Top 5 Shoe Wear and Tear Preventatives for the Modern Man
We have all been through the struggle in trying to keep our shoes unworn as much as possible. It is an inevitable fact that our calf plain leathers will be exposed to creasing, scuffing, color fading, and much more. The great thing about dress shoes is that they are made to last! The only problem with achieving this ideal is that we have to find and apply the proper care to assist our shoes in reaching its everlasting purpose. So here are some major tips on how to keep your shoes looking fresh and new!
Firstly, you must always use a shoe horn when putting shoes onto your feet. The purpose of the shoe horn is to alleviate any stress put on the shoe counter as well as the heel. This is how you prevent leather wear and creases. More importantly, poorly worn heels ultimately cast the shoe off balance which causes strain to the feet, legs, and back.
Since we find shoe horns necessary, we always provide a shoe horn with every Awl & Sundry shoes. We want the best for you and your shoes!
Doesn’t this look familiar?
Seriously guys, shoe horns are worth it and easy to use. All you need to do is put the blade of the shoe horn against the shoe counter and you slip your foot into the shoe with the heel of your foot sliding along the blade of the shoe horn. The shoe horn makes slipping on your shoes become effortless.
Secondly, cedar wood shoe trees are essential for odor and moisture absorption and that is why we also include shoe trees with every Awl & Sundry purchase. This is very important because moisture causes undesirable creases in the shoe. It is advised to always use shoe trees after wearing shoes. However, let your shoes air breath for 10–15 minutes before inserting the shoe trees. Shoe trees are also good for making the structure of the shoe hardwearing.
After inserting shoe trees, you should put your shoes in shoe bags. This will prevent your leather shoes from being exposed to unwanted dust. It will also protect your shoes from being scratched from other objects in your closet.
While shoe trees and bags keeps the shoes dry and in shape, it is good to keep the shoe upper moisturized through polishing it once a week. This prevents the leather from creasing and cracking. Polishing your leather extends its last and keeps it in healthy shape. The best way to polish your shoes is through using a soft cloth, horsehair brush, and a creamy polish. However, make sure to clean your shoes before adding any polish because dust and dirt can get trapped beneath the polish. You can clean your shoes with a horsehair brush and wiping it down with a slightly damp cloth.
Also, don't forget to take the laces out!
Our last tip is on how to fix the color fading problem. The culprit to your leather fading is excessive exposure to sunlight. Leather conditioning can easily fix and prevent this problem from happening in the future. It is advised to condition your shoes every 4 to 6 months depending on how often it is exposed to heat and sunlight. Also, you must always clean your shoes before conditioning it. Saddle soap is normally used to clean shoes before applying the conditioner.
Now you have it! Start using these Awl & Sundry tips on your shoes and you will find that their appearance and structure has improved!
