6 Genius Tricks to Make Your Shoes Last Longer
Sep 23 , 2021
Tags - How to Make Shoes Last Longer
We all know how it feels to have a favourite pair of shoes.
For most of us, this means hiding them away at the back of your wardrobe and only taking them out for more special occasions because you don’t want them to get ruined. And if you’ve spent quite a bit of money on them, you’ll want to wear them for years to come.
Before we look at how to make shoes last longer, it’s important to consider the quality of shoes before you spend your hard-earned money.
Generally speaking, for both men and women buying trainers for working out, leather boots and dress shoes are all with investment; you’ll see the benefits of a more expensive pair when it comes to how comfortable they are and how they look.
In other words, the most effective way of making your shoes last longer is to invest in a good quality pair in the first place.
Once you’ve bought the right pair of quality shoes, here are 6 genius tricks to make them last longer so you can get the most wear out of them.
1. Clean Regularly
Seems old school, but polish will bring leather shoes back to life and keep them in top shape. As soon as they start to look dull and worn out, use a cream polish to shine them. Cream is better than wax as wax can dry leather out and using a cream that’s slightly lighter in colour will make it easier to hide scratches.
Moreover, using a moisturising leather cream will help the material stay supple and prevent it from cracking.
In regards to other shoes, (not made using leather), they should be gently cleaned using water and a small amount of detergent, then using a soft toothbrush to thoroughly get in between all the grooves.
Remember, being gentle is key! Never just shove a pair of shoes into the washing machine as this will affect how the shoe holds together later, and never dry them near direct heat, i.e. on the radiator.
2. Use a Protective Spray
Preventative care is the best care.
Whether your shoes are made from suede, leather or other textiles, using a special kind of surface protection from stains and water is the best way to shield shoes from outside elements like rain or snow.
Before you head outside with your shiny new pair of shoes, spray them with a protective spray and then top this up once a month to ensure they’re always protected.
But of course, in heavy downpours it wouldn’t be wise to wear suede for example as a waterproof, protective spray will only do so much.
3. Stuff Shoes with Shoe Trees
It goes without saying, the more you wear your shoes the more likely they are to get damaged.
A good way to keep their shape is to stuff them with shoe horns which will help prevent creasing.
In particular, shoe trees made out of cedarwood are great at absorbing moisture as well as getting rid of any bad odors - let’s face it, no one wants smelly shoes!
On the other hand, if you’re not able to get a hold of shoe trees, newspaper works just as well. Don't be scared to be generous either. Stuff as much newspaper as you can to pad out the shoes as much as possible to ensure it holds its shape.
4. Rotate Shoes
Never wear the same shoes two days in a row.
Inevitably, if you wear the same pair every day for a month they’re going to age really quickly.
So giving them a break will let them bounce back into shape in between wears.
Actually, it’s recommended to have 6 pairs of dress shoes if you wear tailored clothing regularly - a variation between black and dark brown lace up shoes for suits and different colours for loafers will force you to get creative with your style choices no matter the occasion.
5. Store Properly
Did you know, the way you store your shoes will have an impact on how long they will last for?
Shoe bags are the best investment as they protect shoes from dust and moisture in the air.
Don’t worry if your shoes didn't come with any dustbags, a pillowcase works as a great substitute.
In addition, using a dustbag, pillowcase or even putting shoes back in the box will prevent them from getting scuffed, which can happen when they’re stored on top of each other.
However, try to use a shoe organiser where possible as piling them up can cause them to get deformed.
Lastly, shoes should be stored in a cool, dry place where it’s free from moisture otherwise you risk them changing colour. For example, you could place a dehumidifier in your wardrobe and use silica gel packets to make sure it’s completely dry.
6. Protect & Replace Soles
When the soles start looking like they’re on the way out - it’s time to get new ones.
Sounds obvious, but the first place you’ll see signs of wear are the soles. And the more the soles are damaged the more it will affect the whole shoe.
Consequently, by not replacing them in time you can get them in a state where they cannot be fixed.
Simply taking them down to your local cobbler and having them replace the sole is not only super easy, but it’s a cost effective way at making your favourite pair of shoes last for years to come.
However, to stop them from getting to that position in the first place, you can give your soles a longer lifespan by wearing removable sticky sole protectors - especially if you’re going to be walking on bumpy, uneven terrains.
Final Words
Hopefully now you have a better idea of how to look after shoes properly so they will last you a long time. There’s nothing worse than investing into a pair of expensive shoes that get ruined quickly simply because you didn’t look after them with the right care.
Please get in touch to find out more.
Check our extended range of Comfortable Shoes in the meantime.
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