Polishing Shoes
Polishing and Cleaning Tips for Your Leather, Suede and Nubuck Shoes
From LifeWire
Love shoes? Chances are you’ve got a fair amount of money sitting in the bottom of your closet. Shoe care -- cleaning and polishing -- is the best thing you can do to protect your investment and extend the life of your footwear.
What You Need for Polishing Shoes
Only a few items are necessary to keep your footwear in tip-top shape:
* Natural bristle brush
* Old toothbrush
* Wax or cream polish
* Soft cloth or rag
* Newspaper or an old sheet
Polishing Leather Shoes
Select a polish that matches your shoe color. Polishes that contain dyes, pigments, wax and conditioning agents keep footwear looking fresh, add shine and cover scuffs. They are available as liquids, pastes and creams. Although liquid polishes, with their foam applicator tops, are easiest to work with, shoe repair experts recommend the protection and conditioning offered by creams and pastes -- liquid polishes can dry out shoe leather and cause cracking.
Remove the laces. Use a brush or damp cloth to clean dust or dirt from the shoe, heel and sole. With a soft cloth, apply a small amount of polish in a circular pattern. An old toothbrush is useful for getting polish into small or tight areas. Place the polished shoes on newspaper or an old sheet to dry. When the shoe is dry, usually after about 15 minutes, brush with a natural bristle brush, then buff to a shine with a clean rag. If you are polishing several pairs of shoes, be sure to use a different brush and rags for each color of polish.
Cleaning Suede and Nubuck Shoes
Shoes with a nap, such as suede or nubuck, can’t be polished. According to the Shoe Service Institute of America, preventive maintenance is the key to keeping these types of shoes in top shape. After purchasing a pair of suede or nubuck shoes, you’ll first want to apply a protectant to repel water and stains. However, repellant only lasts for a while, so you’ll need to reapply it periodically. Gently brush suede and nubuck footwear to remove loose dirt and restore nap on a regular basis. If you own a pair of oiled nubuck shoes, you may also want to apply conditioner to preserve them. Stains should be treated immediately with a solvent-based suede cleaner. If they prove hard to remove, take the shoe to a shoe repair professional.
Caring for Athletic Shoes and Sneakers
Athletic shoes with fabric or suede uppers and trim can be cleaned the same way you clean your suede or nubuck shoes. Special sneaker shampoos, used with brush applicators, do a good job of cleaning stains and dirt from leather sneakers. Cover scuff marks with matching polish. Sneakers made from canvas, such as Converse All Stars, can be washed by hand using a toothbrush, mild soap and water.
MY THOUGHTS
i love beautiful shoes. i don't love cleaning them. but because i love these beautiful shoes i will have to make a habit of cleaning them.
Showing posts with label caring for shoes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label caring for shoes. Show all posts
Friday, November 5, 2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Are your Beautiful Shoes Water Damaged? Here's What To Do
Water-Damaged Shoes
How to Save Your Shoes From Water Damage
By Craig Playstead, About.com Contributing Writer
Whether you get caught in a downpour or a three year old throws your favorite shoes into a swimming pool, at some point your shoes will have water damage. The important thing is to know how to save your shoes from water damage. It can be done.
Take these easy steps and you have a great shot at making sure your favorite pair of boots or loafers live to walk another day.
1. Cleaning the Insoles of Shoes Damaged by Water
The first thing you want to do when your shoes have water damage is to remove the insoles (assuming your shoes have removable insoles). If you think they can take a spin in the washing machine then give it a shot, but if they're just wet, hang dry them in the laundry room. Never put them in the dryer though. We don't want any direct heat on any part of the shoes.
2. Removing Dirt and Mud from Water-Damaged Shoes
The next thing you need to do is to remove any dirt or mud. Take a stiff brush and clean everything off of them. If it's mud, you might have to dab and then wipe them down with a rag first, and then really use the brush to get inside of the nooks and crannies. Especially where the leather meets the sole. That is a prime area that dirt and residue will gather.
3. Dry Soaked Shoes with a Newspaper
After you have them somewhat free of any dirt or grime, get a newspaper. Wad up smaller pieces and then stuff your shoes full. Yes, even use the sports page -- don't be bashful. The newspaper will draw out any moisture in your shoes and attempt to save them. Again, we don't want any direct heat on any part of the shoe so don't put them over a heater or in the dryer. It will dry out the leather and lead to cracking and ruin the shoe.
Now, have a little patience and let your shoes dry on their own -- they'll be good as new in no time. If you have sneakers that are really dirty and nothing else works, I've been known to throw them in the washing machine for a spin. I figure a good pair of running shoes has one good wash in them.
If you have nice leather or suede shoes, make sure you are protecting them with a suede or leather spray before going out into any harsh weather. That will make cleaning and getting them back to normal a snap.
MY THOUGHTS
i thought throwing my sneakers in the washing machine is pure laziness. i feel so much better i'm not alone. it works, you know.
How to Save Your Shoes From Water Damage
By Craig Playstead, About.com Contributing Writer
Whether you get caught in a downpour or a three year old throws your favorite shoes into a swimming pool, at some point your shoes will have water damage. The important thing is to know how to save your shoes from water damage. It can be done.
Take these easy steps and you have a great shot at making sure your favorite pair of boots or loafers live to walk another day.
