The condition of a person's shoes is used to evaluate a person's neatness and neatness, especially when it comes to men. And the French generally believe that the external image is made up of little things and details, so the condition of the shoes can both emphasize favorably and completely ruin the impression of a person. To keep your shoes clean and in pristine shape, you need to select the appropriate shoe care products.
The condition of shoes depends on external factors, such as weather conditions, temperature conditions, and all kinds of reagents and contaminants. To help every person learn proper care, experts have compiled a rating of care products for leather, patent leather, suede and textile shoes, as well as nubuck shoes. Maintenance must be regular and timely so as not to miss the processes of destruction of materials.
According to experts, the best shoe care products are specialized products that are intended for a specific type and type of shoes in order to extend their service life and maintain their visual appeal. In simple words, these are shoe cosmetics, which may contain dyes, solvents, animal fat, wax and much more.
Shoe polish
Shoe polish is the most common option and is most often used by both men and women. Cream can be of several types:
- thick cream based on organic solvents (suitable for shoe models made of thick genuine leather);
- emulsion liquid creams with fewer solvents in the composition (suitable for natural thin skin).
Experts advise paying attention to creams that are leaders in quality and price - Salamander, Sapphire and Kiwi. You should choose a cream not only according to the materials used to make shoes, but also according to the season of the year, for example, fatty creams are appropriate in the cold season, emulsion creams - in the summer.
Water repellent spray
If a remedy is needed leather shoe care and suede, nubuck, then a water-repellent spray will be a real salvation. By applying it over your shoes, you can protect them from precipitation, slush, moisture and reagents, which lead to stains and scuffs. If it's white shoes, white shoe care will preserve its color. And the intense shade of the shoes will be protected from fading, suede from water, and leather from creases and cracks. The best brands are Niki Line Anti Rain, Salamander Universal SMS, Ecco shoe care products, Collonil Nanopro and Kiwi Aqua Stop.
Impregnation
Impregnation is a special product that does not allow moisture and dirt to penetrate into the shoe material. Feet will always be protected from moisture and getting wet, and shoes will retain their proper appearance. Impregnation is selected depending on weather conditions and shoe materials, but the most popular is silicone impregnation, which forms a film over the shoes. The best names of impregnations are Salton, Salamander Professional, Saphir, Tarrago, Shtrikh and Nikwax.
Restorative paint
You can restore shoes after exposure to weather conditions using paint. Paint will help eliminate scratches, hide abrasions, cover up knocked-off toes or heels of shoes, and generally disguise any mechanical damage.
The paint does not wash off from shoes, it perfectly evens out the tone of shoes (especially nubuck material); after drying, the result must be secured with a protective agent. The composition includes stabilizers and silicone, wax, pigments and natural oils. The best paints for restoring shoes are Salamander, Erdal, Collonil, Sitil, Sapphire.
Stretchers
All folk remedies for stretching tight shoes have been replaced by a new remedy - stretchers. Using the product according to the instructions, you can naturally stretch the leather of your shoes, guaranteeing a slight stretch within reason. The best manufacturers of stretch marks, according to experts, are Salamander, Salton and Kiwi.
Sprays Anticolor
Shoe care involves using an anti-color spray, which will protect socks and other clothing from being dyed by shoe materials. Its composition forms a protective film on the inner walls of the shoe, thereby securing the pigment layer. The best manufacturers are Salamander, Sapphire and Collonil.
Sponges
In addition to cosmetics, consider other shoe care products, for example, compact-sized soaked sponges, which you should always have with you. The sponge, after a few simple manipulations, makes the shoes shiny and clean, its service life is 30-50 repetitions. The best sponges are those impregnated with silicone oils. The rating of the best sponges includes the brands Salamander (made of silicone), Salton professional (gel form), Smart, Silver and Vilo with dyes in their composition.
Polishes for patent leather shoes
An ideal and indispensable product for caring for patent leather shoes is a polish to protect them from cracks, give them shine and maintain their elasticity. The composition contains natural oils that prolong the life of thin patent leather. The best brands are Collonil, Lack Polish Niki Line, Sapphire and Lack Care Salamander.
Brushes
Another indispensable tool for maintaining the appearance and cleanliness of shoes is a brush with natural bristles. The bristles must be positioned with a certain distance between rows in order to easily remove the cream from the brush. The brush will be good if it is not cheap; experts recommend the following brands - a double-sided brush from Salamander, a Salton triple brush for nubuck shoes, or a Twist Casual Style Mini.
Erasers
If you plan to care for suede shoes, a dry eraser is ideal for such purposes. The product protects the structure of suede while removing various types of dirt. Cleaning does not damage the surface of even the thinnest suede or nubuck. For suede, nubuck or velor, an eraser from Complex Care Salton Professional is suitable, for cleaning velor - Solitaire, for suede and velor use Saphir, and for velor and nubuck - Collonil Nubuk Box.
Expert opinion
Helen Goldman
Male stylist-image maker
The main criterion for choosing a shoe care product is the material from which the shoes are made. Manufacturers separately offer cosmetics and tools for leather, patent leather, suede, velor, nubuck and textiles, taking into account the characteristics of each option.
Shoe care products made from different materials
You need to be extremely careful when choosing tools and cosmetics for shoes made of leather, textiles, membrane fabrics, etc. While some products are indispensable for skin care, they may be extremely contraindicated for suede shoes.
