There are several types of leather footwear, depending on the finish and finish. Therefore, care products should be selected individually for each pair. For cleaning winter boots and boots, oily creams are suitable that can withstand temperature extremes well. And for summer products should be neutral and quick-drying, so as not to absorb street dust. The peculiarities of shoe cleaning depend on the season, the quality of the leather and the intensity of use.
Rules for cleaning leather products
In order for your beloved couple to serve for a long time and not lose their appearance and shape, you need to take care of them regularly, observing several rules:
- 1. Wash your shoes immediately after returning home. Street dirt and dust left to dry is absorbed into the skin.
- 2. Do not use brushes with hard bristles.
- 3. Leather shoes can only be cleaned after they have completely dried.
- 4. Apply a thin layer of shoe care cream.
- 5. Do not rub the product with cream shortly before going out. The product will not have time to be absorbed and will not be able to protect the skin from moisture.
Errors in cleaning white and colored leather shoes are most noticeable. These products are especially sensitive to care. Dirt builds up in natural folds. The colors fade and the leather loses its presentability.
Shoe washing
Washing a pair of any style begins with the sole. Use a stiff brush to clean out street dirt in the tread pattern and the place where it is attached to the skin. Do not dip your boot into a container of water. This can damage the natural material and weaken the bonding surfaces. It is prohibited to use the washing machine to wash shoes. The skin should be washed with a soft sponge and soap added to the water. It is best to use liquid hand or dish soap. Products must not contain chlorine. Dry preparations must be pre-diluted in water without residue to avoid abrasive effect when washing.
For white shoes, you can use special products designed for cleaning leather:
- 1. Gel for washing shoes Tamaris. Penetrates deep into the pores of the skin, removing stubborn impurities. Suitable for natural and artificial leather.
- 2. Reno Mat cleaner. Suitable for smooth skin. Does not require rinsing. Able to cope with stubborn dirt (oils, silicone, fats).
- 3. Cleaner Avel Detacheur Hussard. Universal. Suitable for cleaning leather and textiles. Available in aerosol form. Convenient to use.
The products must be applied to the surface to be treated and left for 10-15 minutes. Then wipe with a soft cloth. In case of stubborn dirt, it is necessary to repeat the treatment.
In winter, footwear suffers from anti-icing chemicals that are poured into the streets in abundance. White stains on boots are not just ugly, but also dangerous for the skin condition. Use a mild vinegar solution to clean the stains. A teaspoon of the essence must be diluted in a glass of water. Wash saline stains on the skin with a solution using a soft sponge in a circular motion.
Among the shoe care products, there is also a special salt cleaner. The product is available in aerosol cans. Suitable for all materials. Has no pronounced odor. The liquid is applied to the spots of stains and wiped off with a cloth or sponge.
It is strictly forbidden to wash winter shoes with natural fur lining inside. This can lead to deformation of parts and loss of appearance.
Use a stiff brush to clean the zippers on a regular basis. The zipper must be closed. And only in the case of severe pollution, it is worth cleaning it unbuttoned from the inside and outside. The laces and detachable decorative elements must be washed separately, depending on the material.
Principles of drying shoes
It is forbidden to dry shoes near fire and heating appliances. From extreme heat and contact with hot surfaces, deformation of the skin occurs. Adhesive parts may come off when heated. It is recommended to use special drying inserts that gently cope with dampness for three to four hours.
In the absence of electric dryers, you can cope with the task with the help of paper. Fill the insides of shoes with crumpled lumps of old newspapers and magazines, trying to maintain the correct shape of the model. Leave the steam in a ventilated room for 8-10 hours.
Leather shoe care products
A high-quality shoe cream should contain vegetable or animal fat and wax. These substances soften the skin and protect it from moisture. According to experts, the most popular products are Salamander and Salton. Thanks to a wide range of colors and a large selection of forms of cosmetics, you can choose a product for any type of material. Some products consist of a set of cream brushes, ideal for caring for leather goods.
- 1. Salamander cream with wax. Easily absorbed, softens the skin, protects against moisture, renews color. Suitable for daily use. Apply with a brush or sponge.
