Sunday, February 1, 2009

5 Top Tips for caring for your leather shoes

By Ermine James

Quality leather shoes cost money, so you want them to last as long as possible. Here's 5 top tips for getting ther maxium lifespan from them:

Clean leather shoes in a regular basis. To efficiently clean your shoes without harming them, use soapy water and a soft cloth and wipe the excess. Apply saddle soap all over the shoes, both inside and out and wipe the excess again. Dry the insides carefully. Place a sheet of tissue paper or a paper napkin within the shoe and leave it for a few minutes. Repeat the process to dry out the shoe entirely. After this, dust some talcum powder to absorb any remaining moisture. Remember that leather is skin, literally and figuratively, so treat your shoes as carefully as you would your own skin. If possible, clean the dirt off after every wear with a soft rag or brush.

Waterproof your casual shoes and outdoor leather boots with a quality shoe care product to protect your footwear from water, snow and salt stains. These products usually come on a spray. Apply a good two to three coats to make sure that your shoes are covered properly. Reapply the proofing regularly to guarantee protection from weather and water damage. Leather tends to shrink and get hard if it gets wet, so waterproofing your shoes are important. If they do get wet, let them dry naturally.

Condition your shoes to keep the leather soft and supple, to avoid cracks and to preserve a comfortable fit. Use quality leather conditioning oil or lotion. All-natural products are preferable as they allow the leather to breathe better, and harsh-chemicals can be harmful to the leather. Silicone-based products sit on top of the leather, making it look shiny. Leather conditioners are available at most large pharmacy chains in the shoe-care section.

Store your leather shoes on shoe trees to absorb excess moisture and retain the shape of the leather. Do not put leather shoes near direct heat, and place them somewhere dry to avoid mildew. Do not put them immediately away after you take them off. Switch on the ceiling fan and allow them to air out. Leather retains moisture from your feet, which will eventually cause it to dry and crack if you don't give them a chance to air out for a day or so. Shoes need at least 12-24 hours of rest between wearing to avoid disfigurement.

Repair minor shoes problems before they became permanent harm. Broken heels and worn soles are not only unpleasant and can cause further harm to your shoes, but they are also uncomfortable to walk on and can be potentially hazardous for your feet. If you see anything that needs repairs, take your shoes immediately in local shoe repair shops.

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