by Shannon Scott
July 05, 2022
It’s astonishing how little we think about our feet and how they affect our overall health. People will spend many hours and hundreds of dollars picking out the perfect pair of pants or just the right top, but they don’t give what’s on their feet more than a second thought. That is until our feet start to hurt because we don’t take proper care of our shoes. Over time, a foot problem can turn into problems with our ankles, knees, hips, and overall posture. Buying a properly fitted pair of shoes and then taking care of them always pays off in the long run.
Damage to your shoes can affect your feet
Walking around in shoes with worn heels or worn-out support not only looks bad, but it can also change the way you walk. And that is a recipe for all sorts of problems. Fallen arches, hammertoes, bunions, corns and callouses, and nasty athlete’s foot are just a few. Next thing you know, you’re embarrassed to walk around barefoot or even take your shoes off when other people are around.
Start with a good shoe.
When was the last time you had your feet measured by an experienced expert? How much thought do you put into making sure your shoes are made from high-quality materials that last a long time and help prevent odor?
Starting with a good shoe is half the battle. They last longer, look better, and are easier to take care of. Durable, high-quality materials also make cleaning shoes a cinch.
Did you know...
- Resting your shoes is important. Letting your shoes air dry for a full day before you wear them again will help them keep their shape.
- How you store shoes can make them last longer. If your shoes are wet from the rain or from perspiration, finding a place with good ventilation can help your shoes dry.
- Wet shoes, regardless of what they are made of, will promote the growth of bacteria and all sorts of nasty, smelly things.
The right shoe for the job
Everyone knows you can’t wear athletic shoes with a suit. Or can you? Mixing styles with what you wear for some people can be a creative expression of fashion.
If it looks good, it works, right? True.
However, it doesn’t work so well when you choose the wrong shoe for a particular activity, like wearing sneakers to work in the garden or casual shoes to work out. We’re all guilty of it occasionally. Most shoes today are purpose-built. When it comes to style and fashion, improv all you want, but when it comes to activities, stick to the script.
Tools to take care of your shoes
- Stop crushing your heel counter. A heel counter is a stiff part right at the back of your shoe where it helps support your heel. It’s also the first thing to go when you don’t use a shoehorn, or you’re too lazy to untie your laces. Everyone’s in a rush. But once you crush your heel counter, you may be stuck with that uncomfortable thing sticking in the back of your foot for a long time.
- Money doesn’t grow on trees, but your shoes will love them. Shoe trees are essential to shoes keeping their shape. Cedar shoe trees also help your shoes dry out faster and help them stay fresh. This is especially important with leather shoes.
- Bristle brushes and suede brushes. Bristle brushes are made of soft horsehair or stiff hog hair. A hog hair brush is good for cleaning dirt and dried mud off your shoes. Horsehair brushes are great for polishing your shoes. A suede brush is completely different. It’s made of short brass bristles with which you can smooth and clean the soft surface of suede shoes.
- Good old newspaper does wonders for your shoes. That’s right. You can stuff your shoes with newspaper or newsprint to help them keep their shape and to help dry them out. Sometimes, your new shoes will be packed with newsprint paper or tissue paper, especially at the toe of the shoe. Hang onto this paper and use them for your shoes.
- Your smartphone can be your shoes’ best friend. Finding a shoe repair shop is not as easy as it used to be, but they are around. Locate one that’s close by and read the reviews to see if they handle the type of shoes you have.
Can you see yourself in your shoes?
You can make even reasonably priced dress shoes look like a million bucks. Click here to learn how to put a mirror shine on your shoes with the right cleaning products. You’ve heard of a “spit polish,” right? Well, here’s a secret you don’t ever need any spit to get your shoes so shiny you can see yourself in them.
What’s the best way to clear out a room? You can yell out “FIRE,” or you can take off a smelly pair of shoes when you’re relaxing with your friends. We’ve all been there, and once you get called out, the embarrassment and stink stay with you.
Keeping your shoes smelling fresh is pretty simple when you know how. Kitty litter, fabric softener sheets, baking soda, rubbing alcohol and tea bags are just a few of the things that can be used to keep your shoes smelling fresh.
Dish soap cleaning your shoes can work, but you might want to try using saddle soap instead. Saddle soap has been used for hundreds of years to keep leather clean, soft, and supple. It’s available anywhere you buy shoes at a reasonable price.
No matter how careful you are, shoe scuff marks are inevitable. The way to remove them depends on the material used to make your shoe upper. Scuffs on suede shoes, finished leather shoes, and synthetic leather shoes are handled differently.
White sneakers need to sparkle, and keeping them that way is the toughest challenge of all. Fear not. We’ve reviewed expert advice, and we’ve found a way to keep your shoes pristine.
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Shannon Scott
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