Best Care for Python Bags and Alligator Shoes

The Best Care for Python Bags and Alligator Shoes
By CHERYL LU-LIEN TAN

Exotic skins like python, anaconda and alligator have become increasingly common in handbags and accessories. Generally more fragile than leather, these skins should be treated with special care, says Steve Dumain, co-founder of the high-end Be & D handbag label.

Mr. Dumain, who uses exotic skins in both his main and bespoke handbag and shoe lines, says he enjoys using skins such as eel or ostrich, because their unusual patterns can " add depth, richness and texture." The designer, who has a personal collection of more than 600 bags, shoes and other accessories in all sorts of leathers and skins, says that if the skin is natural or untreated, the first thing he does is apply a light coat of waterproof spray. "This will help reduce dirt and water marks, as well as help preserve the natural characteristics of the leather," he says. He usually uses Collonil Waterstop Spray but tests it on a small section of the item first—and is careful not to "soak the product" in it, which could ruin the skin.

Generally, he is careful not to expose exotic skins to direct heat or sunlight for long, which "may cause uneven fading to occur," he says. He also avoids putting his bags on rough or sharp surfaces, as exotic skins can scratch easily.

Exotic skins may dry out faster than leather. To prevent that, Mr. Dumain periodically applies a leather conditioner made specifically for exotic skins. Alligator and crocodile are less susceptible to drying and cracking than python and ostrich, "due to the shape of the skin and scales," Mr. Dumain says. "But all exotic skins need to be treated on occasion—every few months for snakeskin and less frequently for smoother exotic skins," he adds.

Before applying the conditioner, Mr. Dumain thoroughly cleans the surface with a damp rag. (Mr. Dumain avoids using household cleaners, which can be particularly damaging.) He puts the conditioner on a lint-free or microfiber cloth, not directly on the item, and applies several light, even coats, letting the leather dry between applications. With shoes, which face more wear and tear, Mr. Dumain will often use conditioner more frequently, depending on their condition.

It isn't necessary to keep items made of exotic skins in the bag they came in, but storing them in some type of bag or box can help preserve them. Mr. Dumain keeps them in a place that's cool, dark and dry, since moisture "can lead to mold." If he spills something on an exotic-leather item, he blots it gently and then uses a little warm water on the stain right away. Once he is home, he applies a professional leather cleaner made for suede, which is more delicate than leather.

While all this care may sound like a lot of work, Mr. Dumain believes it has a long-term payoff. "Your exotic skins have the ability to last for many, many years—even decades," he says. "So take the time to give them the attention."

MY THOUGHTS

i'm not a fan of animal skin.  i've had a few pieces but nothing i bought myself.  ostrich and eel?  well, have you seen those wallets made out of frog skins? yikes!

do you know what shoe trees are?

Shoe Trees
Types, Benefits and Uses of Shoe Trees
By Desiree Stimpert, About.com Guide

What are Shoe Trees?
Shoe trees are inserted into shoes to help maintain the original shoe shape, help prevent creases and cracking, and absorb moisture from the lining of the shoes. Available for men's and women's shoes, a shoe tree usually adjusts to cover a wide range of shoe sizes.

Types of Shoe Trees Available
Shoe trees are available in plastic or wood (usually cedar). The main benefits to plastic shoe trees is that they are less expensive, and they are lightweight, making them good for travel.

However, even though they are more expensive, cedar shoe trees have several advantages over plastic. They tend to last longer; add a clean cedar scent to footwear; and work better at keeping the natural shape. Cedar shoe trees also absorb moisture, whereas plastic shoe trees will not.

Shoe Trees Help Maintain Shoe Shape and Size
If used from the start, shoe trees can slow, or even prevent your shoes from developing creases, making them particularly useful for dress shoes.

If shoes are not worn for long periods of time, they actually shrink, using a shoe tree in these shoes will help to prevent shrinkage.

Shoe Trees Help Prevent Moisture Buildup
Feet perspire, and that moisture accumulates in the lining of our shoes. Wooden shoe trees also have the additional benefit of absorbing moisture, making the shoes more comfortable to wear.

Additional Benefits of Shoe Trees
Shoe trees are also useful when polishing or buffing. By inserting a shoe tree into the shoe you're working on, the shoe will be held in shape, and caring for them will be easier.

Shoe Trees vs. Shoe Stretchers
Shoe trees can marginally stretch shoes, but usually only very slightly. This will work for shoes that are just a touch too tight. If you're looking to stretch shoes, a better product to use would be a shoe stretcher.

MY THOUGHTS

if you're still wondering what a shoe tree is, just google a photo.  i think i should go hunting for the cedar ones.  especially for the high-end shoes (which are few, anyway) that i'd like to be able to use for a long time.   no wonder, shoes sometimes do not fit after staying in the closet for a very long time.  i thought my feet are getting bigger (which is possible because of weight gain. duh!).  let's see how much these cedar show trees would cost.  they might be more expensive than the shoes!!!

