Questions and answers

Protection from nature: Questions and answers about our new Sneaker Protector

Posted on by Till
27
Aug

A reliable protector is the be-all and end-all for your sneakers because it protects your shoes from external influences such as dirt, moisture penetration and stains. Especially more sensitive materials such as suede or mesh can quickly be damaged if they are exposed to moisture or dirt without protection. Good protection through impregnation prevents liquids and dirt from penetrating the fabric. This makes stains easier to wipe off, the material stays as good as new for longer and your feet dry.
The ideal solution for this is Tapir’s latest Sneaker Protector Spray.
This not only extends the life of your sneakers, but also preserves their appearance – ideal for those who want to enjoy their shoes for a long time.

A sneaker protector is an impregnation that offers long-lasting protection against dirt and moisture. This spray is applied to the upper of the sneakers (e.g. leather, fabric, suede) and then forms an invisible protective layer that ensures that liquids roll off and dirt cannot penetrate the material. It is ideal for protecting the entire outside of the sneakers. In addition to the Sneaker Protector, there is also a protection that is explicitly intended for the sole, the so-called Sole Protector. This is a transparent film or rubber layer that is glued to the sole (most often the outsole). The aim of this is to prevent abrasion, yellowing and dirt on the sole.

Our new Sneaker Protector Spray has a lot of advantages. Not only for you and your shoes, but also for the environment.
On the one hand, the Sneaker Protector protects your shoes from the penetration of moisture and dirt, which increases the durability of the shoe in the long term. In addition, your feet stay dry, which simply makes wearing the shoes more comfortable in wind and weather.
Since the protector is completely ecological, it is also good for the environment and reduces your personal global footprint. For example, if the product were to end up in the wastewater, it would not hurt at all, as everything can be degraded naturally. We already pay attention to sustainability during production and packaging.
Our Tapir Sneaker Protector is eco-friendly, non-toxic, naturally degradable, breathable and invisible on your shoes.
So support our valuable environment with your contribution by using our Tapir Sneaker Protector!

In order to adequately protect your sneakers from dirt and moisture, the correct application of our Sneaker Protector Spray is crucial.
First of all, make sure that your sneakers to be protected are clean and free of residue. We recommend that you simply always apply the Sneaker Protector with the Sneaker Cleaner after cleaning in order to optimally protect your shoes. For new sneakers, it is advisable to apply the protector directly before putting on the shoes for the first time outside.
Then start by shaking the protector well so that any settled ingredients can recombine with each other and it can take full effect.
Then spray the impregnation evenly on the shoe from a distance of approx. 10-15 cm until it is slightly damp.
After applying the protector, allow the sneakers time to absorb and dry the waterproofing. Repeat the application and action if necessary and especially if the shoes have had extensive contact with water and dirt.

To ensure that your sneakers are well protected from water, dirt and stains, the Sneaker Protector should be used regularly. Of course, the specific frequency of use depends on the material, the use and the environment.
In general, however, we recommend that you impregnate your sneakers well right before wearing them for the first time. If worn regularly in everyday life and in quite dry weather, a refresher about every 2-4 weeks is sufficient. If your sneakers have come into heavy contact with rain or the like, it is best to renew the impregnation immediately and generally renew it every 1-2 weeks in damp weather.

Always make sure to spray the protector only on clean and dry sneakers and apply the spray evenly from a distance of about 20-30 cm.
Tapir tip:
If the water doesn’t roll off the upper during the test, it’s time for a new application of the Sneaker Protector.

The protector can also be applied to suede. For mixed materials, such as smooth leather and suede shoes, the most absorbent should be started first. In this case, it would be the suede first and then the smooth leather.
Otherwise, the protector is suitable for synthetic materials, mesh, textiles and much more.

In the following, we have compiled for you exactly which ingredients and effects are contained in our Sneaker Protector Spray.

Shea butter
Shea butter is a vegetable fat extracted from the nuts of the shea tree. The valuable fats and vitamins it contains keep the material to be protected supple and counteract dehydration. This means that the material remains elastic and becomes more resistant to cracks and wear and tear and the surface is sealed for care.

Berry wax
So-called berry wax is obtained from the berries of the lacquer tree. It is a mixture of vegetable fats and fatty acids and not wax in the true sense of the word. The berries of the lacquer tree contain a high proportion of berry wax. This is obtained by boiling the crushed fruit pulp with water. The raw wax floats on the water and can then be skimmed off and filtered.
The berry wax forms a fine, protective layer on the surface of the material. This layer then ensures that water and dirt roll off instead of penetrating the fabric or leather. So it is actually an ideal vegan alternative for impregnating textiles, leather and suede. It works gently but effectively, does not damage the material and is biodegradable and low-irritant.
In addition, berry wax gives the surface of the material a well-groomed look without being too shiny or leaving greasy residues.

