By Sally Delacruz
A good pair of leather shoes is an investment that will last for years if cared for properly. Buying an expensive pair will be a complete waste of money if you do not keep them clean, moisture free, and supple. Finding a local cobbler will also add to their life by having them resoled when needed. In addition it is essential to use leather shoe care products.
Something that does not take any time at all is to just rotate the shoes or at least take them off as soon as you get home. By doing so, you are allowing the moisture to dry out, which is important for the leather. In addition, place a cedar shoe tree inside the pair once you removed them from your feet.
You will find plastic or metal models but they do not allow the shoes to properly dry. This also prevents the shoes from returning to their original shape. Cedar does this plus it helps to give your insoles and uppers a longer life while preventing lines from forming where your foot flexes.
You might be wondering what the big deal is about moisture. Well, other than making your feet uncomfortable, it allows mold and bacteria to grow on the leather. A few simple ways to prevent this from happening is to always dry them properly when they get wet by inserting a towel or newspaper inside them and removing when damp. Also, apply a light waterproofing spray when you first purchase them, or you can simply use a wax based polish. There are also waterproofing compounds you can purchase and apply.
Just as too much moisture is bad for your investment, so is allowing them to get too dry. Cracks will form and ruin them. Once this happens there is no saving them. To prevent this you can apply a shoe cream or conditioner every few months. You can also buff on a little dab of petroleum jelly.
The basic products that will extend the life of your shoes are inexpensive and easy to find. Cedar shoe trees, which we have already talked about. Use a shoe horn to maintain their shape by protecting the back when you slip them on. A horse hair brush is also essential for working in polish and removing any excess.
Cleaning on a regular basis is a must. It removes stains, layers of polish, and dirt. You can use a specialty cleaner, saddle soap, oil soap, or just a dry cloth. Erasers and non-gel toothpaste are used to remove scuff marks, remember to be gentle when doing this.
Caring for your shoes also means that at some point you will have to have the leather soles resoled. Before this happens, visit local cobblers and find one you like and trust. They can give you advice and provide quality products. If there are none in your area that you want to use, just put the pair back in their original box and return to the manufacture for them to refurbish.
Something that does not take any time at all is to just rotate the shoes or at least take them off as soon as you get home. By doing so, you are allowing the moisture to dry out, which is important for the leather. In addition, place a cedar shoe tree inside the pair once you removed them from your feet.
You will find plastic or metal models but they do not allow the shoes to properly dry. This also prevents the shoes from returning to their original shape. Cedar does this plus it helps to give your insoles and uppers a longer life while preventing lines from forming where your foot flexes.
You might be wondering what the big deal is about moisture. Well, other than making your feet uncomfortable, it allows mold and bacteria to grow on the leather. A few simple ways to prevent this from happening is to always dry them properly when they get wet by inserting a towel or newspaper inside them and removing when damp. Also, apply a light waterproofing spray when you first purchase them, or you can simply use a wax based polish. There are also waterproofing compounds you can purchase and apply.
Just as too much moisture is bad for your investment, so is allowing them to get too dry. Cracks will form and ruin them. Once this happens there is no saving them. To prevent this you can apply a shoe cream or conditioner every few months. You can also buff on a little dab of petroleum jelly.
The basic products that will extend the life of your shoes are inexpensive and easy to find. Cedar shoe trees, which we have already talked about. Use a shoe horn to maintain their shape by protecting the back when you slip them on. A horse hair brush is also essential for working in polish and removing any excess.
Cleaning on a regular basis is a must. It removes stains, layers of polish, and dirt. You can use a specialty cleaner, saddle soap, oil soap, or just a dry cloth. Erasers and non-gel toothpaste are used to remove scuff marks, remember to be gentle when doing this.
Caring for your shoes also means that at some point you will have to have the leather soles resoled. Before this happens, visit local cobblers and find one you like and trust. They can give you advice and provide quality products. If there are none in your area that you want to use, just put the pair back in their original box and return to the manufacture for them to refurbish.
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