Care Guide
Prolong the life of your Malaya sandals by giving them some tender loving care!
General Care
- Whenever you get your shoes wet, whether from usage or after cleaning, it is important to let them air dry at room temperature, and then store them in a dry, well-ventilated space. We recommend stuffing them with paper to absorb any moisture and prevent molds and mildew from forming.
- Do not use artificial heat (e.g. hair dryer, tumble dryer, etc.) or direct sunlight to hasten the drying process as they may damage the material.
- Do not use bleach or any harsh chemicals when cleaning or removing stains from your shoes.
- Your shoes should be clean and dry before applying any shoe polishes, creams, or stain removers.
- When cleaning sandals with different materials (eg. Siargao sandals with combination of suede, smooth leather, and abaca), avoid getting cleaning solutions meant for one material to another (eg. avoid putting suede cleaning foam onto abaca).
- We know you love the shoes, but please give them a few days off and air them out.
For Suede
- Use a stiff shoe brush clean towel to gently brush the suede. This brushes up the napped texture to expose any dirt hidden underneath the fibers.
- For small, surface-level stains, rub them off using a suede eraser.
- For bigger stains that are ingrained deep in the fibers, spray on a suede cleaning solution and gently rub the stained area. Let your suede air dry completely, and then use a brush to fluff up the material again.
- Spray on a waterproofing solution to protect your shoes from future dirt and damage. Check the packaging for recommended frequency of use or any additional instructions!
- After cleaning, allow your shoes to air dry completely before storing in a dry, well-ventilated space.
Additional tips for Suede
- Invest in a suede cleaning kit – this may be purchased from online shops such as Lazada or Shopee. They normally include a suede brush, eraser, cleaning spray/foam, and waterproofing spray. These alternatives may also be used:
- Shoe brush -> clean toothbrush
- Suede eraser -> clean pencil eraser
- Avoid getting suede leather wet as this will damage the material and flatten its texture. Be extra careful to stay away from salt water as this may fade the material’s color. Stay away from any liquids containing oil as oil is almost impossible to remove from suede material.
- Clean your shoes on a weekly or monthly basis, depending on the frequency of use. If you have a waterproofing spray, check its package instructions on how often it should be used.
For Smooth Leather
- Gently rub away any grime using a shoe brush or a dry cloth.
- If there is stubborn dirt, wipe it off using a damp cloth with gentle soap.
- To keep your genuine leather looking good as new, use a leather cream conditioner weekly. This will moisturize the leather, and help revive its color.
- Using a dry cloth, apply some of the product onto the leather. You may also use a cotton bud to apply it onto smaller areas that are difficult to reach.
- Allow the cream to absorb into the leather for at least 5 minutes, and then buff it out using your shoe brush.
- Use a clean, dry cloth, preferably microfiber cloth, to wipe away any excess cream.
- After cleaning, allow your shoes to air dry completely before storing in a dry, well-ventilated space.
For Abaca
- Pour 2 cups of water and 1 tablespoon of mild dish soap or detergent into a bowl. Stir until detergent or soap is completely dissolved.
- Use a toothbrush to gently scrub the solution into the Abaca.Continue until dirt is removed.
- Wipe the Abaca platform or soles with a damp cloth to remove the cleaning solution and dirt.
- After cleaning, allow your shoes to air dry completely before storing in a dry, well-ventilated space.