There are a few things to do once you become the owner of a pair of leather dress shoes. You have to care for them just as you would your own skin, if you want them to last for years and years. By keeping them clean, supple, but free from moisture, you can continue to wear and enjoy them longer than you may have originally imagined. A little effort, time and the proper leather shoe care products are a must to achieve your goal.
There are a couple of steps a person can also take to help their investment last. Rotating your shoes is a good practice. Instead of wearing the same pair every day, give them a rest. Doing so will allow the moisture to dry out and give them a chance to air out. Also insert a cedar shoe tree into them as soon as you take them off.
Cedar is the best material to use. It allows proper drying and allows the leather to return back to its original shoe shape. Using cedar will prevent lines from forming where your foot flexes and protects the uppers and insoles. There are plastic and metal models available on the market but they do not allow for proper drying.
After purchasing a pair, water proofing is important. If allowed to retain moisture, mold can form. You can use mink oil but know that it may darken the color of your leather. You could also use a waterproofing compound or simply be sure to always use a wax based polish for lighter protection. When a pair gets wet or damp, do not under any circumstances dry them next to a heater or use a blow dryer. Doing so can dry them too quickly and cause cracking.
Just as too much moisture is bad for your investment, so is allowing them to get too dry. Cracks will form and ruin them. Once this happens there is no saving them. To prevent this you can apply a shoe cream or conditioner every few months. You can also buff on a little dab of petroleum jelly.
You can also keep them in good shape by using a shoe horn when putting them on. Applying a little shoe spray will make cleaning easier. A horse hair brush to be used for applying polish and removing any excess is also necessary. In addition do not forget to use cedar shoetrees. These items will help you maintain and extend their life.
You will also need some basic items to keep them clean. Saddle or oil soap, a specialty cleaner, and a dry cloth are a must. You can use your horsehair brush to help get dirt, mud, and alkaline off. For scuff marks, gently rub an eraser or non-gel toothpaste on then brush off.
At some point you are going to need to have the pair resoled or refurbished. You have two choices. Either find a local cobbler you trust and take it to them. You could also pack up the pair in the original box and return to the manufacture to have the work done.
There are a couple of steps a person can also take to help their investment last. Rotating your shoes is a good practice. Instead of wearing the same pair every day, give them a rest. Doing so will allow the moisture to dry out and give them a chance to air out. Also insert a cedar shoe tree into them as soon as you take them off.
Cedar is the best material to use. It allows proper drying and allows the leather to return back to its original shoe shape. Using cedar will prevent lines from forming where your foot flexes and protects the uppers and insoles. There are plastic and metal models available on the market but they do not allow for proper drying.
After purchasing a pair, water proofing is important. If allowed to retain moisture, mold can form. You can use mink oil but know that it may darken the color of your leather. You could also use a waterproofing compound or simply be sure to always use a wax based polish for lighter protection. When a pair gets wet or damp, do not under any circumstances dry them next to a heater or use a blow dryer. Doing so can dry them too quickly and cause cracking.
Just as too much moisture is bad for your investment, so is allowing them to get too dry. Cracks will form and ruin them. Once this happens there is no saving them. To prevent this you can apply a shoe cream or conditioner every few months. You can also buff on a little dab of petroleum jelly.
You can also keep them in good shape by using a shoe horn when putting them on. Applying a little shoe spray will make cleaning easier. A horse hair brush to be used for applying polish and removing any excess is also necessary. In addition do not forget to use cedar shoetrees. These items will help you maintain and extend their life.
You will also need some basic items to keep them clean. Saddle or oil soap, a specialty cleaner, and a dry cloth are a must. You can use your horsehair brush to help get dirt, mud, and alkaline off. For scuff marks, gently rub an eraser or non-gel toothpaste on then brush off.
At some point you are going to need to have the pair resoled or refurbished. You have two choices. Either find a local cobbler you trust and take it to them. You could also pack up the pair in the original box and return to the manufacture to have the work done.
About the Author:
Our range of top quality leather shoe care products can only be found on our online store. Come and check out the official site of C. A. Zoes Mfg Co here at http://www.zoesmfgco.com.
