When it comes to the shoes on your feet, it is important to take the time to care for them properly—especially if you have invested a lot in them. Quality footwear is an investment that not only elevates your personal style but it also offers premium comfort and protection for your feet. Unfortunately, if you do not look after your footwear properly, it can deteriorate quickly.
Learning how to take proper care of your footwear can make it more durable and enable you to get more use out of them. Here are a few top tips to help you maintain your footwear and get the most out of it.
- What Type of Footwear Is It?
The way you look after footwear completely depends on the specific type of footwear you own. Different fabrics, such as canvas, leather, or suede, require varying care techniques. The type of footwear you have also influences the products you may need to use to ensure optimal results.
Caring for Different Types of Footwear
Some canvas shoes can withstand being in the washing machine, while leather may require conditioning to stop it from cracking (more on that later in the article). Suede footwear is more delicate, and you need to follow a specific process to maintain the texture, while trainers made with athletic fabrics may require specialist cleaning products to keep them clean without compromising performance. By understanding the unique care requirements of each type of footwear, you can preserve their appearance, durability, and comfort more efficiently.
- Clean Your Footwear
Once you have identified the type of footwear you have, you need to adapt to its specific care requirements.
- Leather shoes require a soft brush or cloth to gently remove dirt. Use a damp cloth and mild soap to wipe down the shoes, then allow them to air dry. Polishing your shoes with a high-quality product, such as Saphir shoe polish from burrowsandhare.co.uk, will help extend the life of leather footwear. It will also help restore its appearance.
- For canvas shoes, remove the laces and wash them separately. Some people machine wash their canvas shoes. However, if you want to be more gentle, combine water with a mild detergent, then use it to gently scrub your shoes. Once you’re done, rinse them off and let them air dry.
- You need a suede brush to clean suede and nubuck footwear. These types of shoes need to be spot cleaned with a vinegar-water mixture. Blot the shoes, then allow them to air dry.
- Trainers made with athletic fabrics need to be wiped down and scrubbed using a mild soap solution. Once scrubbed, rinse them, then air dry them.
- Conditioning Leather Shoes
Periodically, you will need to condition leather shoes. To do so, apply a small amount of leather conditioner on a clean cloth, then use circular motions to rub it gently into the shoe. Make sure you condition all over, including the bends and creases of the shoe. Allow the conditioner to settle for the recommended time indicated on the back of the bottle, then wipe off any excess. Repeat whenever you notice your shoes drying up.