Leather
Leather needs protection from weather conditions, moisture, deformation and cracks. To do this you will need a brush and a soft cloth, cream and wax. To understand what care for leather shoes involves, you need to study the composition and principle of action of cosmetics:
- silicone products polish the skin;
- wax gives a glossy finish, protects against moisture and other external factors;
- the solvent removes dust;
- water-repellent agents based on fluorocarbon resins will prevent precipitation from penetrating deep into the material.
Shoe polish and fatty creams are ideal, especially in winter. In summer you can use solvents and silicone products. It is better to choose a brush made of horse hair, which will polish the skin perfectly.
Suede
Caring for suede shoes requires the use of a soft brush made of horse, metal or rubber bristles, and suede should only be cleaned when dry. A special shampoo for suede and professional cleaners can help with cleaning. Liquid soap is also appropriate; after cleaning, it is removed with a damp cloth. If velvety suede is expected, you can use brushes with rubber teeth or hard porous sponges. In autumn and winter, a suede pair of shoes is lubricated with a water-repellent spray.
Do you know how to care for suede shoes?
YesNo
Nubukova
To choose a care product for nubuck shoes, you need to understand that this material is most susceptible to moisture. Care for this material should be taken as follows:
- a spray is applied to the shoes that increases resistance to moisture and a spray that maintains the color of nubuck;
- every day, shoes are cleaned of dirt by applying protective impregnation, color restoration spray, after which the shoes are dried (soft brushes and non-fabric napkins are used);
- to remove grease, use an eraser or simply hold the shoes over steam, after which they are cleaned with a brush with rubber teeth;
- grease stains are removed with starch and water, applying the gruel to the stain until it dries, after which they clean everything with a brush.
Nubuck is the leather of cattle; shoes made from it look expensive and elegant with a smooth but slightly velvety surface.
Varnished
To care for patent leather shoes so that the glossy coating does not crack, does not scratch and remains just as rich, you need special products. Shoes should be cleaned daily from dust and dirt with a damp sponge, polish should be polished with castor oil or glycerin, and water-based cosmetics should be used. The main thing is to stop using a brush.
Textile shoes
The list of products for textile shoes is much wider and more economical in price. Care involves two stages - cleaning and drying. This can be done using the following recommendations:
- dirt is cleaned with a coarse brush;
- insoles and laces are washed separately;
- You can wash your shoes with soap, powder or gel;
- You can wash it no longer than 7 minutes, so as not to soak the seams and gluing areas;
- You can wash it in warm water, at the end lightly squeezing it with the palms of your hands;
- dry the shoes upside down to drain the liquid;
- You can dry it with special inserts to prevent fabric deformation.
Textile shoes do not require the use of creams, gels, fatty oils and dyes. The only thing that is appropriate is a water-repellent spray.
Folk shoe care products
Folk remedies that are appropriate for leather and suede shoes can help in caring for your shoes. In the first case, you can resort to the following tips:
- You can remove salts from leather shoes with a vinegar solution (1 teaspoon of water and 3 teaspoons of vinegar), after which the shoes are lubricated with cream;
- You can remove stains and salts with a slice of lemon by wiping the surface of the shoes, which have been previously cleaned of dirt and dust;
- Castor oil guarantees the same effect by rubbing the surface of the skin with it several times until spots and stains are completely removed.
If you need care for suede shoes, traditional methods will be as follows:
- shoes should be held over steam and then combed with a brush;
- the suede is sprinkled with semolina, which absorbs moisture and salts, after which the suede is cleaned with a special brush;
- Nubuck shoes are cleaned with soapy water, after which you need to dry them well naturally.
Care should be taken every day, as often as a pair of shoes is worn. And experts advise a man to have at least two pairs of shoes in his arsenal for the season, so that during cleaning and drying he will have something to replace these shoes with.
Conclusion
Shoes are not just a necessary wardrobe item to protect your limbs from weather conditions. It is also an important item of image and style, which requires careful approach and daily care. Care involves cleaning, drying, and treating with cosmetics. You need to choose them taking into account the characteristics of the materials from which the shoes are made.
The Rendez-Vous shoe and bag care service consists of free care master classes conducted by the company's specialists in Rendez-Vous stores throughout Russia. Bring your shoes or bag and we'll show you how to properly care for them!*
THE UPCOMING MASTER CLASSES WILL BE HELD IN RENDEZ-VOUS STORES:
- MEGA Belaya Dacha(Moscow, 1st Pokrovsky Prospect, 5).
Period: - Fashion Season (Moscow Gallery)(Moscow, Okhotny Ryad st., no. 2).
Period: from November 27 to January 12. Thursday-Sunday from 10.00 to 22.00. - Metropolis(Moscow, Leningradskoe sh., 16a, building 4, Sector 10-03).
Period: - Chocolate(Moscow, MKAD 2 km, no. 2).
Period: from November 27 to January 12. Wednesday-Sunday from 10.00 to 22.00.
*One pair of shoes (both new and shoes with history) or a bag purchased in Rendez-Vous stores is accepted for restoration and cleaning. Shoes and bags made of textiles, nubuck and suede are not accepted for cleaning. The service is provided free of charge to all Privilège card holders and is provided on the condition that the product is added to the card.
Rules for conducting master classes on care
If you have just bought shoes, we will carry out the initial treatment and tell you what and how to care for them.
If you brought your shoes with you, we will clean them and repair them if necessary. The master will tell you and show you how to properly care for your shoes in the future.
