Shoe Care Tips

While footwear has taken colossal steps forward over the past century, one constant that hasn't changed is the fact that shoes will always require proper care to keep them in good shape.

Today, we have so many types of footwear - from leather to canvas and everything in between. It's bewildering to think that every type of shoe, from cleats to brogues requires special care. Follow our expert tips on how to care for your shoes and they may very well outlast you.

Let’s start with what NOT to do to your shoes in general:

Avoid the wash: Contrary to popular belief, the washing machine is a no-go zone for any type of canvas/ knit or mesh shoe. Even the gentlest cycles can damage the glue that keeps your shoe together and make your soles look more worn down.

No air: Much like our skin, shoes require decent airflow to enable it to breathe. Never store shoes in plastic.

Overwearing: Constantly wearing a single pair of shoes can irreversibly damage the structure of them, in which case, no amount of cleaning can save it. Rotate your shoe wardrobe often.

Dry feet only: Always dry your feet before wearing shoes- damp/moist feet can cause a multitude of health issues and also causes shoes to get moldy.

Don’t forget to wipe: Mud and liquids should be wiped off as soon as possible, specifically from leather shoes to avoid stains.

Forget the heater: In our previous post on making shoes more comfortable, we suggested you stretch them out using a hairdryer- if you want to keep the shape of your shoes, the reverse is also true. Do not dry your damp shoes near a heat source. Air drying is best.

With the don’ts out of the way, here’s what you should be doing to keep your shoes in a prime condition for a long time.

Running Shoes

Running shoes usually feature mesh or knit as an upper, so care is quite simple. Primary to keeping your faithful exercise companions in shape is to always put them on and take them off with care; this means: loosen the laces as much as you can to slide your foot in and out without squashing down the heel counter of the shoe.

Air out after each wear and never put damp feet in your shoes: that’s a sure-fire way to give yourself a serious case of foot funk and a fungal infection.

Clean them with a good quality laundry detergent, diluted with water and scrub to a foam before rinsing off under cold water. Never heat dry or tumble dry, rather rest the shoes on a drying rack outside - not in direct sunlight or in an airy room with the fan on.

Stains on white running shoes/ sneakers can be cleaned with nail polish remover or a vinegar and water solution and a cotton ball.

Chuck Taylors

Like the easy-going lifestyle they perpetuate, cleaning Chucks or similar casual canvas shoes is fuss-free.

Our top tip is to use a good quality foaming cleanser specifically formulated for this type of material or good old laundry detergent mixed into a solution with water. Lather up using a firm bristled brush (NOT a steel brush)/ used toothbrush until the entire surface of the shoe is foamy. Wipe off the foam with a damp clean microfibre cloth and leave to dry in an airy place. It’s better not to submerge Chucks into water, this can cause the sole to start cracking where the glue stops working.

Detergents can be replaced with a baking soda/water paste, applied to the stains and left for 15 to 20 minutes. Dip a scrubbing brush into warm water and work the paste into the shoe further before wiping off with a damp cloth and leaving the shoes to air dry.

If you’re in a bind and need to clean with what you have on hand, white, non-gel toothpaste works brilliantly. Work the paste into areas that are stained, leave on for about 10 minutes and wipe off of a wet cloth. Leave to air dry.

Drugstore sneaker scuff cleaners tend to get chalky once dry so rather invest in a specialty product.

Crocs

We know there are some die-hard Crocs wearers out there and we’ve got you covered too. Keeping the classic Crocs clean is really not that complicated. They’re washable (notmachine-washable though), and simply need a little bit of laundry detergent in the wash water to look as good as new again. Avoid direct heat/tumble drying as it can cause the shoe to shrink.

We hope these tips can help you add a few more meaningful years to your favorite pair of shoes!