In a world of fast fashion, it’s everyone’s responsibility to try and get more out of the clothes that you wear. For me, I’m not someone who buys into fast fashion, and what I have in my wardrobe is a range of relatively new items to clothing I’ve owned for 3+ years. Footwear is something that can often be more of a challenge though to keep in good condition because it experiences the most impact and contact with the ground. That means your shoes are likely to get damaged sooner unless you make the effort to look after them. Here are five tips for taking care of your footwear.
*This is a collaborative post.
Consider Weather Conditions
Weather conditions are something you want to pay attention to because if you’ve got a certain material that the shoe is made out of, it might not be something that deals well with rain or snow, for example. Open-toe heels are going to end up getting very dirty if you’re traipsing them through a muddy field. It’s good to always take a look outside and perhaps see what the weather is forecast for the day. By knowing what weather you’re dealing with, you can then plan your footwear accordingly. There are going to be occasions where you have no choice but to wear footwear that might get damaged. But the more prepared you can be, the better it will be for your shoes.
Wet weather is always something you want to be conscious of and if possible, try to avoid anything other than water-resistant footwear. Eventually, your footwear will succumb to weather damage but it’s good to be cautious where you can.
Keep Them Dry
Shoes, for the most part, like to be kept dry. Even those materials that are water-resistant, you want to keep dry. This is so it continues to keep the material in good condition. It also avoids any foul smells from forming. When keeping your shoes dry, it’s good to practice this as soon as you get into the house from the outside. Take whatever shoes you were wearing and dry them down with a cloth or kitchen towel. This will get rid of any surface moisture. It will also reduce the impact of damage to the inside of the shoe. You might also want to put them on top of a radiator or in a warm place within your home to completely dry out, rather than air-drying them.
Drying your shoes will help to keep them looking their best at all times, so try to stay on top of this. It’s worth keeping a towel within reach so that when you step through the door, it’s the first thing you do. Make sure you’re keeping this towel nice and clean though and not letting it become a dirty rag.
Apply Any Preventative Sprays Or Wax
Applying preventative measures to the footwear, means you’re going to help it last longer. It’s therefore worth applying any preventative sprays or waxes that you can find for your shoes. Each shoe though will be different when it comes to materials and so it’s good to patch test the spray or wax on the shoe before you go spraying the whole area. The last thing you want to do is damage your shoes, so it’s good to always test the product you’re using beforehand. This can be a small area on the shoe that’s not visible. Just in case it does react badly, it then won’t be visible.
A lot of brands that provide footwear will likely have recommended sprays or waxes, perhaps even their own branded products. It’s always worth getting it, especially if the shoes cost you a considerable amount of money. For me, anything over £100 warrants me to buy a preventative spray or wax to protect it. Taking care of your footwear can save you money!
Keep Them Clean
As well as keeping your shoes dry, you also want to keep them as clean as possible. When you’re out and about, you’re likely to get a lot of dirt and debris on the shoe, and sometimes, it’s important to remove this sooner, rather than later. The more delicate the material, the more at risk it might be of being damaged permanently. If you have dirt on your shoes, try to remove it as soon as you’re able. A damp cloth is always a good shout for removing any easy to shift dirt or stains. For those that are deeply embedded, you might want to look at putting them in your washing machine or soaking them in some sort of solution.
If you have any concerns or don’t know where to start, there’s likely to be plenty of information online. From those who were in the same position but managed to remove the stain or dirt. It’s a hub of information that will likely benefit your shoe collection greatly.
Take Them To A Cobblers
From sneaker repair work to fixing the soles of your most loved formal shoe, it’s always a good idea to take them to the cobblers. This can be a great way of getting your shoes fixed when it comes to damage that is beyond your expertise. It’s always worth taking your shoes to the cobblers because they might have a solution to fixing the damaged shoe. If it’s fixable, you’re going to save yourself some money, rather than having to spend more money on a brand new pair.
Cobblers have faded somewhat thanks to fast fashion and people simply chucking out their shoes when there’s any sign of damage. However, they still exist and can work their magic to make your footwear look like new!
How do you take care of your footwear? Let me know in the comments below of any advice you have when it comes to taking care of your footwear. I love hearing about different shoe hacks that my readers might have and that we can all benefit from.
*Disclaimer – This is a collaborative post with The Cobblers. All words are my own.
