How to Clean and Care for Elevator Shoes | Tips to Make Synthetic Leather, Suede and Cowhide Last
Make Them Last | Care Guide
Care for Elevator Shoes
Tips for Every Material to Make Them Last
The right care differs from material to material. Here are the steps, organized by material, for keeping the built-in insole structure intact and wearing your shoes for a long time.
"Can I wash them like ordinary shoes?" "How do I get stains off white sneakers?" Here are the answers to common care questions, material by material.
In short, care boils down to 2 rules: "match the outside to the material, and keep water out of the inside." LEVANO elevator shoes get their height from an insole structure built into the shoe, and this part is not designed to be removed. Wash the whole shoe and water stays trapped inside, which leads to loss of shape and odor. The outer upper only needs the same care as any ordinary shoe: wipe synthetic leather, brush suede, and cream cowhide leather.
In this article we use the synthetic leather sneakers (no01 and no37), the suede and suede-look loafers (no07 and no03), the cowhide leather dress shoes (no20 and no29), and the microfiber leather sandals (no36) as examples to walk through daily care, cleaning, what to do after rain, and how to store them.
What You Will Learn
- 3 universal rules for every material (no full washing, dry in the shade, do not wear the same pair on consecutive days)
- A quick-reference care chart by material, plus the material, weight and price of 7 models
- How to clean synthetic leather sneakers (no01 and no37) in 5 steps
- Brushing and waterproofing suede and suede-look loafers (no07 and no03)
- Cream care for cowhide leather shoes (no20 and no29)
- Habits for rain, sweat and storage that extend the life of your shoes, and when to replace them
POINT 01
Elevator Shoe Care: 3 Universal Rules to Follow First
Rule 1: Never wash the whole shoe or soak it
Washing the whole shoe lets water soak into the non-removable insole structure inside. It takes days to dry, and bacteria cause odor and loss of shape. The basic approach to dirt is to wipe and brush the outside.
Rule 2: Dry in a well-ventilated, shaded spot
Do not dry your shoes in direct sunlight or with a hair dryer. Heat makes synthetic leather crack and peel, and makes cowhide leather stiffen and shrink. The safest method is to stuff them with crumpled newspaper and leave them overnight in a well-ventilated, shaded spot.
Rule 3: Do not wear the same pair on consecutive days
After a full day of wear, the inside of a shoe is damp with sweat. Wearing it again the next day gives it no time to dry, and the interior deteriorates and starts to smell. Rotate at least 2 pairs. If sweat is a concern, see "Sweat and Odour in Elevator Shoes: Fixes and How to Choose a Cooler Model" as well.
POINT 02
Quick-Reference Care Chart by Material: Synthetic Leather, Suede, Cowhide Leather and Microfiber Leather
LEVANO elevator shoes use 4 main types of upper material: synthetic leather, suede, natural leather such as cowhide, and microfiber leather. Check the "Material" field on each product page.
By Material: Daily Care, Cleaning Dirt, and What to Avoid
The 7 Models in This Article: Material, Height, Weight and Price
"—" means the item is not listed on the product page. All prices in this article include tax.
POINT 03
How to Clean Synthetic Leather Sneakers: 5 Steps Using no01 and no37 as Examples
Synthetic leather has a resin coating on the surface that keeps water and dirt from soaking in. Most LEVANO sneakers use this material, including the Elevator Sneakers no01 (5cm lift, ¥11,980) and the white-based Monotone Line Sneakers no37 (7cm lift, ¥12,980), and the basic care is simply to wipe them.
STEP 1: Remove the laces and brush off dust
The laces can be removed and hand-washed with mild detergent. For the shoe itself, use a dry brush to remove dust from the seams and the edge where the upper meets the sole first.
STEP 2: Wipe with diluted mild detergent
Add a few drops of mild dish detergent to water, soak a cloth, wring it out well, and wipe the upper in circular motions. Keep the cloth just damp, not wet, so no water gets inside the shoe.
STEP 3: Wipe with water so no detergent remains
Leftover detergent causes discoloration and stickiness, and on white sneakers it leads to yellowing. Wring out the cloth in clean water and wipe the residue away.
STEP 4: Wipe dry and air-dry in the shade
Remove moisture with a dry cloth and let the shoes dry in a well-ventilated, shaded spot. Scuff marks on the side of the sole can be removed with a melamine sponge, but never use one on the synthetic leather surface.
STEP 5: Draw moisture out of the inside with a desiccant
The inside cannot be washed with water, so on cleaning days and ordinary wear days alike, stuff the shoes with crumpled newspaper or a shoe desiccant and leave them overnight. Silica-gel desiccants can be reused after drying in the sun.
