A good pair of shoes is an investment - one that deserves proper care to ensure it lasts for years. But many people unknowingly shorten the lifespan of their footwear with common mistakes such as improper cleaning, drying and/or storage.
In this guide we will share some tips and tricks on how to maintain your footwear, and also highlight common mistakes to avoid. Whether you want to prevent wear and tear or restore a well-loved pair, these simple steps will make all the difference.
Clean After Use
Cleaning your shoes at least once a month will help to prolong their lifespan. Mud, dirt and bacteria can trap moisture in your footwear and cause soles to fall apart quicker, therefore effective cleaning will slow deterioration and extend the lifespan of your beloved footwear.
Use a brush to tackle any excess dirt on the shoe and afterwards begin hand washing using warm water and a cloth to clean the shoes inside and out, removing any mud, dirt or bacteria.
Before cleaning you can remove the insoles and laces as these will likely be machine washable.
Common Mistake:
A lot of people tend to put their footwear through the washing machine when they are really dirty. Do not make this mistake however!
You should never put your footwear through the wash, especially if leather or suede, hot or warm water cycles can distort the shoes shape, damage the materials and cause colours to run.
Leave to Dry
Moisture within your footwear can cause damage, therefore after cleaning your shoes you must leave them to dry. Moisture left within the shoe can cause shoes to become misshaped, soles to deteriorate, mold to grow, and leave marks and stains on your footwear.
After cleaning you should allow your footwear to dry in a ventilated area, without the assistance of heat. An effective way to speed up the process and prevent mould formation is to stuff your shoes with newspaper or a wooden shoe tree and leave them upside down to dry.
Common Mistake:
People often make the mistake of leaving their footwear to dry next to a radiator, however this can actually harm your shoes. Drying your shoes using a radiator or heater can cause the soles to crack, glue to melt, and seams to lose their flexibility.
Proper Storage
Before storing your shoes away you must first make sure they are properly dry.
Proper storage is also key to ensuring your footwear keeps in good condition. Footwear should be stored in a dry, temperature controlled environment, away from heat or sunlight. Exposure to sunlight and moisture can cause cracking, erosion and the eventual separation of your soles.
The original box the shoes came in and breathable plastic containers are always safe bets for effective shoe storage.
Common Mistakes:
Often people store there shoes in the shed, garage or basement. This is typically a mistake however, as these rooms are unlikely to have a controlled environment so your footwear may be affected by external elements such as humidity, temperature fluctuations, or exposure to dust and moisture.
Repairs - How We Can Help
At the Boot Repair Company we can prolong the lifespan of your footwear. Often the sole of a shoe will deteriorate quicker than the upper, and since 2020 we have managed to save over 100,000 pairs of upper material by either replacing the sole or repairing the upper material. Whether the uppers leather, suede, canvas, or any other material we can do it all and bring new life to your footwear.
Let us know how we can help you, we offer a variety of repairs on a wide range of products and brands, from reheels and resoles, to zip, eyelet, strap and stitching repairs, as well as a thorough cleaning and conditioning service.
Anything you need can be done, all through our easy to use, online repair service. Just book your repair though our website, send us your boots and receive them right back to your door refreshed and restored.
Visit our websites for our full range of repairs.
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