Okay…every pair is different, however, all of our shoes must be maintained to a certain degree in order for them to last longer and look their very best. I figured it would be helpful if I list a few common shoe materials and indicate how to clean each one. I have also recommended my favorite products for shoe cleaning and maintenance, shoe longevity and a few footcare tips as well!
Materials & Cleaning
LEATHER is a natural product and benefits from regular cleaning, polishing to retain the supple quality of the material and frequent applications of water resistant protection.
SUEDE and NUBUCK are types of leather finishes. Nubuck is made by buffing the top side of leather and Suede is made by buffing the under side of leather. The unique texture of these materials calls for special types of shoe care products.
MATERIALS such as canvas, nylon, silk, satin, linen, straw and other fibers make a strong, modern fashion statement. Shoes in this category are a mixture of natural and man-made materials. Protection and cleaning are key to their care.
OUTDOOR footwear is usually tanned with extra oils to provide maximum protection against the elements. These oils come to the surface and disappear with wear, so shoe care needs to maintain this good moisture while repelling the elements.
SPORT footwear is made of a wide variety and combination of materials such as leather, suede, fabric and nylon. The shoecare products associated with this category reflect high performance demands.
Cleaning/Maintenance Products
Tana products are great for various uses on several shoe materials. Their products range from brushes to wipes to sprays and scrubs and everything between. They are priced a bit higher than others, however, their performance justifies the extra coin.
Another great line of products is Kiwi – been around forever, and the go-to brand for cobblers and mainstream retailers.
Another part of shoe maintenance is how you store your shoes when you are not wearing them. Men’s dress shoes should be kept on cedar shoe trees. You can find these just about anywhere, and I recommend the Allen Edmonds and Rochester brands. Women’s shoe storage is quite different. Depending on the size of your closet, different methods should be used, however, there are a few you must avoid if you are storing anything other than ballet flats!!
Any hanging pocket storage device is a “no-no,” especially if you are storing heels and boots. This method will ruin the shape of your shoes and sometimes cause scuffs on soft leathers. Plus, the weight of this contraption when full of shoes is sure to cause a headache every time you open the door to your closet, so just avoid if you can.
Another storage faux pas is stacking shoes on top of one and other like the picture below. Again, this method will ruin the shape of your shoes, scuff them unnecessarily and probably send you to the ER at some point for a broken bone.
There are several storage tips I do recommend. One is boxes, if you have the room. Store your shoes in the box they came in, or buy a new clear box so you can see the shoe inside. When I shop for shoes, I always keep the tissue and any other plastic shaping devices in the box for storage. Even if I am shopping at a discount store (like DSW or something), I always ask for a box with a lid for the pair (more likely pairs) I am buying. Usually, they always accommodate this request, even if the box does not match the shoe brand etc… Just make sure it’s the right size!
Another great storage option, if you have room is to stand your heels up on shelves. Again, keep any tissue or shaping device to keep the shape when standing–especially boots! Don’t let your boots slack like the pic below, or again, they will lose their shape or worse, a crease will appear on soft leather! Always use boot shapers (they also have ones you can hang) if you keep your boots standing and not laying flat in a box.
Now, a few footcare tips…
Comfort: Let’s face it, many shoes we wear are not comfortable, and many of us sacrifice comfort when it comes to fashion, so listed are a few products that make our (men and women) shoes, much more comfortable to walk in. Kushyfoot (comfort socks for men and women), Superfeet (insoles for men and women, some designed specifically for high heels, which I wear!) Foot Petals (fashionable cushions, gels, anti-slip pads…for men and women).
Smelly Tootsies: Not a nice subject to talk about, but it’s true, some men and women have stinky, often sweaty feet. Smell can also ruin shoes, and drop your friend count, so listen up! Two must-have products are: Odor-Eaters Foot & Sneaker Spray Powder (it’s cheap, destroys odor on contact, prevents odor and sprays on CLEAR, which is absolutely necessary, plus you can get it at your local drug store). Next must-have item is Foot Petals Sweaty Pedi Spray (however, a cheaper and great alternative is using your antiperspirant deodorant on your feet before putting on your shoes).
High Heel Obstacles: High heel obstacles are everywhere – whether it’s a cobblestone street outside of your favorite bar or restaurant, a grass lawn which you must traverse for an upcoming outdoor wedding, a patio you fear wedging yourself into at a friend’s house, or simply a cracked sidewalk you try to avoid every single day while commuting to the office! IdealHeel enables you to cross all of these surfaces with ease and confidence, while protecting your pumps from gouges, scuffs, stains, tears or sinking! It’s an absolute must for women who wear high heel shoes!
I will end on that note for fear of turning this blog entry into a novel. More at some point. Hope the tips were helpful.
Side Note: IdealHeel also keeps the heel of a shoe 100% clean, and prevents sinking in grass and other natural surfaces. So instead of worry about cleaning the heel of your shoe with various products, prevent the stains, dirt and muck, and simply wear IdealHeels on your heels when you go outside!
