09/12/201605/19/2017 Maria Ivanova 4 comments
The assortment of shoes includes thousands of types of models for all occasions. In addition to the obvious differences in styles, the models differ in the type of upper material.
Natural and artificial leather, polyester, leatherette, nubuck, suede, rubber - all kinds of materials are used by manufacturers to conquer the trade market.
Among summer models, shoes made from various types of fabric have not gone out of fashion for many years. Moccasins, clogs, sneakers, ballet flats, sandals, pantos, sneakers, shoes with fabric tops always look great.
White summer boots made of perforated fabric look very impressive. Consumers of all ages unconditionally fell in love with this type of footwear for a number of undoubted advantages:
- soft texture practically does not rub the skin of the feet in hot weather;
- the material provides ventilation for the shoes, the feet “breathe”;
- pleasant comfort when walking;
- The color range of the models makes it easy to choose clothes to match;
- fabric shoes are considered universal; they are used for sports, everyday activities, and going out.
The advantages of this type of shoe are obvious, but caring for them is also difficult. Leather shoes are easier to care for; they can be washed and cleaned in a matter of minutes with any detergent. Another thing is caring for fabric shoes.
Fabric moccasins, shoes and sneakers, despite their attractive appearance, instantly get dirty. In general, any fabric shoes must be carefully looked after. This is especially true for white shoes, let's be honest - such models are purchased only for one season.
If you wash and clean white shoes every day, then, despite careful care, they will invariably lose their original appearance. White sneakers or moccasins should be worn occasionally, as they say - on the boardwalk in dry weather.
- 1 Daily care for textile shoes
- 2 Thorough cleaning of fabric shoes at home
- 3 Difficult stains on fabric shoes
Rules for cleaning leather products
Leather products are durable to wear, but require more care than their synthetic counterparts.
Washing shoes
Even if you take care of leather shoes, daily dirt and dust quickly settle on their surface. But the products are easy to clean if you follow the following rules:
1. Get rid of dry dirt. Before you moisten or wash your leather shoes, you need to brush off any dust or dirt from them. It is often easier to remove dry dirt with a brush than to rinse it off with water. The best method for removing dirt is to gently scrub it with a soft-bristled brush. You can buy a special brush or use an old toothbrush. The main purpose of this procedure is to remove excess dirt without having to wipe or otherwise affect the material of the shoe.
2. Remove all unnecessary parts. Before cleaning your shoes, you should remove the laces and insoles. They are washed separately. This allows you to clean areas under removable insoles and thick laces, which is a good way to get rid of all the dirt and odors.
3. Wash by hand only. The washing machine puts additional stress on all the delicate elements of the shoes, and sometimes does not even remove dirt. It's best to do this manually. You cannot wash leather shoes, but you can moisturize them. To wash, mix a solution of warm water with a teaspoon of detergent. A cloth is dipped into the solution and the leather item is wiped. Then wipe dry with a clean cloth.
Principles of drying shoes
A common mistake that causes people to damage their shoes when trying to clean them is not using the proper drying process. No need to throw your shoes in the dryer. High temperatures cause the adhesive that holds the upper part of the sole to melt. Even if the shoe does not fall apart, its integrity will be weakened.
If these are quality leather items, it is even more important to avoid the dryer because the heat is damaging to natural fabrics. The best way to dry your shoes is to line the inside with newspaper or paper towels and let them air out. They will dry slowly throughout the day.
Leather shoe care products
It is important not only to know how to properly clean leather shoes. The owner of leather goods must have the necessary care products for shoes or boots made of natural material. These are various water-repellent products in the form of cream, spray or impregnation. Many products sold in the store help not only polish leather shoes to a mirror shine, but also protect them from moisture and dust.
To ensure that leather boots remain beautiful for a long time, you can purchase a special cream that refreshes the natural material, makes it shiny, and hides scuffs and minor damage. You can also purchase special brushes of different hardness that do not damage the material.
Features of caring for products made of nubuck and suede
You cannot wash shoes made of suede or nubuck; these materials deteriorate when exposed to moisture. Therefore, cleaning should only be done with a dry cloth or soft brush. In order for the pile to straighten and dirt and dust to be removed more easily, the shoes should be held over the steam of a boiling kettle. Stains and stubborn dirt can be removed using an eraser.
