Friday 15 March 2013

Shoe Care Tips

Well made shoes crafted from genuine premium leather are an investment. They call for proper care and maintenance to not just make them as good as new but also to increase their life. A few simple pointers will enable you to care for them and make it a routine that you will follow automatically after some practice.

• Invest in a shoe tree or two – Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to have as many shoe trees as you have formal shoes. Any shoe needs to use a shoe tree for just an hour or so after being worn. An unpolished cedar wood shoe tree works best as the wood draws out the moisture (sweat) from the shoe and helps it fall back into its original shape. After that you can remove the shoe tree from the shoe.

• Leather shoe polish – Clean the shoe with a soft damp cloth and scrub away any dirt. Apply polish in a circular motion and take little polish each time, taking care not to overdo it. The more you rub, the better the shoe shines. Buff with a horsehair polishing brush and a clean cloth. For best results apply a conditioning lotion with a soft cloth.

• Suede care – Never use a polishing brush but a specific suede brush. When unavailable, a soft toothbrush can be substituted for the same. Nubuck has a finer nap than suede but should also be cleaned using a suede brush or a brush with rubber bristles.

• Air your Shoes – Give your shoes a breather; alternate between shoes and try not to wear a single pair consecutively. This helps in retaining the shape of the shoe as the leather needs time to come back to its original shape.

• Save from Heat and Water – Nothing spoils shoes faster than heat and water. Excessive heat can almost ‘cook’ your shoe’s leather and cause it to crack beyond repair. Excessively moist places or damp shoes attract mould and fungus which when formed on the shoe is near impossible to clean. If you happen to get them wet, stuff them with newspaper to draw out the moisture and let them air dry at room temperature.

• Shoe Bags – When you travel, your shoes tend to rub against each other and will cause scuff marks and stains. To avoid this, use shoe bags to pack them separately and save them from any damage.

• Shoe Horn to the Rescue – Never force your feet into shoes as this can causes them to lose shape from the heel collar and counter area. By using a shoe horn, you can slip on the shoe easily and also prolong its life.

• Home remedy for Salt Stains – For salt stains accumulated on the shoes, rub off with a 50-50 solution of vinegar and water. Ensure that you dry out the shoe completely, after treating with this solution, before storing them. Treat your shoes well and they will see you through many years of comfortable wear.

3 comments:

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  2. Very Decent data for caring the pair of shoes. It is very hard to protect our leather shoes, mostly it's shine.
    Thankyou very much for this goo post.


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  3. Thanks for this informative blog. The key points you have shared in this blog for the safety of mens dress shoes are really useful.

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