Shoes can be one of your priciest accessories so it only makes sense that you take care of them once you’ve invested a hefty amount in buying them.
With the wear and tear that comes from regular use, your shoes can lose their lifespan. Here are some really helpful shoe care tips that can keep your shoes in good shape so that you don’t have to replace them sooner than you would prefer.
1. Wipe them Clean After Every Use
Get a good quality shoe brush or use a soft, dry towel to wipe off any dirt and particles from your shoes after every use. Give them a good cleanse before you put them back in their place.
If there are any stains, you need to use a proper shoe cleaning agent and gently scrub the stain off. In case it’s a leather shoe, cleaning them regularly with a leather shoe polish can help keep the leather in good condition for longer.
2. Keep the Insides Clean
This is especially important for your everyday wear shoes. Make sure your feet are completely dry before you put your shoes on. If your feet tend to get sweaty, it’s a good idea to use foot powder. Never wear closed-toe shoes without socks, hose or sock liners. This will help the insoles from getting damaged by sweat.
To avoid shoes getting smelly or mouldy from the inside, you can give them a good wipe using an alcohol swab. Alternatively, you can wipe with a few drops of tea tree oil or any other suitable antifungal agent. Some baking soda can also be sprinkled inside the shoe and left for a few hours. You can later dust it off.
3. Dry Them Properly if They Get Wet
Even though shoes and moisture are hardly ever a good combination, there will be days when your shoes will get wet. Whenever that happens, allow the shoes to dry completely before wearing them again or putting them inside your wardrobe. It’s best to let them dry naturally.
If you want to speed up the drying, you can stuff the shoes with tissue paper. Using a hairdryer is not a good option as the heat can damage your shoe.
4. Store Them the Right Way
The right storage location for your shoes is somewhere dry and cool. Of note, temperature fluctuations can weaken the fibres of leather and suede and also damage the construction of the shoe. There should be enough room for all your pairs of shoes and they shouldn’t be packed one on top of the other.
Closed-toes should be stuffed with balled paper. Avoid the use of heavily-inked newspaper for this. Also, keep your shoes away from plastics. Plastic hinders the flow of air that is needed to protect your shoes from mould growth.
Start looking after your shoes when they’re still box fresh. Follow this shoe care guide right from day one of use to keep your shoes looking great for much longer.
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