DIY painting
Manual cleaning of leather shoes, as well as restoration, is many times easier than that of fabric items. If the leather does not look as aesthetically pleasing as when purchased, then the following actions should be taken:
- if the skin has lost its shine, you need to use glycerin, colorless cream or Vaseline;
- if the shoes have lost their brightness of color, then you should apply one or two layers of dye and then dry thoroughly;
- if stains have become embedded in the surface of the skin, lemon juice, which should be soaked into a cotton pad before treatment, will help save the situation;
- for cracks or scratches, it is recommended to use liquid leather, having previously degreased the top layer;
- If a torn piece of leather is noticed on the product, it can be glued and then varnished over the surface.
Shoes are an integral attribute of a person’s image, and with careful care they can last for more than one season. In addition to daily care, it is important to pay attention to the general condition of the product, which will help to detect a problem in time and quickly fix it.
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How to properly clean faux leather shoes at home?
Caring for artificial leather is simple. Synthetics can be cleaned with a few brush strokes and a little water. To clean a pair of shoes, all you need is a piece of cloth or a soft brush dipped in soapy water. You can even remove dust using wet wipes. Stains can be cleaned well with special store-bought products or home methods such as using glycerin or lemon juice. These products help clean shoes from old polish, household stains, and stubborn dirt.
Artificial leather is more difficult to damage than natural leather. Therefore, you can rub it with a brush and use different products. However, drying must be correct. Faux leather is easily deformed when the temperature is too high or low. It is better to dry such shoes and boots in a shaded place away from radiators and other heat sources.
Inexpensive boots
Inexpensive boots are made from artificial leather. But even they need to be cleaned properly. Eco-leather shoes require the same care as boots made of genuine leather:
- remove dirt;
- dry;
- apply impregnation.
If the boots are very wet, they must be dried at room temperature until completely dry. Leather shoe products are used to remove stains. Leatherette boots are wiped with a damp cloth and dried at room temperature. Silicone is used to add shine. It is not recommended to clean with products that contain alcohol, fats, or acetone.
If you wash your shoes correctly, dry them, and clean them, you can extend their life by several years. Depending on the type of boots, the principle of care changes. But one thing remains unchanged - drying shoes on a radiator is prohibited. For these purposes, paper or special pads are used.
Features of care for textile shoes
Textile models can be washed in a washing machine. However, sometimes machine washing leads to damage to the product. Manual cleaning is more difficult, but safe. To clean shoes manually you will need:
- warm water;
- sink or basin;
- mild laundry detergent or dishwashing liquid;
- baking soda;
- brush with soft bristles;
- sponge for washing dishes;
- old towel;
- paper.
First, remove the laces and remove decorative elements that can be removed. Dry dirt and dust are removed with a soft brush. Fill a sink or basin with warm water and add tbsp. l. baking soda. A brush or dishwashing sponge is soaked in the solution and scrubbed across the soles of the shoes until all dirt affecting the tread is removed. It's best not to immerse your shoes in water, as this can weaken the adhesive that holds the material together.
After the sole is cleaned, the water is drained. Then pour clean water and add 2 tablespoons of washing powder or dishwashing liquid. Use a sponge or brush to remove dirt from the surface of the fabric. Use a clean rag to remove any remaining foam, and use a towel to remove excess water from the fabric.
The boots can be stuffed with paper to help them retain their shape and left to air dry. Drying near direct heat or artificial sunlight should be avoided as this may further weaken the adhesive and affect the texture of the fabric. Before putting your shoes back on, make sure they are completely dry.
Cleaning the inside of shoes
Most owners think about caring for the interior surface when an unpleasant odor occurs. It is a signal of the emergence of a favorable environment for the proliferation of bacteria that cause fungal diseases. It is recommended to use special UV lamps or electronic drying with UV radiation. They destroy odor and get rid of bacteria.
An equally effective product is a deodorant for the inside of the product, for example, SALTON, BioBeauty, Das Mineral brands. The product gets rid of bacteria and prevents their proliferation.
