Keep Them Clean Maintaining cleanliness is crucial, especially for leather shoes, as moisture can damage leather and cause it to lose its shape. Regularly dust your shoes with a soft cloth or shoe brush. For tougher dirt on the soles, use a stiffer brush and follow up with a damp cloth.
Avoid Washing Machines While it might be tempting to throw your shoes in the washer, this can shorten their lifespan. The washing cycle and detergents are harsh on shoe materials, potentially leading to faster wear and tear or loosening of eyelets and stitches. Instead, hand scrub your shoes promptly to prevent dirt buildup.
Use Dry Papers Stuffing your shoes with newspapers offers multiple benefits: it reduces odors, helps dry out wet shoes, prevents dry rot, and maintains their shape.
Avoid Direct Sunlight Prolonged exposure to sunlight can make leather brittle and fade its color over time.
Rotate Insoles If your shoes come with removable insoles, it’s a good practice to rotate them to keep the interior fresh. Clean the insoles with a diluted tea tree solution, which acts as a natural antibacterial agent and leaves a pleasant fragrance.
Protect Your Soles Soles endure the most wear, so it’s essential to safeguard them. Using a sole protector can extend the life of your shoes. Consider having rubber soles added by a shoe repair shop to protect the original soles and improve traction. If your soles are already worn, consider resoling rather than discarding the shoes. Leather soles, in particular, are better suited for indoor use and should be resoled to extend their longevity.
Wear Shoes Properly Sliding into shoes without unlacing them can damage the heel collar. Use a shoehorn to help your feet slide in easily, and ensure laces are properly loosened before removing your shoes to prevent damage.
By following these steps, you can significantly extend the lifespan of your shoes and keep them looking their best.