Preventing yellowing and scuffs on the white no37 sneakers
The main causes of yellowing are detergent residue and direct sunlight. After wiping with detergent, always wipe with water to remove it, and dry in the shade. Remove scuffs locally with an eraser-type cleaner, and use a melamine sponge only on the side of the sole. Applying a protective spray suitable for synthetic leather before the first wear keeps dirt on the surface, where it is easier to remove.
The microfiber leather no36 follows the same basics
Gurkha Sandals no36 (7cm lift, ¥12,980) are made of microfiber leather, and wiping with a well-wrung damp cloth is all the care they need. Wearing them barefoot leaves skin oils on the footbed, so wipe the surface your foot rests on with a dry cloth after taking them off, then air-dry in the shade.
You can compare synthetic leather sneakers in the Elevator Sneakers collection. If the material field reads "synthetic leather," you can care for them with these steps.
POINT 04
Suede Care: How to Keep Loafers no07 and no03 Smooth and Free of Fuzz
Suede is leather with the underside brushed into a nap; wiping it with water flattens the nap and leaves stains. The Suede Elevator Loafers no07 (5cm lift, ¥14,980) are listed as suede. The Suede Loafers no03 (6cm lift, 295g, ¥13,980), on the other hand, look like suede but are listed as synthetic leather. The basic rule for both is "no water, tidy with a brush," and the no03 can be lightly wiped with a well-wrung damp cloth when dirty.
After wearing: 30 seconds with a suede brush
Brush against the nap to lift dust, then brush with the nap to smooth it.
For spot stains, use a crepe rubber brush or suede eraser
Rubbing scuffs with a crepe (natural rubber) brush lifts dirt from between the fibers. For larger areas, use a suede cleaner on the surface only and do not let it soak into the interior. Shoe cream stiffens the nap, so do not use it.
Apply protective spray only after your size is confirmed
Applying a suede-safe protective spray before the first wear prevents rain and dirt from soaking in. However, size exchanges are only accepted for unworn shoes tried on indoors, so try them on indoors and confirm the size before using any spray (see the FAQ below for the conditions).
Caught in the rain? Dampen the whole shoe lightly and dry in the shade
Drying a shoe that is wet in patches leaves water rings. Press out moisture with a dry cloth, lightly mist the entire shoe with a spray bottle so it is evenly damp, stuff with newspaper and dry in the shade. Once dry, brush the nap back up.
POINT 05
Cowhide Leather Shoe Care: Conditioning no20 and no29 with Cream Once a Month
Cowhide leather is a material whose shine deepens the more you care for it. The Cowhide Leather Elevator Business Shoes no20 (8cm lift, 445g, ¥20,980) and the Japan-made Cowhide Leather Casual Shoes no29 (5cm lift, 390g, ¥29,680) are the representative models. Care rests on 3 essentials: brush, cleaner and cream.
Every wear: brush off dust with a horsehair brush
Dust collects especially along the welt (where the upper meets the sole) and around the laces. Sweeping it away with a horsehair brush and lightly wiping with a dry cloth is enough to keep dirt from setting in.
Once a month: remove old cream with a cleaner
Put a small amount of shoe cleaner on a cloth and wipe the whole shoe thinly. Layering new cream over old cream leads to cracking.
Once a month: apply a thin layer of emulsified cream (about 2 to 3 grains of rice)
Spread it thinly over the whole shoe and buff with a pig-bristle brush to work it in. Too much cream causes the shoe to lose its shape, so keep the amount small, and use black or neutral cream on black leather.
Finish: wipe dry and leave overnight before storing
Removing the excess cream with a dry cloth brings out a natural shine. Let the shoes air overnight before putting them away.
Do not force shoe trees in
Because elevator shoes get their height from the insole structure inside, the interior shape differs from ordinary leather shoes. Do not force in shoe trees with strong springs; if they do not fit easily, use crumpled newspaper instead.
The Japan-made no29 rewards you the more you wear it
With its cowhide upper produced in Japan, the no29 is on the lighter side among our cowhide models at 390g and pairs easily with job hunting and business wear. The differences in construction are explained in "Japan-Made Elevator Shoes as an Option: How the Cowhide no28 to no31 Are Made and What Sets Them Apart."
You can compare cowhide models in the Elevator Dress Shoes and Leather Shoes collection, and models made in Japan in the Japan-Made Elevator Shoes collection.
POINT 06
Rain, Sweat and Storage: Habits That Make Elevator Shoes Last, and When to Replace Them
Wear synthetic leather sneakers on rainy days
When rain is in the forecast, skip the suede and cowhide and choose the synthetic leather sneakers (no01 or no37) to cut down on care. If they get wet, wipe them dry the same day, stuff them with newspaper and air-dry in the shade.