Caring for Beautiful Leather Shoes

Caring for Leather Shoes - The Benefits of Proper Shoe Care
How to Take Care of Your Smooth Leather Shoes
By Desiree Stimpert, About.com Guide


Care of leather shoes is not just about making your shoes look good, which would be reason enough to take care of them. It's also about preserving and adding to the life of your leather shoes.

Whether you spend a lot on your shoes, or don't have much to spend, taking care of your leather shoes makes sense.

In the case of designer, or more expensive shoes, look at it as though you're protecting your investment, or what could be a future collectible.

And if you don't have a lot to spend on shoes, keeping the ones you have in great shape will remove the need to buy new shoes for every occasion.

Why Caring For Leather Shoes is Important
Without proper conditioning and care, leather can dry out until it eventually cracks and falls apart, and you'll no longer want to wear them out of the house - even if they did cost a small fortune

While some people are content to throw on a coat of shoe polish when their shoes start to look shabby, to really protect your leather shoes and keep them looking their best, there are four steps to follow.

    * Clean
    * Condition
    * Polish
    * Preserve or Weatherproof

There are important distinctions between caring for smooth leather shoes and caring for suede, exotic skins, nubuck, or athletic shoes. The following general instructions pertain to caring for smooth leather shoes, such as men's or women's leather dress shoes.

In the next section, we'll address products for smooth leather shoe care, and how to prepare for a shoe cleaning session.

Most of the products you'll use for leather shoe care can be found at general stores, shoe stores and shoe repair shops. If you are nervous about working on your own shoes, of course, any shoe repair shop will be happy to clean, polish and condition your shoes for a price.

To do a full and thorough session of leather shoe care, you'll want the following items. Be sure the products you buy are recommended for smooth leather shoes.

    * Newspapers
    * Gloves
    * Soft Cotton Cloths or Rags
    * Soft Shoe Brush (optional)
    * Smooth Leather Shoe Cleaner
    * Leather Conditioner for Smooth Leather Shoes
    * Shoe Polish, or a Shoe Polish Alternative
    * Leather Protectant (Waterproofing Product)

The following pages will discuss these items in more detail, but it is most important that you follow the instructions that come with the products you buy, and be certain to only use products designed specifically for the materials of your shoes. i.e. Do not use these instructions or a product made for smooth leather to clean suede shoes!

Before you begin, you'll want to make sure to you're prepared for the shoe care process. Work on top of newspaper, wear gloves, and work in a well-ventilated area. These precautions are essential, as many shoe care products contain toxic chemicals that can be very harmful - more information on this in the shoe polish section of this article.

http://shoes.about.com/od/shoe_care/a/c_leather_shoes_2.htm

Cleaning Smooth Leather Shoes
Remove dirt by cleaning with a leather cleaner made specifically for smooth leathers. You can use saddle soap or a smooth leather shoe cleaner.

Shoe cleaners come in gels, foams, sprays, liquids and creams. Many leather cleaners come with an applicator top, or you can use a soft shoe brush to aid in removing dirt from the surface of the shoe. This will also help to remove dirt from any cracks in the shoes.

After cleaning, let the shoes dry for a few minutes and begin shining the shoes with a soft cotton cloth - either a shoe shine cloth, or even an old t-shirt, as long as it's soft and made of cotton.

Conditioning Leather Shoes
Conditioning your leather shoes will help soften and moisturize the leather, and protect it from drying out and cracking. Certain types of leather, and shoes worn in dryer climates might need to be conditioned more often.

Some shoe cleaning products will clean and condition your shoes, but if you want your shoes to get the full treatment, or used a product specifically for cleaning, the next step is to condition your smooth leather shoes.

Of course, you'll want a conditioner made for the specific type of shoe you're working on. Also, look for a natural conditioner that is absorbed into the material of the shoe, as opposed to a synthetic conditioner that sits on top of the surface.

Rub small amounts of conditioner into the shoe, until the entire shoe has been covered with conditioner. After a couple of minutes, wipe any remaining conditioner off of the shoes, as the leather will only absorb what it can.

http://shoes.about.com/od/shoe_care/a/c_leather_shoes_3.htm

As I was looking for certain shoe polish products, I was surprised to find warnings that shoe polish contained toxic chemicals and could actually be considered very dangerous.

While I know most of us have had shoe polish around the house for years, probably without any problems, the warnings I found were of enough concern to me that I wanted to share the information with all of you. Below is more information about the toxicity of certain shoe polishes, as well as alternative and traditional polishing instructions.
Toxicity of Shoe Polish
Certain shoe polishes contain toxic chemicals that can be absorbed through the skin and or inhaled (read more at the epa web site).

It is essential that if you use shoe polish, you wear gloves when doing so, do not drink alcohol while polishing shoes (it can increase the effects of certain chemicals), and keep all shoe polish out of reach of children and animal companions.

If used, shoe polish should be used in a well-ventilated area, and all of the product shoud be used, with any residual being discarded or given to someone who will use it.

When disposed, shoe polish needs to be handled as a hazardous househould substance. Rags or clothes used that come in contact with the shoe polish should also be immediately discarded.

