How to Clean and Care For Your Shoes

With proper care and cleaning you can extend the life of your shoes and avoid the expense of replacement.

Shoes are an important part of our ability to function. We use them for work, exercise, dancing and sports. Shoes receive more wear and tear than any other piece of clothing we own, and in some cases are more expensive than the clothing we wear. The more activities and harsh environments our shoes are put through, the sooner they will need to be replace. You can extend the life of your shoes and prevent the need for purchasing new ones by understanding how to properly clean and care for your shoes.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Leather conditioner (optional)
• Shoe polish (optional)
• Shoe tree

1. Limit the amount of daily dirt buildup to prevent damage to the natural pores surface of the material. Wipe your shoes with a cloth after each day of wear. You may also use a shoe brush to remove dirt build-up. Use a mixture of vinegar and water to remove gum other sticky material. Wipe or brush the shoe gently to not create scratches. Apply only the amount of pressure needed for the type of material the shoe is made from.

2. Protect the soles of shoes from cracking and breaking. Follow manufacturer's care instructions for the shoe type, as soles are made from different materials, though most are made of rubber and leather. Apply sealer to rubber soles and leather cream to leather soles. Apply sole protecting rubber to the existing sole. Purchase sole protecting products and soul protecting rubber from your local shoe store or online.

3. Condition your shoes. Purchase a shoe conditioner that is appropriate to the type of material your shoe is made from. Apply mink oil on leather shoes to keep the leather from drying out and return it to its natural color. Apply conditioning shoe polish to shoes made from plastic material, using the correct polish color. Avoid excessive use of shoe polish, as too much can create an unnatural looking build-up.

4. Store shoes in the original boxes they purchased in if possible. Shoes should be kept in a cool dry location that will prevent moisture damage. Place cedar shoe trees or shoe shapers inside your shoes when storing. Shoe trees made of cedar will prevent the shoe from loosing its proper shape and absorb moisture. Purchase an extra pair of shoes and store the other. Avoiding excessive wear of your shoes will extend the life span of your shoes.

References

• Austin Taylor: Why Use Cedar Shoes
• Room Cleanup: Shoe Cleaning Tips
• NuShoe: Shoe Care Tips