Tips & Tricks

Tarrago Cleaner or Tarrago WASC Cleaner are the best cleaners available for sneakers. Use these with the Tedd's Sneaker Brush and a small bowl of water.
Spray the cleaner a few times into the water and onto the brush, dunk the brush into the water & apply it to the sneakers. Foam will be produced. Repeat this process until your sneakers are fresh again.

Tip: Sneaker cleaner also works on midsoles and soles

Pro-Tip: For clean laces, use the bowl of water to soak the laces in. After they've been soaking, rub them in your hands and leave them to dry.

Tedd doesn't recommend any sneakers get put in the washing machine; canvas, mesh or leather.
Placing them in the washing machine will wear the glue in the sneaker away and cause damage. The foam will also swell and deform the sneakers. High humidity can create an environment for fungi causing a foul odour.

Cleaning is the first step of the care process. Here a few quick tips from Tedd when it comes to cleaning your shoes:

• Always remove your shoelaces before cleaning as when you come to the polish stage of the process, it prevents polish from getting on the laces
• Use products sparingly - a little always goes a long way
• Use swift circular motions, with moderate pressure. If you scrub too hard it can damage the material 

The long relied on iconic Kiwi Shoe Polish tin is no longer being produced. Read more here
European successor = Tarrago Premium Wax Polish

The main difference between a Shoe Cream and a Wax Polish is the pigment level and shine level. 

Shoe Cream has a high pigment level which makes it ideal for renovating and restoring colour to smooth leather. 

Wax Polish, on the other hand, doesn't have as much pigment but provides a much deeper shine.

Because the Shoe Cream is a renovating cream, it is available in a much wider colour range than the Wax Polish.

Self Shine Shoe Cream can be applied directly onto the shoe, providing a shine finish immediately, without buffing.

Shoe Cream, once applied, will have a dull/matte finish and needs to be buffed with a brush or polishing cloth to achieve a shine.

Yes, if you've left the lid off your Tarrago Shoe Cream for too long, you can recover its consistency. Add a couple of drops of 100% distilled water and stir until it's back to the original texture.

No, once properly dry & buffed, shoe creams will not transfer colour to your clothes.
It's best to apply the shoe cream, leave it to absorb for 30 mins, buff off any excess and then leave to cure for 24 hours before using.

You certainly can! In fact, as suede is such a delicate material, it is essential to use Water Protector Spray frequently on suede shoes. The same Water Protector Spray can be used on all types of materials - Leather, Suede, Nubuck, Textile and even Tex Membranes. 

It is recommended that you apply two coats of Water Protector Spray to newly purchased shoes, leaving the shoes to dry for approx. 30 mins to 1 hour between coats. Thereafter, it depends on how often the shoes are being worn. The general rule of thumb is every 3-6 wears, or at least once a month. Bear in mind that during the harsher, winter months when the shoes are more exposed to the elements, the reapplication may need to be more frequent.

Dasco Protector is the most common, all-purpose Water Protector. It is an aerosol spray for easy application that can be used on Leather, Suede, Nubuck, Textiles, Wool and Tex Membranes. 

Dasco Natural Protector is a water-based, eco friendly version of the Dasco Protector. It provides the same level of waterproofing.

Dasco Nano Protector is the elite of the protectors and, because of the nanotechnology, it guarantees a higher level of protection against the elements. This includes the suns UV rays - it has added UV protection that helps prevent fading.

Beeswax Polish is recommended for outdoor shoes & boots such as golf shoes, work boots & tramping boots. It can be used on all smooth leathers.

Dasco Dubbin is the traditional paste that renders smooth leather highly water-resistant. Generally used on work boots, tramping boots and other outdoor shoes exposed to the elements.

After you have used a Shoe Cream, Colour Dye, Suede Dye or Leather Dye to colour your shoes, it is essential to use a Water Protector Spray. This will help to protect the shoes and fix the colour, giving you the best results for longer.

Dubbin wax will leave an oily film on leather, so it should be used sparingly.
If too much is applied, it can negatively affect the quality of your footwear. It's best to apply very thin coatings, one at a time, so you can control how much dubbin is used. Remember, less is more!

Tip: Never use Dubbin on suede or nubuck shoes, as the oily nature of dubbin can permanently damage them.

Shoe trees help maintain the shape of a shoe, expanding their lifespan by preventing them from creasing, curling & cracking. They also ensure good air circulation within the shoe, keeping them fresh. There are two types of shoe trees - plastic and wooden.

All shoe trees will help to maintain the shape of your shoes.

Plastic Shoe Trees are the cheapest and are lightweight, making them an excellent choice for travelling. However, they only help maintain the shape of your shoes.

Cedar Shoe Trees have the added benefit of absorbing the moisture from wearing your shoes. Bacteria and fungi thrive in warm & damp environments, so the Cedar Shoe Trees prevent odour from developing by absorbing moisture. The natural aromatic scent will also freshen up your shoes. Cedar Shoe Trees are the best choice and highly recommended for use in formal and high-end footwear to ensure longevity.

Yes, two or more colours of a product can be mixed to create the perfect match for your specific item.
You can mix Tarrago Shoe Cream, Tarrago Colour Dye and Tarrago Sneaker Paint successfully; without altering the product or its results.

There are two ways you can determine what the best shoelace length for your shoes is:

1. Count the sets of eyelets and look on our Size Guide (count the number of eyelets up one side)

2. Pull out your existing laces & measure them from end to end

When your shoes are just a fraction too big, it is best to add a thin, half insole such as the Soft n Dry Fresh Half Insole or Pure Leather Half Insole. The full length insoles in these same styles can also be used, as can the Heelgrips

Do your favourite shoes need some tender love & care?

Visit our stockists page to find your nearest Shoe Repairer. 

Alternatively, contact Tedd and we can help to arrange for your footwear to be sent to your closest repair shop.

Many smooth leather and textile items (including footwear, belts, bags) can be given a new lease of life by being recoloured in the same shade, or, being given a complete change of colour. Tip: If you wish to change the colour, working with a darker colour than the original is easier than recolouring to a lighter shade - although it is possible.

Worried About Applying Dye Yourself?

If you are worried about applying dye or colouring yourself, message Tedd with the details. Tell us about the article and what your requirements are, and we will put you in touch with someone who may be able to help.