Shoe & Heel Care

The best way to ensure that your shoes fit properly is to wear them around the house several times before you go outside. Feet change over the course of a day, so please try them out a few times. With the combination of our very soft, luxury leathers and the technology of memory foam, your TANYA HEATH shoes ought to become more comfortable as the leather warms to your foot, and more comfortable with every wear.  

Water can damage even the finest leather or nubuck. Product application waterproofers on leather and vegan shoes protect the materials that give both the shape of your shoe and the outer protection of the pair. Vegan shoes don't have natural protection, while leather does, but it's not waterproof.

If you're worried about the spray, test it on one part first leather that is not visible from the outside. Wait an hour for the time to dry, and if you are satisfied with the result, apply the product to the entire shoe.

Lambskin is very refined, and supple and makes you feel really comfortable in your shoes. However, it is a fragile leather and it can be damaged if it is not maintained.

The best product to apply on this material is clear shoe polish for avoiding stains. Before applying the product, make sure you have dusted the pair with a dry cloth. To avoid leaving traces on the pair, gently rub the leather in a circular motion. Avoid any type of product that could damage the finish.

If the pair of shoes fades with wear, you can treat them with a leather cream of the same color as your shoes.

Maintain your nubuck, suede, and vegan shoes.

Cleaning and care for suede and nubuck shoes is virtually identical.

Start by brushing off any dirt from the shoes, then, with a suede brush, gently sand any worn shiny areas on the surface of the shoe. This will help restore the grain of the suede. If you have stubborn stains, you can sand harder but this risks damaging part of the grain of the leather. You should always make sure to brush in the direction of the grain and you can finish with a soft shoe brush.

Note: Not everything can be repaired or varnished properly.

Removing blood, oil, beer, and paint stains from suede and nubuck shoes is extremely difficult. If a stain is soaked into the leather, chances are you can't save your shoes. So be sure to protect your favorite pair by using, every three months (especially during rainy weather), a suede and nubuck protective spray.

Make sure your shoes are properly cleaned with a shoe brush or a dry cloth before applying any shoe care product. All leathers dry out over time, so it's good to take care of them from time to time.

We generally recommend a nourishing cream in the same color as your shoes, as they have a high content of pigment and penetrates the leather well.

The cream will cover nicks and scuffs, and will make your old shoes look like new again. Apply very little with an applicator brush or soft cloth and be sure to spread the product evenly all over the shoe. Allow the shoe to sit for at least 20 minutes before buffing with a soft brush or soft cloth.

If however you want your shoes to be stiffer, we recommend using colored or colorless wax. If a product is applied in excess or on very dry leather, you can permanently change the original color. Moderation is key!

As important as cleaning your shoes, is storing your shoes because the durability of your pairs depends in part on how you store them. Weather and dust can ruin their natural beauty.

In general, shoes should NOT be stored in polythene bags or exposed to direct sunlight. It is rather advisable to keep them in a cool, dry place, never in a hot and humid place.

Treat our heels as collectibles. I line up my heels on a shelf so they do not touch or scratch each other.

Each heel is wrapped in a luxury Italian leather remnant or painted to brilliant color. Like all heels, if you walk across uneven surfaces like grates and pebbles, you do run the risk of scratching the paint or leather wraps. The good news is that with interchangeable heels, you won't ruin the shoe if you've scratched your heel.

Usually, a touch of Gorilla glue is sufficient to repair a leather wrap. Although not perfect, I've used paint pens to fill in scratches on my solid-color heels. 

If you have a scratched heel or if you just want a change, we have videos on our YouTube channel that show you how to renew your heels with a leather wrap or glitter.

Please expect that shoes need the attention of a cobbler over time to replace sole, clean and shine, stretching, and general repairs. For example, if you get caught in the rain and your leather shoes get soaked, you should first let them dry out on their own, and then take them to a cobbler for cleaning. If you don't have a local cobbler, please phone my repair shop, Rago Brothers Shoe Repair in Morristown, NJ. Rago receives repairs of handbags and shoes from all over the country, and they do an amazing job with luxury products. They are the best.