If you come to the store wearing shoes that require care, we will conduct the master class on a special chair, where you can sit comfortably and watch the cleaning and care process. Your shoes will be transformed right on your feet!
We use Avel cosmetics for skin care. Since the 1920s, the company has produced a line of professional care products under the Saphir brand, 100% made in France from natural ingredients. The line includes shades and compositions for exotic, finely tanned and finely colored leathers.
Choosing shoe care products
If you are a lover of good shoes, then you undoubtedly know that they need good care. This article will focus on quality shoe care products. Shoes made exclusively from smooth leather. Suede, nubuck, dermantin, patent leather shoes are a completely different topic.
Of course, initially, leather was not intended to at some point become a material for making shoes. And the most natural state for it, which allows it to retain its properties, is to cover the body of an animal. In this state, the skin receives various nutrients and everything it needs. Thanks to this, it remains elastic and durable, and even has the ability to recover.
The skin that is removed from an animal is devoid of all this. It will retain its properties for some time, but without proper care it quickly loses its properties. Caring for leather shoes has two purposes. Preserve its properties, as well as give it a beautiful appearance. Unfortunately, not many people really take care of their shoes. For many, care is limited to using a wet cloth to remove dirt. Others use tubes of cream and a sponge. There are also those who use cream, which is sold in any shoe store as a related product. For the most part, this is all that Russian offline offers. The best of the presented products are a couple of products from SALAMANDER. Here is a simple arsenal of such tools:
This “maintenance” of shoes takes no more than 5 minutes. However, this is not at all what the shoes need. Personally, my desire to take good care of her only arose when I started buying quality shoes.
So, what does leather need that has become your favorite pair of shoes? Much depends on the time of year and operating conditions. However, regardless of all this, the skin needs the nutrition that it previously received from the animal itself. These are various fats and other components of metabolism. Without this, the skin dries out and cracks. In extreme cases it looks like this.
Even women sometimes use various moisturizing creams to keep the skin on some parts of the body soft and elastic. Various oils and fats are used for shoes. As a rule, it is believed that oils are intended for more favorable operating conditions, and fats are intended for aggressive environments and more severe conditions. The oils look like ordinary machine oils. It has a pleasant smell and is quickly absorbed by the skin. You can apply a few drops directly to areas of the skin. Then they need to be ground. I prefer to do this with two fingers, some use a cloth or a brush.
When all the shoes have been treated with oil, you need to give them time to dry. You can then repeat the process again. Fat can be used in a similar way. It is thicker, but absorbs just as well when rubbed. I use fat for winter shoes, due to the abundance of reagents on the roads and low temperatures. This treatment, regardless of oil or fat, nourishes the skin. It becomes soft, does not crack from drying out and acquires water-repellent properties. Important reminder: If your shoes are not black, they will darken slightly after this treatment.
You cannot buy such protective equipment in our stores. True, there are several online stores selling shoe cosmetics, but most often the choice is limited to a couple of manufacturers. One of which is invariably French SAPHIR (I have nothing against it). As always, there is a large selection with a lot of offers from American manufacturers. For example, here are the oils
Here are a couple of examples of shoe grease.
Here is a video to show you how to properly apply the product to shoes.
There are other manufacturers of similar protective equipment. By the way, production is usually “made in USA”. It is enough to carry out this treatment 1-2 times a year. At the beginning of the season, the same can be done at the end. This allows you to minimize the impact of the environment on the leather of your shoes. It also makes it much easier to remove dirt and prevents getting wet. Even if you accidentally step into the mud, it won't take long to remove it. Most often, it is enough to rinse with tap water.
However, this is not all your shoes need. By the way, I will say that I practically do not use creams, neither colored nor colorless. Manufacturers of high-quality shoes dye leather so that the dye penetrates deep into the leather, and small scratches do not disturb the color. Although if more serious damage has occurred, or there is a need to restore color, the use of a colored cream may be justified. And most likely even necessary.
For everyday care and beauty, you can use shoe conditioner. They also have protective properties. But they are intended for regular care. However, it is not necessary to apply it every day. Or after every shoe wear. I do this as needed. Conditioner is a cream-like liquid. Apply directly to the shoes and rub with a high-quality brush, and finally add shine with a piece of cloth.
A few words about brushes. It must be horsehair too. The vast majority of Chinese brushes are made of synthetic materials. Hair falls out, and they also cannot rub the product evenly and smoothly. Naturally, one brush is not enough. You definitely need to have a small brush to clean the stitching areas of the sole and upper leather part. Here are good manufacturers of shoe brushes. These brushes are thick and their bristles are very soft.
I also use leather wax. It has high water-repellent properties. If oil and fat largely protect the internal structure of the skin, then wax remains on the surface in a thin layer. Moisture and along with it salt and other reagents do not penetrate and do not destroy the surface of the skin. I think wax is especially necessary in winter. This is worth mentioning separately. Surely this picture is familiar to everyone.
