Practical advice :
How to care for your shoes
The 11 golden rules for sustainable,
environmentally-friendly garment care
#1 · Always check the washing instructions on the label of your garment.
#2 · Only wash your clothes when necessary. Washing pollutes and consumes a lot of water and energy. Moreover, washing clothes made of synthetic materials, such as nylon, polyester, or elastane, releases plastic micro-particles into the wastewater, eventually ending in the oceans.
#3 · Wait until you have enough clothes to wash before starting your machine to avoid running it too often. However, avoid overloading the machine so as not to pack the clothes. Always leave a space, approximately the width of a hand, between the top of the drum and the clothes.
#4 · Wash at 30°C(86°F) whenever possible: For most of our textiles, a low-temperature wash of 30°C(86°F) is sufficient. By washing at 30°C(86°F) instead of 60°C(140°F), you can save over 60% of energy per wash. It also reduces limescale deposits and increases the life of your washing machine.
#5 · Use detergents with an environmental label: You can also make your own detergent with natural products.
#6 · Choose detergents without bleach or brighteners for all colored items.
#7 · Avoid strongly scented detergents and softeners, as they may contain polluting detergents. When in contact with the skin, they can also cause allergies.
#8 · Use a low spin speed to prevent the garment from shrinking or pilling in the washing machine.
#9 · Go for natural drying. Avoid using the tumble dryer, which is relatively energy-intensive and distorts the fibers of the clothes.
#10 · Only use professional cleaning if it is recommended on your garment label.
Specific care advice for each type of shoe
Leather shoes
• Regular cleaning and moisturising
• Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun
• Do not wear the same pair of shoes for more than 3 consecutive days
• Don't forget the shoe trees
• Before applying a new coat of shoe polish, use a cleansing and nourishing milk (Avel brand) which removes successive coats of shoe polish and allows the leather to breathe and nourish it.
• After a heavy downpour, air-dry naturally using unvarnished wooden shoe trees to absorb the water. Dry slowly but effectively without deforming the shoe or cracking the leather.
Canvas shoes
• Hand wash with mild soap
• Air drying
• Machine wash without spinning on a wool programme at 40°. Warning: remove the insole and wash separately.
• If the fabric is white: use Ariel-type washing powder (which contains bleaching agents) + sodium bicarbonate.
• If there are indelible stains: ask us for advice. One stain = 1 special case
• The rubber sole cleans very well with Ajax powder, silver or clay stone and a magic sponge.
Suede shoes (suede leather or nubuck)
• Use specific brushes with fine metal bristles or stiff vegetable bristles.
• Waterproof as soon as you buy them, then brush before use to protect against stains and bad weather.
• This material can be washed in warm water with washing-up liquid, taking all the usual precautions: stuff the shoe with absorbent paper, clean, dry naturally and then brush with a special brush.
• Remove greasy stains with terre de Sommière.
• Avoid water and greasy products
• All stains are special cases: don't hesitate to contact us.
Sports shoes
• Regular cleaning to avoid odours
• Use removable insoles for easy cleaning
• Clean with soapy water
• A rubber sole cleans very well with Ajax powder, silver or clay stone and a magic sponge.
The spirit of agnès b.
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Agnès b. quality is based on a long search for the best materials from the best weavers, mainly in France, Italy and Belgium.
agnès b. has always supported making in France:
"We have been manufacturing in France since the brand was created in 1973, because in our country we have expertise, workshops and skilled people", Agnès emphasises.
agnès b. carefully selects all its suppliers, based on precise social and environmental criteria, and has long-standing privileged relationships with most of them, considering them to be valuable partners.
agnès b.'s secrets for sustainable footwear :
• Choice of quality materials
• Timeless design for longevity
• Importance of repair and reuse