Use a shoehorn and never crush the heel
Stepping on the heel crushes the heel counter, which makes the heel unstable and also spoils the natural look from the outside.
Do not store shoes sealed in a box
Humidity accelerates hydrolysis in synthetic leather (the surface becomes sticky and peels). Do not seal shoes in a box for long periods; keep them in a well-ventilated shoe cabinet with a desiccant.
Sole wear tells you how you walk, and when to replace your shoes
If only the heel wears down quickly, you are taking too much of the landing impact on your heel. Shorten your stride slightly and land on the whole foot to even out the wear. For walking technique, see "Are Elevator Shoes Hard to Walk In? How to Choose a Comfortable Pair." When you notice cracks in the upper, worn-away tread on the sole, or a flattened cushion inside, it is time for a new pair. For sizing when you replace them, see "Elevator Shoe Sizing: Why Your Usual Sneaker Size Is the Right Choice."
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can I wash elevator shoes in a washing machine?
No. The insole structure inside is not designed to be removed, and a full wash leaves water trapped inside, causing loss of shape and odor. Wipe the outside according to its material, and draw moisture out of the inside with newspaper or a desiccant.
Q. What should I do if my shoes get soaked in the rain?
Press out the moisture with a dry cloth, stuff the shoes with crumpled newspaper and leave them in a well-ventilated, shaded spot. Replace the newspaper when it gets damp, and let them dry for at least one night. Once dry, condition cowhide with cream and tidy suede with a brush.
Q. Can I use protective spray or cream as soon as my shoes arrive?
Please wait until your size is confirmed. Size exchanges are only accepted for unworn shoes that have been tried on indoors (with product labels and accessories still attached, and the packing slip enclosed). If the size does not fit, you can exchange it once within 7 days of delivery (return shipping is paid by the customer; we cover the shipping of the replacement pair). Once you have tried them on indoors and confirmed the fit, the ideal time to apply spray or cream is before the first wear.
Q. How do I deal with odor inside the shoes?
The inside cannot be washed with water, so drying the shoes after each wear is the most effective measure. Use a desiccant or deodorizing spray, and rotate at least 2 pairs. For details, see "Sweat and Odour in Elevator Shoes: Fixes and How to Choose a Cooler Model."
LEVANO
From Easy-Care Sneakers to Leather That Gets Better with Age
Shipping within Japan is free, and orders usually ship within 1 business day of confirmation. If you are unsure which material to choose or how to care for it, feel free to reach out on LINE.
Summary
The basics of care are "match the outside to the material, and keep water out of the inside." Because the insole structure inside cannot be removed, never wash the whole shoe.
Synthetic leather (no01 and no37): wipe with diluted mild detergent and air-dry in the shade. Suede (no07): brush and protective spray; the no03 is listed as synthetic leather, so brush and a light wipe with a damp cloth. Cowhide leather (no20 and no29): a horsehair brush after every wear and cream once a month keep the shine.
Avoid direct sunlight and hair dryers, dry in the shade, and rotate at least 2 pairs. Use protective spray or cream only after your size is confirmed.
Products Featured in This Article
5cm UP Elevator Sneakers no01 | Synthetic leather, 5.0cm lift, ¥11,980 (tax included). A classic you can care for by wiping.
7.0cm UP Monotone Line Sneakers no37 | Synthetic leather, 7.0cm lift, ¥12,980 (tax included). Frequent wiping keeps the white base from yellowing.
6cm UP Suede Loafers no03 | Synthetic leather (suede-look), 6.0cm lift, 295g, ¥13,980 (tax included). Brush and a light wipe with a damp cloth.
5cm UP Suede Elevator Loafers no07 | Suede, 5.0cm lift, ¥14,980 (tax included). Brush and protective spray.
8cm UP Cowhide Leather Elevator Business Shoes no20 | Cowhide leather, 8.0cm lift, 445g, ¥20,980 (tax included). Cream care once a month.
5.0cm UP Cowhide Leather Casual Shoes no29 | Made in Japan, cowhide leather, 5.0cm lift, 390g, ¥29,680 (tax included). A pair that gets better with age.
7cm up Gurkha Sandals no36 | Microfiber leather, 7.0cm lift, ¥12,980 (tax included). Just wipe with a well-wrung damp cloth.
![[lang:ja]](http://levano-shoes.com/cdn/shop/files/7_10ef4dc8-431b-48dc-b081-dfdb80f4bcb7.png?v=1787115037&width=1000)
![[lang:ja]](http://levano-shoes.com/cdn/shop/files/ChatGPTImage2026_8_18_17_16_28.png?v=1787115752&width=1000)
![[lang:ja]](http://levano-shoes.com/cdn/shop/files/ChatGPTImage2026_8_18_16_59_13_4.png?v=1787116943&width=1000)