I generally hate these divorces. But removing them with a wet cloth will not solve the problem. Salt crystals have already penetrated deep into the skin. And sometimes, having removed the stains with water, after drying the picture repeats. This is especially noticeable on suede shoes. But even if it was possible to remove the salt, the skin is already damaged. I can’t show you a photo of this, but on closer inspection you can see it. It changes color and no longer looks like a smooth, monochromatic material. The boundaries of salt stains will be clearly visible. And this is where wax comes to the rescue. It is applied with a shoe brush or a piece of cloth. It covers the surface with a thin layer. After which it is easy to polish it with cloth, which will give it shine. However, it is important to try to avoid contact with an aggressive environment. Try not to mix snow porridge on the sidewalks. For salt, with prolonged contact, will corrode the wax, and then the skin. To protect shoes from reagents, the best results are achieved by prevention using fat, as well as applying wax to the surface. If you come from the street where your shoes came into contact with reagents, be sure to wash them under water. Do not leave your shoes unwashed until the morning. Otherwise, the salt will do its job, and no means will protect your shoes. If the salt has done its job, then this product can remove it.
However, this will not restore damaged skin.
There are many more different means. These include creams and various skin impregnations. Each manufacturer tries to present their product in a special way. Although many of them are not very different from each other. There is no need to write about all this in detail. Of course, if you are a fanatic about shoe care, then you probably know a bunch of other wisdom on this topic. However, for most this will be unnecessary.
Which stores are worth visiting? Naturally, this is only the USA and Europe. No China. In addition, stores with inexpensive delivery to the Russian Federation are especially interesting. Unfortunately, these funds are not cheap anyway. And with expensive delivery, their use becomes completely expensive. Most stores do not ship outside of the US at all. Here is a pleasant exception. Excellent store with a good selection and inexpensive delivery
There is another way to purchase shoe care products relatively inexpensively. When I buy any product without direct delivery to the Russian Federation, I use intermediaries, I can add 1-2 funds to the package. This will not affect the shipping cost much.
Here is an educational video from a famous shoe maker. An example of regular shoe care.
So you should pay enough attention to shoe care. Of course, if you bought it at the nearest KARI store, then there is no need for this. These shoes will not save anything)) However, if your shoes are from the “MADE IN USA” category or something similar, then be sure to get good products for caring for them. Then the shoes will serve you for a long time and will delight you with their appearance.
Modern shoes are very capricious. If it is constantly exposed to water, dust, dirt and temperature changes (and there is no other way), then it can quickly become unusable. Or rather, you can still wear the shoes themselves, but they will look pretty bad. To prevent this, experts recommend proper care at least twice a week. Otherwise, in a month or two you will have to buy a new pair at a shoe store. And shoes, as you know, today have a fairly high cost. What exactly is proper care for modern shoes, we will tell you in this article.
Among the elementary rules, we would like to note the prohibition of removing a shoe from one foot using the other. As for the donning process, the use of a horn is highly recommended. However, these are small things compared to what truly proper care involves, which includes cleaning, drying and scrubbing. Additional measures include polishing and impregnation, which we will also discuss below. website
1. Shoe cleaning
If your shoes are very dirty after going outside, it is recommended to rinse them with cold water within a minute after you enter the room. That is, dirt should not be allowed to dry on the surface. By the way, washing should be quick so that the shoes do not get wet. If the contamination is not too severe, you can clean it with a brush, or wipe the surface first with a damp and then with a soft, dry cloth. Under no circumstances should leather shoes be washed in a washing machine, especially using any detergents containing chlorine bleach.
Suede and nubuck are very difficult to clean. It is recommended to do this in an extremely dry condition. Dirt is removed using special iron or rubber brushes. They will help you ensure that nubuck or suede shoes look neat and fuzzy. If the dirt is on the heel and sole, it can be removed with a damp flannel.
2. Drying shoes
If the shoes are wet, it is recommended to dry them at room temperature. It is strictly forbidden to dry shoes on a radiator, as well as using other heating and heating devices. In order for shoes to retain their shape, they must be stuffed with paper when wet, or special spacers must be used. If you do not want the dried shoes to harden, lubricate the surface with Vaseline immediately after drying. After a couple of hours, apply additional shoe polish and rub with a brush.
Heavily wet leather shoes should initially be wiped dry with a soft cloth. Felt boots are dried at high temperatures, but not more than 90 degrees. For felt shoes, the maximum is 50 degrees. We recommend buying two pairs for one season. This will help you dry the raw material naturally, in room conditions. As for rubber shoes, they are an isolated space inside, as a result of which the insoles must be thoroughly and regularly washed, and the shoes themselves must be disinfected from the inside. By the way, to the question of insoles. If you wash your insoles regularly, you can really extend the life of your shoes, boots, boots, and more.
3. Shoe cleaning
Shoes should be cleaned immediately after going outside, and not before leaving the house, since dried dirt can become embedded in the fabric. If you use a special product for care, carefully read the instructions for its use. Gels, creams and other cleaning products are applied with a sponge or brush. In this case, the surface must be dry. The product is evenly distributed over the entire surface, after which you need to wait from 5 to 30 minutes (depending on the product) until the composition is absorbed and completely dry.
Since the cream does not disappear during use, after using the product several times, you need to wash your leather shoes with warm soapy water in order to get rid of old layers of cream. In addition, this will allow you to clean your shoes from dirt that was hidden under the cream. It is not recommended to wet leather shoes frequently. In winter and autumn, leather shoes should be lubricated with cream every day. Frequent lubrication will extend the life of your winter boots and also help them maintain their elasticity and softness. Remember that a high-quality cream must have water-repellent properties, which is additional protection against premature aging.
