from the start by applying a fine layer of waterproof and stain-resistant spray (like Nikwax Nubuck and Suede proof).
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To treat wet Serraje Avarcas, aim to dry out the surface whilst brushing it to maintain its smooth feel. The sooner you can treat your Avarcas the less likely for them to have permanent damage.
For water-based stains, place a sheet of highly absorbent material (like a paper towel, jay cloth or a colourless microfiber cloth) and gently press into the stain to extract as much water from the sandal as possible. Do not rub the leather; the goal is to start to dry it out without causing any damage. Afterwards, whilst the suede is still damp, gently brush the nap back and forth using a soft bristle brush.
After the nap has dried, brush it again.
If the stains are already set, you may wish to try the same process applying a diluted mix of white vinegar and water to the stains. DO NOT use chemical stain removers on this Avarcas!
For any other stains, the easiest way to treat is to use a suede eraser block (also called suede cleaning rubber or suede cleaning bar). Apply soft to medium pressure and rub the eraser along the grain of the sandal.
Afterwards you can use a suede brush, a soft polishing brush or a colourless clean bath towel to rub the sandal gently to bring back its normal texture.
Textile
Textile Avarcas are made using a combination of polyester, cotton linen, acrylic, polyurethane and raffia fibres.
To remove stains, use a colourless damp cloth and gently scrub the affected area. pH neutral wet wipes can be used in similar fashion.
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For overall care and dirt removal, apply a gentle rub with a pH neutral wet wipe or a melamine sponge eraser without adding too much pressure.
Vegan
Vegan Avarcas are made combining synthetic microfibers and polyurethane.
To remove stains, a small amount of pH neutral soap (like Dove or Ivory bars) diluted in water should be applied and then removed with a colourless damp microfiber cloth. pH neutral wet wipes can be used in similar fashion.
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For overall care and dirt removal, apply a gentle rub with a pH neutral wet wipe or a melamine sponge eraser without adding too much pressure.