When purchasing high-quality genuine women’s shoes Australia in stores of well-known brands, many people believe that they are insured against the short and inefficient service of such a promising new thing. However, this is not quite true. Wear resistance, functionality and comfort of any shoe are determined not only by an impressive figure on the price tag and a prestigious label on the product itself, but also by proper care. The main criteria for such care are constancy and adequacy of the material.
We offer you to arm yourself with useful information designed to make your “cooperation” with this or that pair of shoes long and fruitful!
The choice of shoe cosmetics
Please do not list care products as the “main savings item” in the shoe issue, unless, of course, you want your black shoes to suddenly turn green! According to experts, the cost of shoe cosmetics should be approximately 10% of the cost of the pair to which it is addressed.
Before buying, we advise you to familiarize yourself with the composition of the product. Wax gives the skin shine and protects it from external influences. Oils nourish and restore the “fresh look”. Silicones are polished, creating an additional protective layer. Solvents (gasoline, water, alcohol) are cleaned of dust and dirt. Fluorocarbon resins create a moisture-repellent effect. Keep in mind that summer shoes prefer silicone and solvent based products, i.e. liquid creams, aerosols, self-gloss sponges, etc. In winter, it is advisable to use greasy creams (shoe polishes) based on oils, waxes, fats, which provide more intensive care.
Shoe care equipment
The main device for caring for leather shoes is a classic hair brush for cleaning and polishing (it is possible with artificial, but better with natural bristles – it is more delicate). A spreading brush with a comfortable handle may be needed when applying the cream. The stiffness of the pile will depend on the type of leather: for smooth, “delicate” leathers, sparing brushes are needed. Also, when cleaning and processing, a special pile cloth, a polishing cloth, an impregnated sponge, an ordinary soft sponge (tubes with creams are often equipped with such sponges) will be useful. When choosing the appropriate equipment, as in the case of cosmetics, we strongly recommend that you turn to the products of leading manufacturers. Poor-quality brushes and sponges can leave scratches, not cope with dirt and hide the most unexpected tricks.
Rules for the care of shoes made of genuine leather
Leather shoes should be cleaned after each “going out”, while once a week your “fellow travelers” are shown more serious procedures aimed at maintaining integrity and external gloss, maintaining water-repellent and “breathing” properties.
Wash the leather upper with a damp cloth, but do not wet it too much. A special shoe shampoo can be dissolved in water. Or use a cleaning foam. Rub carefully – even microscopic damage to the surface can lead to loss of “presentation”.
Wait for the shoes to dry naturally. In no case do not dry it on a radiator, with a hair dryer and other electrical appliances, including “special dryers”. This is fraught with drying out of the skin, cracks, violation of the shape and loss of high-tech properties. It is also not recommended to expose leather shoes to dry in the sun. To speed up the process, you can stuff your shoes with newspaper, insert absorbent wooden blocks or spacers, and put bags of silica gel.
Apply a thick layer of cream (cream paint) or soak with an aerosol. Leave for a while, then remove unabsorbed excess with a dry and clean sponge or buff with a brush.
Spray thoroughly with water and dirt repellent spray. In the dry season, this can be done not every week, but at least once a month.
“Shine” with a brush, velvet cloth or a special napkin.
Membrane shoe care
Often, shoes for hiking and outdoor activities hide a membrane layer under the top layer of genuine leather. Remember the essence of membrane technology: natural body fumes and moisture penetrate through the microporous material – the membrane, and from there evaporate partly through the outer layer of the boot, partly back into the boot after you take it off. Thus, the cleanliness and “health” of the outer layer of membrane footwear (and the well-being of the inner one) is the key to maintaining its high-tech properties.
In general, the membrane itself does not require any maintenance, and the surface of such shoes is treated in the same way as any leather surface. However, shoe polishes and fats of membrane shoes are contraindicated, as they reduce the “breathing” properties. After each “walk”, shoes with a membrane must be properly dried, and here the aforementioned ban on drying with a battery and electrical appliances is doubly important: overheating can reduce the effectiveness of the membrane to zero. Daily care should be directed, first of all, to the removal of dust and contaminants that reduce the “breathing” properties of the surface. In addition, membrane footwear needs thorough water and dirt-repellent impregnation, which keeps the surface as clean and dry as possible during operation.
Here, in fact, are all the subtleties of “humane treatment” with your leather shoes, which, we hope, will have a long and eventful life. Just do not forget: hiking boots need special care, which is caused by more severe conditions of their operation.