If you have different colored shoes and want to apply different products to different areas, you can use an old toothbrush to do this. Light-colored shoes are cleaned with special colorless creams. It is not recommended to use products such as Vaseline, sunflower oil and baby cream for lubrication. Especially if the skin is soft. Using these products will cause your skin to become dull.
It is recommended to clean shoes made of suede or nubuck using aerosols, impregnations, rubber bands and creams designed specifically for shoes made of nubuck and suede. The manufacturers themselves insist on this. Once the dirt is removed from the surface, wipe it with a suede cleaning stone, or treat it with a special product. After this, let it dry and “comb” in one direction. Remember that it is not recommended to clean suede shoes with water, as the material may deteriorate. Make it a habit to treat your suede shoes with a water-repellent treatment once a month for added protection.
If shiny areas are found on suede shoes, they can be restored with fresh white bread crumbs or table salt. It is also recommended to use the “sulfur” surface of a new matchbox. You can straighten the lint on suede using steam from boiling water. Just hold the shoes over the pan for a while. If the suede is brown, you can use coffee grounds to clean it. Once the grounds are dry, all that remains is to simply wipe with a dry brush. If your black suede shoes are very worn, you can improve their appearance by smoking them over a candle.
Shoes made of textiles and synthetics are cleaned with a soft sponge. Sports synthetic shoes are suitable for hand washing with warm water (about 35 degrees), using laundry soap and a soft brush. After the shoes are washed, they must be thoroughly removed from the cleaning composition by rinsing. If you find the appropriate label, you can wash it in a washing machine, but only on the delicate cycle. Synthetic and textile shoes should not be washed using detergents containing chlorine bleach.
Plastic colored boots can be cleaned with Vaseline, which will help protect them from cracks and acquire a beautiful shine. Black satin shoes are cleaned with a cotton swab, which must be soaked in natural coffee. If we talk about felt boots, they are cleaned with sandpaper and a stiff brush. Shoes made of felt are cleaned with bran, talcum powder or dry sawdust. Patent leather shoes are treated with Vaseline, and if they are not used for a long time, they should be stored in old stockings. If you want to freshen up old leather shoes, rub them with orange zest or milk and turpentine. If leather shoes are too dry, warm water will help restore their elasticity. Keep the shoes in water for a while, then wipe them dry, lubricate them with glycerin and stuff the inside with paper to maintain their shape. Rubber shoes are rubbed with glycerin or refined sunflower oil.
If the shoes are new, and you want to give it shine, wipe its surface with a piece of lemon, then treat it with a piece of velvet cloth. If you don't want your feet to sweat or, God forbid, to become covered with fungus, periodically treat the inner surface with a disinfectant.
As for caring for the sole, you will have to use special products for soles or regular oil to lubricate its surface. This will help the sole remain resilient at all times, which, as you can imagine, will dramatically increase its durability. Sole treatment is especially recommended after walking in heavy rain.
4. Polishing shoes
Shoes are polished to give them a bright color and shine. For polishing, you can use special soaked sponges, aerosols, wax, creams, etc. Apply the product to the shoes and then polish with a brush. As for the brush, ideally it should be made of natural bristles. After brushing, use a polishing cloth, which can be purchased at a shoe or fabric store. To ensure perfect polishing, you can use water during the process. A small amount of water is applied to the polished shoes, spread with cream, after which a cotton cloth is taken and the shoes are rubbed in a circular motion. For greater comfort, wrap a piece of cloth around your finger. At the end of the procedure, remove small particles from the surface of the shoe with a soft brush. This will help achieve maximum shine.
5. Impregnation of shoes
Shoes are impregnated so that they acquire water-repellent properties. As a consequence, the impregnation agent must also be water-repellent. Make sure your wax, gel or shoe polish is labeled as such.
6. Shoe storage
Storing shoes can be either short-term (everyday) or long-term (seasonal). In the first case we are talking about storage between daily wear, and in the second case we are talking about storage between separate seasons.
In addition to temporary classification, shoe storage is divided according to the conditions and method of storage into open and closed. Open storage involves the process of keeping them either in special boxes or simply on the floor. Closed storage involves the use of cabinets, mezzanines or closed boxes.
Before sending shoes for long-term storage, it is necessary to prepare them accordingly. This is the only way to achieve storage efficiency and safety. It is best to store in places away from sunlight and moisture. Remember that ultraviolet radiation can trigger the oxidation process in elements, especially if they are made of polymer materials. Thus, artificial rubber becomes covered with a hard crust when exposed to sunlight, rubber can crack, and plastic can age.
Moisture has the most negative effect on shoes. Thus, boots made of synthetic and natural rubber may lose their elasticity if stored for a long time in a humid environment. Genuine leather shoes also change their properties. When storing, it is worth considering not only sun and moisture, but also the biological environment, which includes living organisms such as mold and insects. Particularly harmful is mold or mildew, which causes significant destruction. Natural shoes can be completely damaged by moths or carpet beetles. Fortunately, getting rid of all these living creatures can be quite simple. It is enough to periodically ventilate the places where your shoes are stored. By the way, everyday storage requires separate drying of insoles, which must be removed.
To ensure that your shoes, shoes and boots are stored in proper conditions, we recommend purchasing a special cabinet. Shoes can be stored here both daily and seasonally. To separate shoes according to storage conditions, there are separate sections. Such cabinets are made of wood or metal. The size of the closet is selected both according to the number of shoes stored and the available space in your apartment.
