As a shoe lover, getting a new pair and wanting to wear them daily can be exciting. But if you want them to last, it’s essential to follow some specific steps and keep maintain your new shoe in good condition for as long as possible as new.
If you don’t store your shoes properly, they can get misshaped, leading to conditions like bunions. Data shows that around 35% of women over 65 suffer from bunions, a situation made worse by tight and improperly fitted shoes.
There are plenty of ways you can take care of your favorite shoes so that they stay looking great, and knowing how is half the battle. Moreover, the right shoes go a long way in keeping your feet in proper condition.
Store Your Shoes Properly
If you’re looking for a way to keep your shoes looking brand new, you can do plenty of things at home. In addition to storing them properly, you must keep them away from moisture and direct sunlight. Moisture can damage the leather and make it look older than it is. Sunlight will also cause discoloration over time.
Don’t place shoes in plastic bags. This will trap moisture inside your shoes and lead to mold growth. Instead, store them on shelves or racks where they’ll be exposed to air circulation. Hence, shoe racks have become an excellent way to store shoes. The shoe rack market is on an upward swing thanks to its efficiency. In the forecast period from 2021 to 2028, it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.50%.
Use a Shoe Cleaner Kit
To maintain the style and quality of your new shoes, cleaning them regularly is essential. The first step is to use a shoe-cleaning kit. These kits come with brushes and various cleaners, polishes, and waxes that will help you get rid of dirt, dust, and grime on the surface of the leather.
Clean your shoes with a brush first by brushing off any loose dirt or debris from the surface of each shoe before applying any cleaner or polish directly onto its exterior surface. Then apply some liquid cleaner onto a cloth rag before rubbing it over all areas with visible dirt on your footwear. Don’t forget about creases between the toes.
Finally, finish by polishing any streaks left behind by previous applications using another soft cloth dipped into a fresh polish solution. There are many shoe cleaner products available in the market. In fact, looking at the forecast numbers, new advanced shoe-cleaning products are expected to be available. The shoe care market is expected to grow from $5,405.2 million in 2022 to $9,628.2 million in 2033.
Trim the Tips of Your Nails
If you’re keeping your shoes in good shape, it’s essential to maintain the same quality of care for your nails. Nails can be as damaging to shoes as dirty soles or scuffed heels. They can also cause problems with how well the shoe fits when it comes time to wear them again. They may catch on and tear off pieces of leather that were once securely attached around their edges if they’re too long.
To trim your nails properly:
- Use clippers or a nail file
- Trim any hangnails with clippers so they don’t snag on anything else
Use a Waterproof Protector on New Shoes
If you’re looking to maintain that new shoe style, there’s one thing you should do, use a waterproof protector on new shoes. Waterproof protectors are available in spray or cream form and will help to keep moisture from soaking into the leather, which can cause it to crack and look worn prematurely.
To apply the waterproof protector, use a cloth and rub it across each section of your shoe until they’re all covered with the product. Then go over each section again with another clean cloth so that everything is evenly coated with the product. Finally, let those puppies dry before putting them back on your feet.
Polish the Leather Regularly
Whether you’re sporting a new pair of shoes or your favorite brogues, it’s important to maintain their look. One of the best ways to do this is by polishing them regularly.
Stick with a shoe polish specifically made for leather, as it will provide more protection than regular waxes or creams. Apply two thin coats of polish using an applicator brush and allow each coat to dry before applying another.
Pay special attention to areas like heels, sides, and soles where dirt can collect over time. You don’t want those spots getting too dirty. There’s also a way to make your own polish. You can use 12.9% white beeswax, 1.3% carnauba wax, 10.7% mango butter, 64.4% jojoba oil, and 10.7% oxides to make polish and apply it on leather to keep it looking brand new.
Hand Wash Your Canvas
As you have probably noticed, canvas shoes are not waterproof. Water can easily damage them, so it’s essential to take precautions when washing them.
Here are some tips for keeping your canvas shoes in good condition:
- Use mild soap and water to clean your canvas shoes. Don’t use harsh chemicals or solvents, as they will damage the shoe’s fabric.
- Use a soft cloth when cleaning your canvas footwear. You don’t want to rub too hard on the material and cause wear and tear faster than normal wear would do on its own over time.
- Don’t put them through the washing machine. This will ruin their shape forever. Just hand-wash them with warm water whenever needed.
Keep the Shoes Away From Moisture
Moisture can cause several problems for shoes:
- It may lead to cracking the leather.
- Moisture will make your shoes stretch out of shape over time, so you’ll have to get them resolved sooner than you’d like.
- And most importantly, moisture causes the odor to build up inside your shoe, which is never pleasant.
So how do you keep your shoes from getting wet? Here are some tips:
- Don’t wear your new ones in the rain or snow unless they’re designed for outdoor use.
- If it looks like rain might be coming down soon after purchasing a pair of new kicks online, wait until later in the day before taking them out on their maiden voyage so they have time to dry off entirely first.
Conclusion
We hope that this article has helped you learn how to maintain that new shoe style. Whether you’re looking for comfortable sneakers or dress shoes for work, keeping them clean will have a good impression on others. But before others, it’s about you. Clean shoes will give you a good feeling when you wear them.
