Have you ever bought yourself an amazing pair of winter boots, rocked them for one winter and then had to trash them by the spring because of leaks and salt damage? Believe it or not, I have never really had to throw away a pair of shoes because they’re worn out. This could be because I have so many pairs that I don’t wear one pair long enough for them to get ruined, but I like to think it has a lot to do with proper footwear care! It’s important to take care of your shoes, especially if you’ve paid a lot for them, unless you need the “but my old ones are ruined” excuse to get something new. If you love the boots you’ve chosen for this snowy season however, and want to make them last, try out some of these quick and easy shoe care tips!
Keep ‘Em Clean
As sad as it is to think about, your sweet new boots are going to get dirty. It’s important to keep them clean of salt or other abrasive muck that you may stumble through now and then. The easiest way to do this is to have a rag or cloth that you keep by your door so that you can give them a quick wipe as soon as you take them off. This will help to keep the salt and whatever else might be on there from having time to start to corrode the material. If you want to make sure they’re really clean, you can also use some warm water and dish soap like me, or if they are suede, using a suede brush can work wonders!How To Use A Suede Brush : A suede brush works kind of like an eraser. Most will have a side with long hard bristles, and one with shorter rubbery ones. I prefer to use the side with the short rubbery ones unless there are some serious stains I’m working on. Use the suede brush like a toothbrush, and brush your boots, but make sure they are dry or that you’re using a suede specific cleaner. You can get yourself a basic suede brush almost anywhere they sell shoes!
Protect Them
Protecting your footwear can do wonders for their longevity, but it’s a shoe care step that people often forget! There are specific protective sprays and waxes for almost every type of shoe material out there, but investing in a spray can of something like Tana All Protector can save you from having to get something specific for each of your pairs of shoes. All Protector can be used on all materials, you spray it on your boots before you wear them, let it dry, and it helps with waterproofing and makes them stain resistant.Don’t Be Lazy
Finally, taking off your boots without untying them, or cramming your foot into them without untying them will eventually destroy them. You can stretch them out funny or you will damage the back of the heel, so try to remember if you want your footwear to last, that for the most part, if they have laces or zippers, they are meant to be used.
What Do You Think?
Are you planning on taking care of your footwear this winter? Have any shoe care tips we’ve missed that you’d like to share? Leave us a comment and let us know!