A shoe cabinet must have holes for good ventilation. If you don’t want to spend money on a closet, you can simply store your shoes in the hallway, on a rug, although this option is not suitable for a large number of shoes. If you have a desire, make a small cabinet with shelves from wooden blocks, chipboard, plywood and wire, the diagram of which can be easily found on the Internet.
If you are going to send shoes for long-term storage, use shoe boxes, cabinets or closed mezzanines for this. But do not forget that shoes need to be prepared before storage. How to do it? First of all, clean it of dirt, wash it, dry it, rub it with a special product, and then ventilate it. To prevent an unpleasant odor from appearing inside, disinfect the inside of your shoes using disinfectants or a cotton swab soaked in vinegar essence. In the latter case, you need to place the tampon inside your shoes, and wrap the shoes themselves in a plastic bag and tie it tightly. After 12 hours, remove the shoes from the bag and remove the cotton wool. You can combat unpleasant odors using potassium permanganate or hydrogen peroxide. Cotton wool soaked in these products should be used to wipe the inside of the shoe. There is no need to leave the cotton inside, as in the previous case.
Shoe zipper repair
Evgeniy Sedov
When your hands grow from the right place, life is more fun :)
Content
Every day, shoes are exposed to a variety of factors: precipitation, slush, reagents, etc. They quickly render shoes or boots unusable, but even the most impractical pair will retain their original appearance if properly cared for. Proper care means, first of all, special products for shoes, which it is better not to skimp on.
What are shoe care products?
They mean products that are specifically designed to give shoes a beautiful appearance and extend their service life. In other words, this is a kind of shoe cosmetics, which today can be ordered in a specialized online store with delivery by mail. Depending on the form and manufacturer, its composition may include solvents, coloring components, wax, animal fat, etc. Manufacturers offer a choice of the following products:
- creams;
- sprays;
- impregnation;
- restorative paints;
- sponges;
- brushes;
- erasers.
Water repellents
Precipitation causes severe damage to textile, leather and suede materials, and buying expensive boots will practically not change anything. You can correct the situation by choosing a suitable water-repellent composition. If you buy cheap water repellents, they simply form a protective film on the surface of the product, due to which the pores become clogged and a person’s feet will not “breathe”. It is better to choose a high-quality composition that covers each pore with a protective layer, reducing the diameter, but without compromising air permeability. Water-repellent shoe care products are available in the form of:
- impregnation;
- spray;
- cream.
Impregnation
It is a type of product that protects shoes from the penetration of dirt and water into the depth of the material. Impregnation can keep shoes or boots in proper shape and protect your feet from dampness. When choosing it, you need to take into account the weather and type of material. The best impregnation for shoes is silicone - thanks to it, water simply drains from the surface of the product, and the protective film is evenly distributed over it without blocking the air exchange. The effect is achieved after 8-9 hours, so treatment is carried out in the evening. Popular impregnation options:
- Salton. Products for water protection of smooth leather, nubuck, suede and fabric. Provides long-lasting protection. Not suitable for patent leather. Price – 189 RUR/300 ml.
- Salamander Professional Universal SMS. High-quality water-repellent impregnation that effectively protects suede, leather and textile products from moisture and dirt. Apply to a previously cleaned, dry surface. Price – 400 RUR/250 ml.
- Saphir Invulner. Impregnation in the form of a colorless aerosol, extending the service life of footwear products and preserving their original appearance. The highly active Scotchgard 3M fluorinated resin in its composition provides a durable water-repellent effect. Price – 675 RUR/250 ml.
- Tarrago HighTech Nano Protector. A universal impregnation, nanoparticles of which cover the fibers and form a protective layer on the surface of the product, making it hydrophobic. Price – 599 RUR/250 ml.
- Stroke "Protection". Water-repellent spray impregnation, suitable for footwear and clothing. Provides protection from dust, dirt, moisture, and protects against the formation of salt stains. Does not disrupt the structure of the material, maintaining its breathability and elasticity. Price – 219 RUR/300 ml.
- Nikwax Fabric & Leather Spray. Composition for imparting water-repellent properties to shoes using fabric-leather combinations. Suitable for products with membrane. Does not change the appearance of a pair of shoes and does not soften the leather. Price – 470 RUR/125 ml.
- DiviDick. Colorless water-repellent impregnation in the form of an aerosol that prevents the formation of water and oil stains. This is an excellent protection for shoes from dirt, moisture and snow. Price – 137 RUR/250 ml.
Water repellent spray
A real salvation for shoes or boots made of different materials is a hydrophobic shoe spray. A high-quality product of this type will protect boots from the effects of snow, slush and reagents, especially since the spray is very easy to apply compared to cream. Its water-repellent composition will preserve the whiteness of white boots and the intensity of color on colored items, protect the leather from deformation and suede from getting wet. True, the spray has a pungent odor. Known variants:
- Niki Line Anti Rain. Universal spray for deep impregnation of footwear products and care based on fluoride. Suitable for smooth leather, textiles, fur, nubuck, velor, suede. Price – 256 RUR/200 ml.
- Salamander Universal SMS. Water-repellent spray for smooth leather, textiles, suede. Prevents the formation of salt, water and snow stains. Not suitable for patent leather. Price – 239 RUR/300 ml.
- Ecco. A universal version of a water-based fluorine-containing compound water-repellent spray. Suitable for products made of suede, nubuck, textiles, smooth leather. Does not affect breathability. Price – 499 RUR/125 ml.
