If you own a pair of leather shoes, you know that it requires a little care. If you do not keep them moisture free, clean, and supple, you will find mold or cracks can form. Knowing where to find a local cobbler who can help and advise you is helpful. You will find though that using leather shoe care products is essential to having the pair last for years and years.
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.
Cedar is the best material to use. It allows proper drying and allows the leather to return back to its original shoe shape. Using cedar will prevent lines from forming where your foot flexes and protects the uppers and insoles. There are plastic and metal models available on the market but they do not allow for proper drying.
After purchasing a pair, water proofing is important. If allowed to retain moisture, mold can form. You can use mink oil but know that it may darken the color of your leather. You could also use a waterproofing compound or simply be sure to always use a wax based polish for lighter protection. When a pair gets wet or damp, do not under any circumstances dry them next to a heater or use a blow dryer. Doing so can dry them too quickly and cause cracking.
Allowing the pair to get too dry is also a problem. It will cause them to crack, thus ruining them. Use a specialty conditioner or shoe cream every few months to prevent them from drying out. You can also buff in a little dab of petroleum jelly to do the job.
There are some basic tools you should have in order to extend the life of your shoes. In addition to cedar models, you need a shoe horn. They protect the back of shoes when you put them on which helps maintain their shape. A specialty spray can be used to make cleaning easier. A horse hair brush is used to work the polish in and remove the excess polish.
Mud, dirt, and alkaline can damage the leather so clean your pair often. A dry cloth will remove dirt and mud. For more stubborn grim, there are cleaners, oil soap, and saddle soap to do the job. When you want to get rid of scuff marks, an eraser or dab of non-gel toothpaste can work by rubbing on gently then brushing off.
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.
Cedar is the best material to use. It allows proper drying and allows the leather to return back to its original shoe shape. Using cedar will prevent lines from forming where your foot flexes and protects the uppers and insoles. There are plastic and metal models available on the market but they do not allow for proper drying.
After purchasing a pair, water proofing is important. If allowed to retain moisture, mold can form. You can use mink oil but know that it may darken the color of your leather. You could also use a waterproofing compound or simply be sure to always use a wax based polish for lighter protection. When a pair gets wet or damp, do not under any circumstances dry them next to a heater or use a blow dryer. Doing so can dry them too quickly and cause cracking.
Allowing the pair to get too dry is also a problem. It will cause them to crack, thus ruining them. Use a specialty conditioner or shoe cream every few months to prevent them from drying out. You can also buff in a little dab of petroleum jelly to do the job.
There are some basic tools you should have in order to extend the life of your shoes. In addition to cedar models, you need a shoe horn. They protect the back of shoes when you put them on which helps maintain their shape. A specialty spray can be used to make cleaning easier. A horse hair brush is used to work the polish in and remove the excess polish.
Mud, dirt, and alkaline can damage the leather so clean your pair often. A dry cloth will remove dirt and mud. For more stubborn grim, there are cleaners, oil soap, and saddle soap to do the job. When you want to get rid of scuff marks, an eraser or dab of non-gel toothpaste can work by rubbing on gently then brushing off.
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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