Full-grain leather doesn't need much from you. It needs the right small things, done now and then: keep it clean, keep it fed, let it dry on its own time. Do that, and a pair that's hand-lasted and hand-stitched in our Anatolian atelier will age the way good leather should — softer, deeper in color, and shaped to your foot.
This guide covers the two kinds of leather we work with. Find yours below. If you're not sure which you have, the rule is simple: if it's smooth or lightly pebbled with a slight sheen, it's smooth leather. If it's soft and velvety to the touch, it's suede or nubuck — and it needs a different routine.
Smooth & Pebbled Leather
Most of our loafers, oxfords, sneakers, and sandals are made from smooth or pebbled full-grain leather. It's forgiving. A few minutes every couple of weeks is enough.
The short version
Clean it when it's dirty. Condition it when it looks dry. Keep it away from heat. That's really it.
Everyday care (every 2–3 weeks, or whenever they look tired)
1. Wipe and shine. Run Atlantis Instant Shine over the shoe with light pressure. The sponge is pre-treated with a silicone-oil formula, so it lifts dust and brings the finish back in one pass — no buffing, no polish on your hands. It works on every leather color.
2. Condition. Apply a thin, even layer of Atlantis Power Gel with its built-in sponge. The clear formula cleans and conditions at the same time, keeping the leather supple so it flexes with your foot instead of creasing against it.
3. Protect. Finish with a light coat of Atlantis Ultra Wax. This natural-colored conditioning wax nourishes the leather and adds a layer of protection against the day. A little goes a long way — apply sparingly to avoid buildup.
Deep clean (after mud, rain stains, or a long season)
When a wipe isn't enough, start with Atlantis Easy Clean. Press the applicator until the foam appears, work it evenly over the surface, then wipe with a damp cloth. Never use the sponge dry. Once the shoes are clean and fully dry, follow with Power Gel and Ultra Wax as above.
Wet shoes
Leather and rain can coexist — the trick is in the drying. If your shoes get soaked, stuff them loosely with paper, stand them upright, and let them dry at room temperature. Never put them near a radiator, heater, or in direct sun; fast heat pulls the oils out of leather and leaves it stiff and prone to cracking. Once they're dry, condition them. They'll be fine.
What to avoid
Household cleaners, alcohol wipes, and dish soap strip the natural oils from leather. Heat of any kind does the same. And if you're going to be on your feet in heavy rain or snow for hours, that's a day for a different pair.
Suede & Nubuck
Suede and nubuck are the same full-grain leather, finished on the soft side — suede from the inner layer, nubuck from the outer layer sanded to a fine nap. That velvet surface is what makes them beautiful, and it's also why they need a gentler hand. Rules that are good for smooth leather can stain them.
The short version
Brush, don't wash. Keep them dry. Skip every cream, wax, gel, and foam you'd use on smooth leather.
Everyday care
Use Atlantis Gentle Care, our cleaning sponge made specifically for suede and nubuck. Rub it gently across the surface, working in one direction, from the laces toward the toe. Its textured structure lifts dust and dirt with a static effect and brings the nap back up — without water, without chemicals, without any risk to the finish. Brushing in a single direction is what keeps the color even.
What to avoid
Water and liquid cleaners can permanently mark suede and nubuck. So can any conditioner or polish meant for smooth leather — including our own Instant Shine, Power Gel, Ultra Wax, and Easy Clean. Those are for smooth leather only; keep them away from your suede.
Wet suede
If your suede shoes get caught in the rain, don't rub them. Blot off excess water with a clean cloth, then let them dry slowly at room temperature, away from heat. Once they're completely dry, go over them with the Gentle Care sponge to lift the nap again.
Two Ways to Stock Up
If you'd rather not pick products one by one, we've put them together for you.
Atlantis Shoe Care Kit — the complete routine for smooth leather: Easy Clean, Instant Shine, Power Gel, and Ultra Wax in one set. Everything on this page, in one box.
Atlantis Travel Kit — Instant Shine and Ultra Wax, sized to slip into a bag. Enough to keep your shoes looking right on the road.
Browse the full range in our Care Products collection.
A Few Small Habits That Make a Big Difference
Give them a day off. Leather absorbs moisture from your feet through the day. Letting a pair rest for 24 hours between wears lets it dry from the inside and keeps its shape.
Store them in the open. A cool, dry shelf beats a sealed box or a plastic bag — leather needs air.
Creases are not damage. A barefoot shoe is built to bend with your foot, and the leather will crease where your foot flexes. That's the shoe doing its job. Regular conditioning keeps those creases soft rather than sharp.
Color will deepen. Natural, vegetable-tanned leather develops a patina with wear and sun. Every pair ends up a little different from when it left the atelier — and a little more yours.
Questions about your specific pair? Write to us. We made it, so we know it.
