This is an interesting topic. Everybody has had different experiences with the white residue.
I've had burgundy, black and mahogany sweat that white residue.
The worst were the mahogany shell.
Years ago when I first bought mahogany shell I could brush and wipe them with a cloth,
wear them for less than an hour and see the surface getting oily again.
Some of my shoes from Alden and Allen Edmonds developed that residue and some didn't.
When I was visiting the Allen Edmonds store a few years ago the clerk handed me an article about shell cordovan.
It stated that the white residue is sheep tallow. I'm not sure if that's correct or not.
But I've always wondered what the residue was for sure, vegetable or animal fat.
I've had burgundy, black and mahogany sweat that white residue.
The worst were the mahogany shell.
Years ago when I first bought mahogany shell I could brush and wipe them with a cloth,
wear them for less than an hour and see the surface getting oily again.
Some of my shoes from Alden and Allen Edmonds developed that residue and some didn't.
When I was visiting the Allen Edmonds store a few years ago the clerk handed me an article about shell cordovan.
It stated that the white residue is sheep tallow. I'm not sure if that's correct or not.
But I've always wondered what the residue was for sure, vegetable or animal fat.
