The Complete Guide to Waterproofing
Everything you need to know about protecting your shoes, bags and textiles from everyday moisture—starting with the basics and going all the way to choosing the right waterproofer.
Rain, splashes, spills and everyday moisture are part of life—and your shoes and bags have to deal with them too.
Waterproofing gives your items an added layer of protection by helping water and other liquids bead up and roll off the surface rather than immediately soaking in.
But choosing a waterproofer is about more than simply looking for something that says “waterproof.” Different formulations offer different strengths and care properties, and understanding how waterproofing works can help you make better choices for the things you own.
This is your starting point. Explore the series below to learn more about waterproofing, how it fits into your care routine and which Collonil waterproofer may suit your needs.
Explore the Waterproofing Series
Start with the question you're looking to answer, or work your way through the series from beginning to end.
What Is Waterproofing?
What actually happens when you waterproof a material? Learn how water-repellent protection works and what it does for leather, suede, textiles and other materials.
Why Waterproof Your Shoes & Bags?
Why make waterproofing part of your care routine? Discover the benefits of protection—and what waterproofing can and cannot realistically do.
How to Waterproof Your Shoes & Bags
A practical guide to waterproofing properly, including how to prepare your item, spray methodically and evenly, and allow the product to dry.
Which Collonil Waterproofer Should I Use?
All our waterproofers protect against moisture, but each has its own strengths and care properties. Find the one that best matches your material, needs and preferences.
Why Choose Collonil?
Collonil has been developing care products for leather and textiles since 1909. That's more than a century of experience dedicated to understanding materials, how they behave and how to care for them properly.
And that expertise doesn't stop with tradition. Collonil continues to invest in research, innovation and new technologies, bringing the latest advancements in leather and textile care to its products.
As a German-made brand, Collonil products are developed with the precision and attention to detail you would expect from German engineering—carefully formulated for the materials they are designed to protect and maintain.
This is why we look beyond simply asking whether a product “waterproofs.” We consider how it protects, how it interacts with different materials and what additional care properties it can provide.
The Collonil waterproofers we carry in the Philippines are not water-based and offer different strengths and care properties. This allows you to choose according to what your material needs and the finish or result you prefer.
More than 100 years of expertise, combined with continuous innovation, means you get the benefit of both proven experience and modern technology in the care of your shoes, bags and textiles.
Know Your Material
Before choosing a care product, it helps to understand what your item is made of. Different materials have different structures, finishes and care needs.
Our Material Series explores the characteristics of different materials, how they behave and why each may need a different approach to care.
More CollonilPH Care Guides
Waterproofing is just one part of caring for your favorite things. Explore our other guides to learn more about different materials, their characteristics and how to care for them properly.
Preserve & Protect. The Collonil Way.
The right care starts with understanding your material—and knowing what it needs.