- Collonil Nano Pro. An innovative spray with nanoparticles designed for deep impregnation and care of footwear. Activates the color of the material, protects against fading, dirt, moisture, and salt stains. Price – 1140 RUR/400 ml.
- Kiwi AquaStop. Helps protect boots, shoes and other similar products from stains and water. Has an improved formula. Due to the high concentration of pluropolymers, it forms an invisible water-repellent film. Price – 221 RUR/200 ml.
Cream
Water-repellent leather shoe cream is an essential tool for caring for expensive boots or shoes. Its use is especially necessary in autumn or winter, when shoe products are exposed to precipitation and chemical reagents. A high-quality cream with a water-repellent effect can renew color, protect and keep the skin elastic and soft, giving it shine. Known products in this category:
- Salamander Professional. Transparent cream for all types of smooth leathers, which renews the color and intensively nourishes leather products. After application, you need to wait until the composition dries and then polish. Price – 299 RUR/75 ml.
- Kiwi Express. Black cream that reliably protects boots or shoes from dirt and water. He is able to return it to its original appearance. The composition is enriched with high-quality waxes, which nourish and add shine to the boots. Suitable for both natural and artificial leather. Price – 114 RUR/50 ml.
- Collonil Waterstop tube. A water-repellent version of the cream, suitable for the care of all types of smooth skin. Helps protect the product from salt stains and deep contamination. Contains wax and almond oil. Price – 593 RUR/75 ml.
For nutrition and polishing
The materials used to make footwear tend to dry out. For this reason, they require food. For this purpose, you can use cream, balm, lotion, conditioner. It is better to apply the product not with a sponge, but with a special brush (non-rigid) or a piece of cloth. After the material has dried, you need to start polishing. For this purpose, polishing wax, which has water-repellent properties, is widely used. Nutrition and polishing products will help maintain the original appearance of boots for as long as possible.
Cream
The offered shoe creams are thick (based on organic solvents) and liquid (emulsion). The first ones are best used in bad weather. They are suitable for products made of thick genuine leather. The latter are most effective in the warm season. They contain fewer solvents, which are replaced by water. Liquid shoe polish is ideal for an elegant pair of shoes made of thin leather. Compared to oily, thick formulations, it has a lower level of protection, but it provides long-lasting shine. Popular options:
- Collonil Nano Cream. An innovative product with nanoparticles. Cares for footwear, protecting them from deep dirt. Contains beeswax. Has a pleasant smell, suitable for Hi-Tech materials. Price – 546 RUR/50 ml.
- High Shine Niki Line. Liquid cream-gloss for smooth skin. Nourishes, maintains its elasticity and at the same time protects from drying out. Sold in a bottle with a sponge. Price – 410 RUR/75 ml.
- Salamander Wetter Schutz. Cream with natural beeswax, intended for the care of smooth leather products. Intensively nourishes, renews color and keeps the material soft and elastic. Adds extra shine. Has water-repellent properties. Price – 149 rub./100 g.
- Kiwi Shoe Polish. Designed for the care of smooth leather products. The composition contains a unique wax from Carnauba palm leaves, which provides intensive care, nutrition, protects against water, and gives lasting shine. Sold in a metal can. Price – 55 rub./60 g.
- Kari. Helps restore the original color and adds shine without polishing. Contains palm wax. Available in black and brown colors. Price – 99 RUR/75 ml.
Wax
On sale in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities there are products for the care of women's and men's shoes in the form of wax. If you impregnate the material of the products with this composition, it will help them survive the vagaries of the weather and maintain an impeccable appearance. Shoe wax softens and cares for natural leather, protecting it from damage. The components included in the composition will protect the boots from drying out and give their surface smoothness and shine. High-quality wax can replace two leather care products at once: cream, water-repellent spray. A few examples:
- Saphir Amiral Gloss. Polishing polish, which contains hard waxes, fats, and oils. Created specifically to give a pair of shoes a mirror shine. Before polishing, it is recommended to thoroughly clean the surface with special creams. It can be black or colorless. Price – 700 RUR/50 ml.
- Saphir Pate de Luxe. Polishing wax that is ideal for high-gloss polishing of footwear products. It is a complex of mixtures based on carnauba wax, turpentine, beeswax and other components. Deeply impregnates leather material, renews color, softens, gives intense shine, water-repellent properties. Price – 550 RUR/50 ml.
- Saphir Mirror Gloss. Polishing polish based on waxes, oils, resins. Gives boots, shoes and other items shine. Available in black. Price – 1400 RUR/75 ml.
For leather shoes
To protect leather boots or shoes from scuffs and other deformations, you need to know the rules for caring for them. The minimum kit should include wax, cream, brushes of different hardness, and a soft cloth. The first is needed to increase moisture resistance, the second - nutrition, restoration of color, the third and fourth - cleansing from dust, applying cream and polishing. Additionally, you can purchase shoe deodorant, softening and stretching spray, paint in spray form or in a dispenser. It would be a good idea to study the composition of shoe cosmetics:
- wax protects against external factors, provides well-grooming and a glossy effect;
- oils can restore freshness to the appearance;
- silicones polish the surface;
- Solvents remove dust;
- Water-repellent products are made based on fluorocarbon resins.