Shoes are one of the most important elements of our everyday style. She, like clothes, needs proper care. If you take care of shoes, boots or sandals, then they will serve you for a very long time and will delight the eye every day. This rule especially applies to shoes made of natural material. Today we will find out how to clean leather shoes at home, what is necessary for this.
What should i avoid while wearing leather shoes?
Each person tries to acquire high-quality models from natural materials. Despite the inflated cost, compared to lower-quality products, leather goods have a number of advantages and only show their advantages during wear.
However, before buying such products, you need to know what to avoid when leaving:
- If your shoes are wet, then it is strictly forbidden to dry them using all kinds of heating elements. Do not use electric dryers or place products on a hot battery. It is best to leave these wardrobe items at room temperature to dry on their own. You can put paper inside.
- Do not put your boots in a damp place or wear a wet pair. Leather items of clothing are afraid of high humidity. With this careless use, they will stretch, deform, then dry out or mold and lose their appearance.
- Substances such as acetone, gasoline and bleach should not be used with the regular care of shoes, boots or sandals. They are detrimental to the material.
Important! When solving the problem of how to properly clean leather shoes, it is worth considering the fact that if you buy boots for the rainy season, it takes about 24 hours for them to dry naturally. Therefore, it is worth considering buying two pairs of similar wardrobe items.
How to properly care for leather shoes?
The rules for cleaning and caring for leather shoes have remained unchanged from time immemorial. In order for such products to serve you as long as possible, they need daily care, cleaning and storage. Subject to these three principles, these products will serve you for a very long time.
Rules for caring for leather shoes:
- Cleaning your leather shoes shouldn't be postponed. If you were outside and your shoes got dirty, then you should immediately clean them of dirt when you come home.
- Means intended for cleaning leather shoes must be rubbed 3-4 hours before going outside. You can do this procedure at night. This is due to the fact that they must be absorbed into the material.
- After using leather shoes, they must be properly packed and folded until the next season. For this, the products are folded into a dry cardboard box. Before that, all leather surfaces are covered with a special agent, and a lot of paper is put inside the boot - old and unnecessary newspapers are best suited for this purpose.
Important! Leather shoes are hypoallergenic, do not chafe, do not cause discomfort when wearing, and feet in shoes, even with high heels, do not get tired. Skin products are not only suitable for healthy people, but also for patients with orthopedic problems.
Daily steps of caring for products made from natural materials:
- cleaning;
- drying;
- coating surfaces with special agents;
- minor repairs if necessary.
Shoe cleaning
Shining leather shoes takes much less hassle than similar products made of nubuck or suede:
- At the first stage, it is necessary to clean all dust and dirt from the material, and only then proceed to the next steps. Here you can also wash the material with soapy water.
- The next step is rubbing all surfaces. If you don't have special products, then you can simply use banana peels. Rub all leather surfaces with the white part. After that, the remnants of the sweet fruit are removed with a napkin made of any material.
Depending on the color of the skin, a means for rubbing the surfaces is selected:
- If your boots are white, then you should mix copper sulfate and refined gasoline in equal proportions. In this case, the fuel and lubricant does not harm, but benefits the shoe.
- Products made of soft leather of any shade can be rubbed with petroleum jelly.
- To care for boots of light brown and beige shades, you can use ordinary cow's milk.
Important! All stains of unknown origin and formed on shoes can be eliminated using ordinary onion and lemon juice mixed in equal proportions.
One of the most important nuances in wearing shoes made from natural materials is proper storage between seasons. If you pack your wardrobe items improperly then the outer surface of the shoe can become moldy. However, you can get rid of it:
- First, mix equal proportions of kerosene, water and vinegar and rub the surfaces with it.
- After that, generously lubricate the entire surface with petroleum jelly or castor oil.
There will be no mold left!
We care for smooth skin
When solving the problem of how to wash leather shoes, you should pay attention to its outer surface. If the surface of your shoes or boots is smooth, then it is not afraid of short-term exposure to moisture. That is why you can wash products made from natural materials with soapy water.
