How to Protect Trainers & Shoes from Water and Stains
How to Protect Trainers & Shoes from Water and Stains
Rain splashes, muddy pavements and accidental spills can leave their mark on your favourite trainers and sneakers. The right protection depends on the material: suitable smooth leather benefits from a protective balsam, while suede, nubuck and absorbent fabrics need an appropriate protector spray.
If you are looking for a waterproof spray for shoes or wondering how to protect leather trainers, this guide explains which treatment to choose, how to apply it and how to keep your footwear cared for.
Choosing a trainer and sneaker protector spray
Before choosing a shoe protector spray or leather balsam, check the footwear maker’s care instructions. Look at each material and finish, including any existing protective treatment.
Suede and nubuck
Use a trainer protector spray designed for these soft, textured materials. Renapur Suede & Fabric Protector helps repel water and stains without adding a waxy finish. Do not use Leather Balsam on suede or nubuck.
Canvas and absorbent fabric
Renapur Suede & Fabric Protector also protects suitable canvas and other absorbent fabrics. Its water-based, non-aerosol formula is designed to preserve their appearance, feel and breathability.
Smooth leather
Renapur Leather Balsam conditions and helps protect suitable smooth leather against moisture and stains. Its oils help keep the leather supple, while beeswax and carnauba wax leave a protective finish. It is suitable for compatible leather trainers and shoes.
Mixed-material trainers
Different panels may need different care. Apply each treatment only to compatible materials, checking leather overlays, suede panels, fabric sections and decorative finishes separately.
How to apply protector spray to suede and fabric trainers
For suitable suede, nubuck, canvas and absorbent fabric uppers, follow these steps with Renapur Suede & Fabric Protector.
1. Check your shoes
Read the care instructions and check the materials and finishes. An existing water-repellent treatment may prevent another protector from absorbing properly.
2. Clean the surface
Remove loose dirt and dust. If cleaning is needed, use a suitable cleaner and remove any remaining cleaning residue before applying protection.
3. Test Hidden Area
Apply a little protector to a discreet area of the material you intend to treat. Let it dry fully and check the appearance before continuing.
4. Spray evenly
Apply across the suitable upper until damp to the touch. Cover the material around seams and folds, treating only the surfaces compatible with the spray.
6. Leave for 24 hours
Allow the shoes to dry fully for 24 hours before wearing them. Plan ahead so that your trainers have the time they need before their next outing.
How to protect leather trainers and shoes with Balsam
For suitable smooth leather footwear, Renapur Leather Balsam combines conditioning and protection in one treatment. Check the leather’s suitability and test a small, hidden area before applying it more widely.
1. Clean the leather
Remove loose dirt. If further cleaning is needed, use a cleaner suitable for the leather and allow it to dry naturally before applying Balsam.
If your footwear needs a deeper clean, use Renapur Sneaker Cleaner first and allow the leather to dry naturally before conditioning.
2. Always patch test
Before treating the whole item, test Renapur Leather Balsam on a small, inconspicuous area first, particularly with lighter-coloured or more absorbent leather.
Conditioning can darken some leather, so this allows you to check that you are happy with the result.
3. Apply Renapur Leather Balsam
Lightly wipe the application sponge across the surface of the balsam, then wipe the sponge against the side of the pot to remove any excess. A little goes a long way.
Use the sponge to work a thin, even layer gently over the compatible smooth leather sections, avoiding suede, fabric and decorative details.
How to protect white trainers from stains
White trainers show everyday marks quickly, but their colour does not determine which treatment to use. Choose protection according to the material.
For suitable smooth leather, apply Renapur Leather Balsam sparingly to condition the leather and help protect it against moisture and stains. For suitable white suede, nubuck, canvas or absorbent fabric, use Renapur Suede & Fabric Protector.
If your pair already needs attention, Renapur Sneaker Cleaner can help remove everyday dirt from compatible materials. Test a discreet area first and follow the cleaning instructions before applying protection.
Protection will not remove existing stains or reverse yellowing. Clean first, then protect to help reduce future marking.
Will protection make your trainers completely waterproof?
Renapur Leather Balsam helps provide water resistance on suitable smooth leather, while Renapur Suede & Fabric Protector helps suitable absorbent uppers repel water.
Neither treatment changes how the shoes are constructed. Water can still enter through openings, seams and joins, and a surface treatment cannot seal the gaps in an open mesh upper.
Whether you choose Balsam or a waterproof spray for shoes, use your footwear in conditions appropriate to its design. Protection helps with everyday exposure, but prolonged rain, deep puddles and very wet ground call for footwear designed for those conditions.
Keep your trainers and shoes protected
Keep up with everyday care
Remove loose dirt regularly and follow the footwear maker’s cleaning instructions. Both leather and fabric footwear benefit from a care routine suited to their materials.
Deal with spills promptly
Do not leave a spill sitting on the surface. Follow the care guidance for the material and clean it as soon as practical.
Renew the right treatment
Reapply Renapur Suede & Fabric Protector every six months, or as required. For Leather Balsam, let the condition of the leather and how often you wear the shoes guide further applications. Always use it sparingly.
Your shoe protection questions answered
Should I protect new trainers before wearing them?
For suitable, untreated footwear, applying the appropriate protection before the first wear lets you start with a clean surface. Check the manufacturer’s instructions first, as some new shoes already have a protective finish. Choose the treatment by material and test a discreet area before proceeding.
Do I need both Leather Balsam and protector spray?
It depends on your footwear. Suitable smooth leather can be cared for with Leather Balsam, while suede, nubuck and suitable absorbent fabrics need Protector spray. Mixed-material trainers may benefit from different treatments on different compatible panels. You do not need to apply both products over the same surface.
Will protection change the colour of my shoes?
Always test your chosen treatment on a small, hidden area and check the colour and finish before treating the whole shoe. With Renapur Suede & Fabric Protector, the material may look darker while wet, so let the test area dry completely before judging the result.
How much product will I need?
Use Leather Balsam sparingly, wiping excess from the sponge onto the edge of the pot before application.
For Renapur Suede & Fabric Protector, a 100 millilitre bottle treats up to four pairs of shoes, while a 250 millilitre bottle treats up to ten pairs. Coverage depends on the size of the footwear and how absorbent the material is.
Will Balsam or protector spray remove existing stains?
Neither replaces an appropriate cleaning treatment for existing stains. Clean the footwear according to its material first, then use Leather Balsam to condition and protect suitable smooth leather or Protector spray to help protect suitable suede, nubuck and fabric.
Keep your favourite kicks looking their best
Choose protection that suits your shoes. Care for compatible smooth leather with Renapur Leather Balsam, or protect suitable suede, nubuck and fabric with Renapur Suede & Fabric Protector.
Explore our leather boots and shoes care guide or our complete guide to suede, nubuck and fabric protector for more detailed advice.