As you know, shoes can tell a lot about their owner: about his social status, character, profession, and attractive appearance and appearance - about his emotional state. Therefore, it is important for every person to know the answer, how to care for shoes.
There are a wide variety of cosmetics and shoe care products made from natural (suede, leather, varnish, etc.) and artificial materials. They will help to carefully clean your shoes and maintain their presentable appearance. The main thing is to choose them correctly and remember the technique for each type of material.
How to clean leather shoes
In addition to an ideal appearance, well-cleaned shoes and subsequent care guarantee their protection from moisture and dirt, and therefore contribute to a longer service life. This is especially true if you purchase expensive shoes with the expectation that you will enjoy them for many years.
What you need for shoe cleaning and aftercare
To carry them out you must have:
- brush - regular and small (for hard-to-reach places);
- wooden spacer or paper (for filling shoes);
- soft sponge;
- special detergents to add to water;
- softening conditioner;
- cream;
- a clean cloth (to remove excess care product);
- polishing cloth.
@HiConsumption
Shoe cleaning steps
We recommend that you do not wait, but clean your leather goods after coming home from the street. Dust and other contaminants left to dry are absorbed into the material.
Stage 1 - preparation
It consists of removing unnecessary “spare parts” - laces, insoles. They are looked after separately. After this, you should insert a wooden spacer into the shoe or use crumpled paper.
Stage 2 - dry cleaning
Before starting the so-called water procedures, you need to dry clean with a special brush. For hard-to-reach places, you need to use a special small one with a handle (sold in specialized stores) or an old toothbrush.
Reference. A shoe brush can be called the main cleaning tool. It’s better not to save money and buy a product made from natural horsehair. It has all the necessary characteristics to clean thoroughly without damaging the material.
Stage 3 - washing
For wet care of leather shoes, we recommend using soft sponge and water with the addition of special soap products. Well-known brands include Tamaris, Reno Mat, Avel Detacheur Hussard. Washing gels are convenient to use; they penetrate inside the pores and remove dirt and old polish.
Stage 4 - Mitigation
This is done using a special conditioner that is applied to a piece of fabric. Then the shoes are rubbed in a circular motion. The procedure should be performed infrequently - once a week or even less often. After it is completed, you need to wait about 20 minutes.
Stage 5 - applying cream
Before covering the surface with cream, you should wait about ten minutes for the shoes to dry. It is applied in sufficient quantities, in a circular motion, evenly distributed over the surface. After it becomes matte, you should wait another 10 minutes.
Stage 6 - polishing
Now it's time for polishing. It is carried out with a brush - it is necessary to move the tool from side to side with sharp movements. This must be done until the shoes begin to shine.
Then use a polishing cloth. It is necessary to moisten it and wipe the shoes in a circular motion.
Stage 7 - lacing
The last step is to put the laces and insoles back in place. You can use your shoes again after 15–20 minutes.
Reference. I don’t want to carry out such a long procedure every day, and sometimes I don’t have time. To shorten the process, do not unlace the shoes, wipe them one by one with a damp cloth (while the second shoe is being processed, the first one will already be dry), cover it with cream and polish it with a brush.
Features of cleaning shoes made of artificial leather
Products made from substitutes are more difficult to damage than natural ones. Therefore, you can use the entire existing arsenal of products to care for them. Regular wet wipes are quite suitable for removing dust. To ensure that your favorite pair remains presentable for a long time, we recommend following the basic principles for cleaning genuine leather products - using a brush, wiping with a soft damp sponge and using appropriate cleaning gels.
How to clean patent leather shoes
To keep these shoes shiny, use a soft sponge or cotton swab. Wipe the surface and dry with a napkin.
Important! Do not press on the material, this will ruin it.
Afterwards, treat with professional polishes for patent leather, for example, Lack Polish from Salamander, SALTON Saphir Vernis Rife or Twist Casual Care wax.
@DHgate.com
If you don't have a professional product at hand, use plain egg white. Combine it with a teaspoon of sugar, beat until smooth. Apply an even layer to the surface and polish with a soft cloth.
Features of caring for shoes made of suede and nubuck
Suede and similar materials have a high degree of elasticity. Therefore, the shoes are durable and help keep you warm and protect your feet from dampness.
For cleaning, use brushes that are made taking into account the characteristics of the material. These shoes cannot be washed.
Special foam, for example, from the brands SALAMANDER, SALTON, Tarrago or the more budget-friendly Dividic, will help deal with dirt. Shake the can and apply a small amount of product to the surface to be cleaned. Let it dry. Wipe off any residue and repeat the procedure if necessary. Foam not only removes dirt, but also refreshes the color.
Reference. To make the cleaning process easier, you can hold your shoes over the steam of a boiling kettle. This will straighten the pile and make it easier to get rid of dust.
Clean your favorite pair after each time you come in from outside. If contamination penetrates deep into the material, it deforms it.
How to care for fabric shoes
Many textile owners wash their shoes in the washing machine. Use this method to remove only heavy stains. Use a gentle temperature regime, wash in a special mesh bag.
Decorative elements, inserts made of natural or artificial leather, and other materials are not intended for washing machines.Do not forget to first remove the accessories: insoles, if they are removable, and laces.
Use special cleaning products or laundry soap, and a sponge or an old toothbrush as a handy tool. Once the dirt is removed, place the shoes on a horizontal surface and dry.
Hand washing is a more complicated procedure, but safe. Before starting, remove additional parts (laces) and get rid of dust with a brush. Further:
- fill the basin with warm water, add tbsp. l. soda;
- thoroughly clean the sole with a washing sponge - it is better to do this without immersion;
- drain dirty water and pour in clean water;
- add 2 tablespoons of washing powder or dish soap;
- Use a sponge or brush to remove dirt from the fabric;
- excess liquid is absorbed with an unnecessary piece of cloth;
- Before drying, shoes are filled with paper to maintain their shape.
Cleaning the inside of shoes
Most owners think about caring for the interior surface when an unpleasant odor occurs. It is a signal of the emergence of a favorable environment for the proliferation of bacteria that cause fungal diseases. It is recommended to use special UV lamps or electronic drying with UV radiation. They destroy odor and get rid of bacteria.
An equally effective product is a deodorant for the inside of the product, for example, SALTON, BioBeauty, Das Mineral brands. The product gets rid of bacteria and prevents their proliferation.
Video: how to clean shoes to a mirror shine
0