Carnauba
Carnauba wax is extracted from the leaves of the Brazilian carnauba palm. Their leaves are covered on both sides with a layer of wax, which protects them from evaporation. The leaves are harvested during the six-month dry season. At certain intervals, six to eight leaves per tree are cut off and laid out to dry for a few days. The shrinking of the leaves dissolves the wax, which is then obtained by scraping and tapping.
Used in the sneaker cleaner, the carnauba wax then forms a firm but breathable protective layer on the surface of shoes. This barrier allows water, dirt and dust to roll off without sealing the material or sealing it airtight. This protects sensitive materials such as leather, textile or suede from stains and moisture.
Carnauba wax is considered the hardest natural wax. For this reason, its protection is very durable without having to constantly renew the impregnation. It is also abrasion-resistant and resistant to various weather influences such as rain or sunlight with UV.
In addition to its protective effect, it nourishes at the same time. It helps to keep the material supple and therefore prevent cracking due to drying out.
It also gives the surface a natural, subtle shine, but without leaving greasy residues on the material.
In conclusion, carnauba wax is a vegan, biodegradable and skin-friendly sensible ingredient in ecological or natural impregnation sprays.

Sugar cane wax
The natural and vegetable sugar cane wax is obtained from residues and by-products of sugar cane processing. Since it is also a renewable raw material, it is particularly sustainable. It is biodegradable, vegan and contains no harsh chemicals – ideal for environmentally conscious care products.
Because it forms a hydrophobic (water-repellent) protective layer on the upper of the shoe, it is ideal as an ingredient in Sneaker Protector Sprays. This layer prevents dirt and water from penetrating the fabric or leather. Liquids simply roll off and dirt is easier to remove. The protective layer is very gentle and gentle even on sensitive materials, as it neither seals them nor blocks their breathability.
In addition to protecting against the penetration of moisture, it also has a nourishing effect. Sugarcane wax helps to keep the material supple, prevents it from drying out and makes the surface look well-groomed.

Orange oil
Orange oil is usually extracted from the peel of oranges as a by-product of orange juice production.
It has a lot of positive properties that make it well suited for use in a sneaker protector spray.
The first is its fat-dissolving effect. It can therefore help to remove light dirt or greasy residues from the sneaker surface, so that the waterproofing spray adheres better to the material and thus the waterproofing effect can be improved.
The oil also has natural antibacterial and antifungal properties, which can help reduce odors and keep the sneakers hygienic. Its pleasant and fruity-fresh smell can also neutralize unpleasant odors and give the shoes a fresh scent completely naturally without artificial perfumes.

Castor oil
Castor oil is a vegetable oil extracted from the seeds of the miracle tree. In natural and vegan waterproofing sprays for sneakers, it takes on several nourishing and protective functions. Castor oil forms a fine, protective layer on the surface of the sneaker that repels moisture and dirt. This is not a classic impregnating agent such as silicone, but it supports the water-repellent effect in combination with other vegetable waxes such as carnauba or berry wax. Above all, castor oil is known for its intensively moisturizing properties. It keeps leather, suede and textile materials supple, prevents them from drying out and protects them from tears.
It also gives the surface a light, natural shine and can refresh the colours of matt or slightly faded materials without leaving a greasy film.
It is therefore biodegradable, vegan and skin-friendly and ensures gentle protection and rich care of the material without polluting the environment or materials.

Liquid ammonia
Ammonia is also known as ammonia solution. This is a highly alkaline liquid that is used in diluted form in some cleaning or impregnating sprays. In sneaker care products, it primarily fulfils a cleansing and preparatory function, not directly an impregnating one. Ammonia has a strong grease and dirt dissolving effect and helps to remove old care residues, grease, dust or dirt from the shoe surface. This allows the subsequent impregnating materials to adhere and work better.

Xanthan
Xanthan gum is a naturally occurring polysaccharide (=polysaccharide, i.e. carbohydrates consisting of a large number of monosaccharides (simple sugars)). It is obtained by the fermentation of sugars by certain bacteria (usually Xanthomonas campestris). In impregnations or protector sprays, it does not play a protective role in the narrower sense, like waxes or oils, but fulfils other functions, which will now be explained in more detail.
On the one hand, xanthan gum is used as a natural thickener, which ensures that the impregnating spray has an even and stable consistency. Because the spray is neither too liquid nor too thick, it can be applied evenly and adheres better to the shoe surface. Due to the gel-like consistency produced by xanthan gum, the active ingredients (such as carnauba wax or castor oil) can adhere better to the surface and are not immediately removed or run.
It also acts as an ingredient stabiliser and ensures that the waxes, oils and water do not separate from each other.
Of course, xanthan gum is also biodegradable, non-toxic, vegan and skin-friendly.

Water

The water in our natural Sneaker Protector Spray serves as a solvent or carrier. It helps to evenly distribute the other natural ingredients, such as vegetable oils or waxes, and introduce them into the material of the shoes. In addition, water makes it easier to apply the spray. This allows the protective components to penetrate the material better to form a protective layer against water, dirt and stains.

Vegetable Stearin
Vegetable stearin is a solid, waxy substance that is mainly derived from vegetable fats and oils such as rapeseed or palm oil. It consists mainly of stearic acid. Vegetable stearin is biodegradable and is considered a sustainable alternative to petroleum products.
In a natural Sneaker Protector Spray, it primarily fulfills the function of a solid carrier or binder. It helps to stabilize all protective ingredients, such as vegetable waxes or oils, and distribute them evenly throughout the spray. It also helps to form a protective layer on the shoes that repels water, dirt and stains later.

These are all the ingredients in our natural and vegan Sneaker Protector Spray – nothing else. For the best possible protection of your shoes and a better environment!