1. Cleaning the Insoles of Shoes Damaged by Water
The first thing you want to do when your shoes have water damage is to remove the insoles (assuming your shoes have removable insoles). If you think they can take a spin in the washing machine then give it a shot, but if they're just wet, hang dry them in the laundry room. Never put them in the dryer though. We don't want any direct heat on any part of the shoes.
2. Removing Dirt and Mud from Water-Damaged Shoes
The next thing you need to do is to remove any dirt or mud. Take a stiff brush and clean everything off of them. If it's mud, you might have to dab and then wipe them down with a rag first, and then really use the brush to get inside of the nooks and crannies. Especially where the leather meets the sole. That is a prime area that dirt and residue will gather.
3. Dry Soaked Shoes with a Newspaper
After you have them somewhat free of any dirt or grime, get a newspaper. Wad up smaller pieces and then stuff your shoes full. Yes, even use the sports page -- don't be bashful. The newspaper will draw out any moisture in your shoes and attempt to save them. Again, we don't want any direct heat on any part of the shoe so don't put them over a heater or in the dryer. It will dry out the leather and lead to cracking and ruin the shoe.
Now, have a little patience and let your shoes dry on their own -- they'll be good as new in no time. If you have sneakers that are really dirty and nothing else works, I've been known to throw them in the washing machine for a spin. I figure a good pair of running shoes has one good wash in them.
If you have nice leather or suede shoes, make sure you are protecting them with a suede or leather spray before going out into any harsh weather. That will make cleaning and getting them back to normal a snap.
MY THOUGHTS
i thought throwing my sneakers in the washing machine is pure laziness. i feel so much better i'm not alone. it works, you know.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
How to Care for Your Shoe Collection
How to Care for Your Shoe Collection
Services of a modern cobbler go way beyond the classic shoe shine.
By Elizabeth Larkin, About.com Guide
I know a very wealthy man--we’re talking private jet owner here--who hasn’t purchased a new pair of shoes in a decade. He gets them shined regularly, and once a year he takes them to the cobbler where they are re-soled, re-lined, cleaned and back in fighting form within two days.
A good cobbler can transform your shoes into something that very closely resembles “new.” Before you buy a new pair of shoes, consider the services a cobbler can offer:
Basic Shoe Repair:
•Replace heels and soles
•Install a protective outer sole
•Replace or repair inner sole (tip: Don't repair, just replace the insole!)
•Cleaning and reconditioning
•Stretching – this is key for people, like me, who have one foot slightly larger than the other.
High Heels:
•Repair the heels
•Recover a heel in new fabric (suede, leather, etc.)
Boots:
•Waterproof the outside
•Stretch or tighten the shaft
Beyond the Basics:
In addition to the basics, a “luxury” or “upscale” shoe repair outfit may offer the following services:
•Change a wide heel into a stiletto
•Additionally, can widen a stiletto into a traditional heel
•Lengthen or shorten straps on your strappy sandals or sling backs
•Have shoes dyed to a new color (tip: Many women do this to their wedding shoes.)
If you're not sure where to find an upscale cobbler ask around at the most high-end stores in your area. My friend Meghan, a confirmed fashionsita on a budget, once needed a pair of J Crew pants hemmed. She asked the store and they sent her to their own tailor who works independently at a store front in her neighborhood. Score!
TIP: Once you get your shoes back, don’t expect them to fit exactly the way they previously did; think of them like new shoes you need to break in.
MY THOUGHTS
i've been planning on doing this. just need to find the time and take the trip to a really good shoe repair shop.well, at least for the basic shoe repair. i don't about water proofing and beyond the basics. worth checking out.
Services of a modern cobbler go way beyond the classic shoe shine.
By Elizabeth Larkin, About.com Guide
I know a very wealthy man--we’re talking private jet owner here--who hasn’t purchased a new pair of shoes in a decade. He gets them shined regularly, and once a year he takes them to the cobbler where they are re-soled, re-lined, cleaned and back in fighting form within two days.
A good cobbler can transform your shoes into something that very closely resembles “new.” Before you buy a new pair of shoes, consider the services a cobbler can offer:
Basic Shoe Repair:
•Replace heels and soles
•Install a protective outer sole
•Replace or repair inner sole (tip: Don't repair, just replace the insole!)
•Cleaning and reconditioning
•Stretching – this is key for people, like me, who have one foot slightly larger than the other.
High Heels:
•Repair the heels
•Recover a heel in new fabric (suede, leather, etc.)
Boots:
•Waterproof the outside
•Stretch or tighten the shaft
Beyond the Basics:
In addition to the basics, a “luxury” or “upscale” shoe repair outfit may offer the following services:
•Change a wide heel into a stiletto
•Additionally, can widen a stiletto into a traditional heel
•Lengthen or shorten straps on your strappy sandals or sling backs
•Have shoes dyed to a new color (tip: Many women do this to their wedding shoes.)
If you're not sure where to find an upscale cobbler ask around at the most high-end stores in your area. My friend Meghan, a confirmed fashionsita on a budget, once needed a pair of J Crew pants hemmed. She asked the store and they sent her to their own tailor who works independently at a store front in her neighborhood. Score!
TIP: Once you get your shoes back, don’t expect them to fit exactly the way they previously did; think of them like new shoes you need to break in.
MY THOUGHTS
i've been planning on doing this. just need to find the time and take the trip to a really good shoe repair shop.well, at least for the basic shoe repair. i don't about water proofing and beyond the basics. worth checking out.
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