Important! If you have chosen shoes made of genuine leather and it has a smooth surface, then it is recommended to apply a water-repellent agent on it once every 5-6 days.
Caring for nubuck and suede products
Caring for nubuck and suede products is slightly different from cleaning leather shoes:
- Cleaning of surfaces from dust and dirt from this material is carried out after complete drying.
- Drying should also occur naturally - it is recommended to put paper inside the boot.
- Household chemical stores sell special brushes and attachments for the care and cleaning of suede or nubuck shoes. They clean the pile and lift it, smooth it in one direction.
- When choosing a water-repellent agent, it is worth purchasing a substance in the form of a spray and applying it after each shoe shine, a couple of hours before going outside.
Important! If you need to remove stains from pile material, you can use refined gasoline, milk, peroxide, bread crumb, coffee grounds,
Cleaning leather shoes at home is easy. However, many neglect the simple rules of care, as a result of which shoes or boots quickly lose their appearance. In addition to a good cream and brush, you must follow the sequence of actions and do not forget about regular care.
Rules for cleaning leather shoes
remove all dirt with a soft brush, wipe dry;
shake off the sole completely, remove dirt from the seams;
wet a cloth, wipe the surface;
dry away from heat and sun.
It is better to start cleaning in the evening - cream and impregnations cannot be applied to damp skin, and it takes at least 4 hours to completely dry. Therefore, upon returning home, especially if there is slush on the street, immediately wash the steam and treat with cream before going to bed.
How to clean leather shoes
moisture-proof impregnations, paint and protective oil (mink, for example) are applied before the cream;
the cream is applied with a brush with a dense, non-scratching surface, bristles in a circular motion;
the areas under the laces, along the seams and the sole also require attention - you do not need to clean only the toe and heel;
finishing polishing is done with a woolen cloth.
In dry season, cream cleaning should be done at least every three weeks. The use of polish brushes is allowed at intervals. In rain, snow and off-season, cleaning is carried out every 10 days. Be sure to use creams with natural oils and waxes to increase moisture resistance.
If the steam is too dirty, here are some tips on how to clean your leather shoes:
dried dirt must be soaked, otherwise scratches will remain;
wipe off traces of paint with vegetable oil;
Use a 3: 1 solution of vinegar and water or castor oil to remove salt stains.
Choose the right cream color and composition. Use liquid sprays to restore color as little as possible. Give preference to specialized cosmetics for different skin types (smooth, suede, nubuck). Use your own brush and rags for each leather type and shoe color. Wash or replace the brush regularly - stuck bristles damage the skin.
Shoes made of genuine leather are of good quality, because they are made from environmentally friendly raw materials, which allows you to feel comfortable in all weather conditions. Boots or shoes will last a long time, provided that the owner takes care of them and clean them properly. In order to properly care for leather goods, you need to know and understand what methods of leather processing exist.
Skin types
There are several types of leather products:
- without finishing;
- with finishing;
- varnished;
- suede products;
- white;
- colored.
Care rules
Observations show that only a few people know how to properly clean leather shoes at home. Boots need not only regular cleaning, but also protection from the negative effects of precipitation and dirt. To properly care for leather goods, you must take into account its type:
Shoes that are well cleaned and shiny are the main highlight of a bold look.... Polished to a shine, it will make a wonderful impression on those around you.
Let's talk about how to properly clean your shoes with cream. To polish your shoes well, you will need shoe polish, a shoe brush, and a piece of soft cloth. Leather care products can be in the form of wax and cream. It should be noted that creams nourish the leather and wax makes shoes more resistant to moisture, so use both products in turn each time you clean your shoes.
Before applying the shoe cream, the product must be thoroughly cleaned. This is important because the remaining dirt during polishing can leave scratches on the leather. For best results, shoes should be washed with a leather cleaner and softener. Using a brush, apply a thin layer of cream to the boot. Rub it in a circular motion over the entire surface of the leather product. When walking, the toe and heel are more exposed to the environment, so apply more cream on them. After you have treated leather with the first layer, leave it on for 15 minutes so that the product is absorbed into the entire surface.
