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.
One important and easy thing to do is to simply rotate them. Doing so will give them the chance to air out and let the moisture dry. Along this line, how you store them is also important. The original box they came in is a good place to keep them. However, if you live in a humid climate a shoe tree will work better.
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.
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.
You will also need some basic items to keep them clean. Saddle or oil soap, a specialty cleaner, and a dry cloth are a must. You can use your horsehair brush to help get dirt, mud, and alkaline off. For scuff marks, gently rub an eraser or non-gel toothpaste on then brush 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.
One important and easy thing to do is to simply rotate them. Doing so will give them the chance to air out and let the moisture dry. Along this line, how you store them is also important. The original box they came in is a good place to keep them. However, if you live in a humid climate a shoe tree will work better.
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.
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.
You will also need some basic items to keep them clean. Saddle or oil soap, a specialty cleaner, and a dry cloth are a must. You can use your horsehair brush to help get dirt, mud, and alkaline off. For scuff marks, gently rub an eraser or non-gel toothpaste on then brush 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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