While some shoe polished claim to be non-toxic, most do not list their ingredients, so it is impossible to know that they are truly free of dangerous chemicals. While it is better to avoid shoe polish if possible, if this is not practical for you, and you do feel the need to buy commercial shoe polish - please use the necessary precautions.

Alternatives to Using Traditional Shoe Polish
Take your shoes to a shoe repair shop to have them cleaned and polished for you.

Rub your smooth leather shoes (not suede or nubuck) with the inside of a banana peel (test this method first on a small spot of the shoe), then buff and shine with a soft cloth or rag.

Olive oil or walnut oil works for smooth leather as well. Work a small amount into shoe, and polish with a soft cotton cloth. Again, try this method in an inconspicous spot before using the oil on the entire shoe.
Polishing Your Leather Shoes with Traditional Shoe Polish
Shoe polishes are available in liquid, cream or paste. Liquid shoe polish dries quickly, but is not readily available in a lot of colors and does not last as long as the other options. Shoe polish paste is the longest lasting, but is very messy and slow to work with. Shoe polish cream is a great compromise, and is available in lots of colors.

Of course you'll need to get the appropriate color of polish for you shoes. You can find a variety of shoe polishes at shoe stores, shoe repair shops and general stores, although you won't find a large variety of colors at the latter. There are also several places on the web where you can find shoe polish. For example, George's Shoes sells several different colors and types of shoe polishes.

Apply the polish to a small, less conspicous area of the shoe to test and be sure the color is right.

Rub the polish into the shoe with a soft cloth, and allow it to dry thoroughly.

After the shoe polish is dry, shine your shoes by buffing them with a soft cloth or brush made specifically for shining shoes.

http://shoes.about.com/od/shoe_care/a/c_leather_shoes_4.htm

Weatherproofing your leather shoes will help to protect them from water and other elements that can ruin the finish and shorten the life of your shoes.

The Right Protectant for Your Shoes
Different weatherproofing products serve different purposes, so you should choose wisely. For example, if it is essential that your shoes are waterproof because you spend a lot of time in wet or messy conditions, and a pretty finish is not as is important, a beeswax product would be a better choice than a protective spray.

Beeswax products form a protective layer over the surface of the shoe or boot instead of being absorbed into the leather. This provides a better barrier against water, but the additional layers can alter the appearance of the shoes.

If the appearance of the shoe or boot is of more importance than the weatherproofing properties, a spray protectant should do the trick. By providing a breathable barrier against mild to moderate wet conditions and dirt, this type of weatherproofing product is virtually invisible on your shoes or boots.

Joe's Shoe Service sells a large variety of waterproofing products including those for smooth leather, suede or nubuck.
Additional Tips for Leather Shoe Care
# If your leather shoes have a lot of old polish buildup, you may want to use a pre-cleaner.

    * Don't try to use shoe polish to change the color of your shoes. If you need your shoe color changed, consult a shoe repair shop.

    * Remove any laces before beginning. Laces can be cleaned separately or replaced if they are in really bad shape.

    * The next time you buy a pair of leather shoes, condition them before ever wearing them. This will help insure that your shoes are best protected from the start, and will save time on future cleanings.

http://shoes.about.com/od/shoe_care/a/c_leather_shoes_5.htm

MY THOUGHTS

that is something i need to try - cleaning leather shoes with the inside of a banana peel.  if this works, i'm sure this will work with bags, too.  or anything leather for that matter.

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.

caring for shoes

Caring for Shoes

By Vicki Lansky

Clean white baby shoes by rubbing them with a raw potato, liquid nonabrasive cleaner, or alcohol before polishing. Or apply toothpaste with an old toothbrush, scrub gently, and wipe off. Let shoes dry before polishing.

Spray newly polished white baby shoes with hair spray to pre-vent polish from coming off.

Use baby wipes to remove black marks from white shoes.

Remove gum from the bottom of shoes by putting them in the freezer. Scrape the gum off when it's frozen.

Make white canvas shoes white again by washing them and polishing them with white shoe polish. Let them air-dry.

To keep the soles of shoes from being stained with polish, paint the edges with clear nail polish.

Use hair spray on stains on tennis shoes. Spray, leave for a few seconds, and wipe with a soft cloth. Or try toothpaste and a toothbrush or a soapy scouring pad. Use bleach or lemon juice in the rinse water if the shoes are white. Even foam bathroom cleaner can be effective on leather sneakers.

Spray new sneakers with Scotchguard fabric protector to keep dirt from becoming embedded. Grass stains and mud will come out easier. Spray after every wash.

Clean the bottoms of children’s tennis shoes by using an old toothbrush or potato scrubber. Rinse under warm water.

Dry out wet tennis shoes overnight by placing them on their sides in front of the refrigerator. The fan should produce constant warm air to dry them.

MY THOUGHTS

Hair spray to clean beaurtiful shoes? or toothpaste? or baby wipes? why not? sometimes i use alcohol. not that effective. the best way is to clean the shoes immediately - before the shoes hit the shoe cabinet or shelves or whatever.