Fat creams, or shoe polishes, are considered classics of care. Due to the oils and fats they contain, such products provide intensive care for leather boots, boots, and shoes - this is especially necessary in the winter season. In summer, you can give preference to products based on silicones or solvents. For example, silicone shoe polish is a good choice. You can nourish a leather pair several times. For polishing, use a horsehair brush, nylon stocking or suede cloth.
For suede
Shoe care products made from suede are no less varied than those made from leather or other materials. Suede must be cleaned with a special brush with horse, rubber or metal bristles. It is necessary to clean the surface from dirt and dust after it has dried, otherwise all the dirt will rub into the suede boots. Other useful tips:
- A good choice would be a shampoo for suede shoes or a professional cleanser that will remove heavy dirt, streaks, and stains without leaving a halo. For convenient application, the set may include a brush.
- Alternatively, you can use liquid soap. Clean suede boots with the solution carefully. After this, wipe their surface with a napkin: first a little damp, then dry.
- For cleaning velvety suede surfaces, hard porous sponges and brushes with rubber teeth are suitable.
- When buying a pair of suede shoes in winter, it is recommended to treat them with a special water-repellent compound. This will make it easier to wipe off traces of salt or dirt later.
For varnished
Taking care of leather shoes with a patent leather surface is a very difficult task. The glossy finish can crack and fade, causing the shoe's appearance to suffer greatly. To extend their service life, follow the recommendations:
- Clean it daily from dust and other contaminants using a soft, damp sponge or disk soaked in milk;
- periodically polish with castor oil, glycerin or petroleum jelly - this approach will help maintain the glossy varnish layer for as long as possible;
- to enhance the glossy shine, you can periodically treat genuine leather models with a little beaten egg white;
- use specialized products for the care of footwear of this type (water-based), because ordinary ones can disrupt the structure of their pores, as a result of which boots or shoes lose their shine;
- Do not use a brush to wipe the varnished pair.
For nubuck shoes
Nubuck refers to a material made from cattle leather that has a soft, velvety surface. Compared to suede, it is sensitive to moisture and has greater rigidity and less hairiness. Shoes made from it have a pleasant gloss. Daily care rules:
- After purchasing, before wearing, you need to do the first treatment. For this purpose, use sprays that increase moisture resistance and fix color. It is recommended to apply three times, allowing the first layer to dry completely.
- Everyday care includes removing dirt, protective impregnation, color restoration, drying. These procedures must be carried out carefully so that the pile does not stick together and is not pulled out. Use non-woven cloths and soft bristled brushes. Using a special cream, apply the composition to a sponge and blot the surface with it. To restore the color of nubuck, use an aerosol.
- If your nubuck boots are greasy, use a suede eraser or hold them over steam. In this case, the pile will rise, then straighten it with a brush with rubber fingers.
- To remove grease stains, you can use starch mixed with a small amount of water. Apply the mixture to the stain and leave until dry, then remove the residue with a brush.
There are a number of care products for shoes made of textiles. Among them there are many economical and affordable options. Caring for fabric footwear involves cleaning and drying. It is not necessary to dry-clean your sneakers, ballet flats, or moccasins if you follow a few tips:
- Dirty areas can be cleaned using a rough brush - even an old toothbrush will do.
- Be sure to remove the laces and insoles, because... they need to be washed separately.
- Wash your ballet flats or slippers with water and detergent. For this purpose, use soap, gel, powder and other suitable types of products.
- The approximate washing time is no more than 7 minutes. Textile footwear should not be soaked.
- Wash only in warm water. Squeeze out excess water by squeezing the fabric lightly.
- You need to dry it so that the moisture flows out and does not accumulate in the heel or toe.
- When sushi, use special inserts. They will prevent deformation of the fabric material.
How to choose shoe polish
Rubber pairs or leatherette products do not require much money and time to care for, because they can simply be lubricated with vegetable oil or glycerin. Other materials require more attention. When choosing a suitable shoe polish, rely on the type of material: it can be a product for leather shoes, suede, patent leather, etc. The cost of products, depending on the composition, volume and popularity of the brand, ranges on average from 50 to 200 rubles. Useful tips:
- Fatty and dense creams based on organic solvents can form a waterproof film and protect a pair of shoes from the negative effects of frost, wet snow, and moisture. They are used for rainy weather and cold seasons. They consist of animal fat, wax, solvent and coloring matter, but when choosing a thick organic cream, do not forget that they have a strong odor.
- Water-based or emulsion cream is ideal for the warm season. It contains less solvents, because they are partially replaced by water. A liquid product acts more delicately on the surface of boots or shoes than a thick product. This cream should be purchased to care for expensive dress or elegant women's shoes. It has a lower level of protection against moisture, but products in the form of an emulsion can give natural leather a bright, lasting shine.
- There are products based on wax, alcohol and containing turpentine. The first option has almost no odor - it is used for a pair of shoes made of thin, soft leather. The second option has a corresponding alcohol smell, but cleans the shoe well. You need to be careful with this product, because... it can destroy the protective layer of the material. The third option has a strong smell. It is used exclusively for everyday shoes.
- There is a special line of special products for suede shoes, because... regular cream is not suitable for caring for this delicate material. They are often produced in the form of aerosols - a light emulsion with protective, tinting and caring properties.
- If you are looking for a product for patent leather shoes, then look for a note on the product packaging that it is intended for the care of patent leather. This cream is often labeled Vernis rife, Lack, Polish. It will restore and maintain the shine of the varnish without damaging the surface of the material.