🧴 How to Care for Kolhapuri Chappals: Season-Wise Guide & Oiling Tips

🪶 Introduction: Why Kolhapuris Deserve Special Care

Kolhapuri chappals are not just footwear — they are a symbol of India’s living heritage. Handcrafted by skilled artisans, each pair carries centuries of tradition, regional pride, and artistic expression. Unlike machine-made shoes, Kolhapuris are made with real leather, stitched and shaped by hand, often using age-old vegetable tanning methods.

Because of this, they require care, respect, and understanding — especially when exposed to different weather conditions. In this guide, we’ll help you understand:

• How to take care of Kolhapuri chappals in summer, monsoon, and winter

• When and how to apply oil

• Which leather types need oiling

• General storage and cleaning tips

☀️ Summer Care: Protect from Sun & Cracks

Leather is sensitive to heat and dryness. Here’s how to protect your Kolhapuris in summer:

• Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight – it can dry the leather and cause cracking or fading.

• Use leather oil sparingly (only on vegetable-tanned or buff leather) every 2–3 months. This prevents drying and keeps the leather supple.

• Clean dust regularly with a soft, dry cloth. Dust can build up and cause grime if ignored.

• Storage tip: Use breathable cotton bags, never plastic, which traps moisture and heat.

🌧️ Monsoon Care: Save from Moisture & Water Damage

Monsoon is tricky for leather, especially traditional, untreated types.

• Avoid wearing your Kolhapuris in rain unless they are coated or synthetic.

• If they do get wet:

  • Dry in the shade — never under direct sun or with a dryer.

  • Stuff newspaper inside to absorb moisture and maintain shape.

  • Use leather protector spray if your pair is chrome-tanned or polished.

• Do not oil wet leather — wait till completely dry, then apply light oil (if applicable).

❄️ Winter Care: Avoid Stiffness & Mold

Cold and damp conditions can make your Kolhapuris stiff or moldy if not stored properly.

• Use castor oil (Erandel) lightly on untreated leather to keep it soft.

• Avoid keeping them in damp storage — it leads to mold or fungal spots.

• Use clove sachets or silica gel in your shoe rack for freshness and dryness.

🛢️ Oiling Kolhapuris: When, Why & How

Oiling helps nourish the leather, increase flexibility, and prolong the lifespan of your chappals — but only when it’s the right kind of leather.

✅ When to Oil:

• If the leather feels dry, dull, or stiff

• After cleaning with a damp cloth (once dried completely)

• Every 2–3 months in hot or dry climates

❌ When NOT to Oil:

• If your Kolhapuris are made of chrome-tanned, PU-coated, or synthetic leather

• Oiling such leathers can damage polish, stitching, or surface texture

Know Your Leather: Types Used in Kolhapuris

Tip: Always check the leather type before applying anything.

🧽 General Cleaning & Storage Tips

• Use a soft cloth or brush — avoid anything too rough that might scratch the leather.

• Do not bend or fold Kolhapuri soles — they are handmade and shaped to balance.

• Rotate pairs if you wear them daily — it helps extend their life.

• Use dust bags or cloth wraps for long-term storage.

🪔 Final Thoughts: Respect the Craft, Honour the Artisan

Every Kolhapuri chappal tells a story — of patience, skill, and legacy. A few extra minutes of care every season can make these handcrafted soles last for years, sometimes even a generation.

When you wear Kolhapuris, you don’t just wear footwear — you carry forward a tradition that belongs to Kolhapur’s soil and its artisans’ hands.

Care for them like you would care for any art form — with love, with pride, and with respect.

🙌 Explore & Shop Authentic Kolhapuris at SHOPKOP

Whether you're looking for classic tan chappals, modern Kolhapuri styles, or GI-tagged originals, SHOPKOP offers footwear made by artisans who’ve mastered the craft.