The next step is necessary to remove excess cream.... It is best to use a horsehair brush for this. With single short strokes, we vigorously rub the entire surface of the boot, while it is very important that the movement comes from the hand, and not from the elbow.
The last stage includes the final polishing of the shoe: polish the product with a piece of soft cloth, vigorously from side to side. This manipulation is easier when you are in the shoes. Clean and treated shoes will make you feel much more confident and comfortable.
My leather shoes
In winter, urban roads are treated with chemicals that have a very negative effect on our shoes. In order for the reagents not to act so aggressively on leather products, they must be washed using special agents (gel and soap) specially designed for this purpose. They gently care for the skin and effectively remove impurities. So, how to wash your shoes:
- Leather - with warm water (in no case hot) and a brush. Dust and traces of water should be wiped with a damp, but not wet, cloth.
- Lacquered can not be washed in water. For this purpose, wet sponges are used, with which the products are cleaned with light movements. After this procedure, the patent leather shoes are polished with a piece of velvet fabric.
- Suede leather needs special care. It is better to clean suede products with a foam cleaner with a special brush.
Manufacturers of high-quality shoes categorically prohibit washing their products in a washing machine, but if you nevertheless decide to do this, then you need to follow the following rules:
- it is necessary to wash leather products in special washing bags;
- the regime should be gentle, the temperature is not higher than 40 degrees, spinning and drying are excluded;
- it is categorically impossible to machine wash leather and varnished products.
Follow the rules of shoe care, and it will last you a long time and look like new!
Attention, only TODAY!
I want to warn you right away that there are some differences in shoe cleaning, depending on the color and type of leather, as well as on.
For now, I will focus on the most common footwear we use in everyday life. That is, these are the shoes that are used in 95% of cases.
In the beginning, I want to criticize the "necessary advice" that many sites "Advisers" copy from each other and which, by all means, discourage many from caring for their leather shoes.
Here is some of them:
- Rinse your shoes under running water to remove dirt.
- Brush your shoes with a stiff brush to remove sand from all crevices of the shoes.
- Stuff the front of the shoe liberally with paper for easy cleaning
- Remove the old cream with a special shampoo or product ...?
- Lubricate the shoes with mink grease before using the cream.
- Treat shoes with colorless cream before cleaning with the right cream.
- Well, now apply the desired cream, but the color of which should be lighter than the color of the shoes ...! And start cleaning your shoes
- But then apply a few drops of water, rub it so that the shoes shine
- But, and then, to make the shoes even shinier, go for a horsehair brush.
- But, and then, to give the shoes a majestic shine, steam them with a piece of velvet fabric.
- But all this must be done without fail in the evening so that the cream can dry out overnight.
In principle, all this is correct, and in some cases, they do so.
But the question is: "To what extent are all of these actions necessary to keep the shoes in good condition?"
Answer: "You can do without all this and not only reduce the time for cleaning your shoes, but even avoid trouble."
And what does it have to do with to clean shoes it is enough to purchase a good cream and a shoe brush.
- Never wash under running water. So avoid strong wetting of the skin, and the skin does not like it. It is enough to wipe with a damp cloth. In this case, the drying time of the shoes is reduced.
- Of course, before you clean your shoes, they must be dry. This is an important and not excellent point.
- If you use a good shoe polish (which I will write about below), then you will not need to rip off, rinse, wash off the old cream.
- There is also no great need to lubricate with some additional cream before cleaning shoes, a good cream not only restores the color of the shoes, but moisturizes, lubricates and protects the skin.
- For cleaning shoes, one normal brush is enough, which will smear the cream and polish to a shine.
My comment to the clever people who insist that shoes should be cleaned in the evening, but, in no case, just before going out. All this is nonsense!
Imagine you decide to have some street shoe shiner clean your shoes. By the way, in some countries they are located almost on every corner.
And after he gives you cleaned my shoes, is talking: "Now sit down next to me and wait 10 hours for the cream to dry."... True, nonsense.
