How to Care for Shoes

You can add years to your shoes if you care for them properly. A little time is all it takes to save a considerable amount of money in the long run or walk. Follow these steps to make your shoes last longer.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Shoe polish
• Socks
• Shoe trees

1. Purchase shoes that are well-constructed and fit you well.

2. Alternate the shoes that you wear so that they don't wear out as quickly. At the end of the day let shoes air out before you put them in a closed closet.

3. Keep shoes clean and polished. Use a paste-based shoe polish that matches the color of the leather of the shoe. Apply polish to clean shoe. Rub around and buff to a shine.

4. Wear socks with your shoes to keep the insoles from getting worn from perspiration. Socks will absorb the perspiration so it doesn't reach the inside of the shoe.

5. Use shoe trees or shoe forms to maintain the original shape of the shoe. These are widely available at stores such as Linens and Things and The Container Store.

Tips & Warnings

• When you find a shoe that works especially well for you, try to purchase more than one pair so you have a back-up when the first pair begins to look worn.
• Have favorite shoes re-soled or re-heeled. It is much less expensive than buying new shoes and you already have the comfort factor worked out in the original shoes.
• Never wear new leather shoes or boots without weather-proofing them first. You will get stains that cannot be removed if you don't perform this task. It will also ultimately save you money.