Methods for cleaning dirt inside
When cleaning shoes inside, you should follow the same rules as when cleaning the outside. Suede boots cannot be washed, and strong chemicals are not suitable for natural leather. It is best to clean the inside of the product with a damp cloth soaked in a solution of soap or washing powder.
Folk remedies such as hydrogen peroxide or a solution of potassium permanganate will help clean and refresh the inside. However, it is better to use these products when washing artificial leather products. You can even pour a little solution inside. Baking soda cleans well, but it is not suitable for dark products.
If there are persistent stains, it is better to purchase special aerosols in the store. However, they need to be selected according to the type of material from which the shoes, shoes or boots are made. Insoles and laces are always washed separately.
Why is constant cleaning required?
Every day this part of the wardrobe is exposed to all sorts of external factors, including dust, dirt, and sudden changes in air temperature. Therefore, care will allow the material to last longer and maintain a presentable appearance.
Thanks to cleaning and washing, shoes:
- it is more difficult to pass moisture from the external environment;
- acquires dirt-repellent properties;
- looks like it was just purchased;
- It allows air to pass through better, making the wearer feel comfortable when wearing it;
- does not leave dust spots or streaks.
Washing issues
Cleaning, washing, polishing shoes with wax and other types of care largely depend on the type of product. Each material requires separate care.
Finished models
Products made from genuine leather are subjected to finishing processing. These are the majority of models on shoe store shelves. The treated skin looks smooth and shiny. It cannot be washed, but can only be wiped with a damp cloth or brush, first removing dust and dry dirt. If there are stains on the shoes, they can be removed with a brush dipped in a solution of vinegar and water mixed in equal parts.
Models without finishing
Cleaning models without treatment requires the same procedure. However, you can also use various chemicals that are not used when cleaning models with finishing treatment, so as not to damage the top layer. After all contaminants have been removed, the surface of the material can still be treated with special wax or oil.
Varnished models
Lacquered models require gentle care. Do not use rough brushes or cloths with hard bristles, as they will scratch the surface of the material. Patent leather shoes are cleaned with a damp sponge. After this procedure, the shoes are wiped dry and polished with a piece of velvet cloth.
Colored models
When caring for colored models, you should be careful and attentive using various cleaning products. They can ruin the paint of the material. Otherwise, cleaning such shoes is no different from caring for models made from the same material.
White models
For light-colored models, use a soft brush. A soft-bristled toothbrush can also help remove dirt. It gently removes external dirt. You need to make light, simple movements, press gently.
For cleaning you will need a cleaning solution. In a small bowl, mix warm water and a small amount of mild laundry detergent. The consistency should be slightly soapy, but not too foamy or sticky. When cleaning white models, it is important to avoid bleach as it can cause discoloration or damage to the material.
Using a soft cloth, apply the cleaning solution to the surface of the shoe using light circular motions. It is better to fill a second bowl with clean warm water to periodically rinse the fabric, avoiding dirt getting on the material.
When cleaning light-colored boots, boots, and other styles, it is important to completely remove all excess cleaning solution. To do this, take a clean soft cloth, lightly blot it in water and wipe the surface of the material. You do not need to completely immerse your shoes in water, as this may affect their shape. And the glue used in the design of some models does not react well to high levels of humidity.
Light-colored models are best air dried. It is worth choosing a cool and dry place, protected from direct sunlight. If your boots or boots get very wet while cleaning, you can fill them with paper towels to better maintain their shape as they dry.
How to clean shoes
As you probably noticed in the previous statement, a key component of shoe care is cleaning it. If you are going to work or, especially, to some official event, your shoes should be clean and polished to a shine. This is a strict rule that, in my opinion, a man should follow. Why, you ask? The fact is that a clean and tidy appearance is the key to making people feel good about you. Once again I remind you of the saying: “They meet you by their clothes, but they see you off by their mind.” If you have a nice suit, a clean shirt, a well-chosen tie, but dirty and unpolished shoes from the time you bought them, you are a sloppy person. I assure you, as soon as a person shakes your hand, smiling benevolently, and then quite accidentally sees dirty shoes, he will immediately change his face (or pretend that he didn’t notice), and change his opinion about you.
I'll say it again. Every self-respecting man should wear clean shoes and, especially, classic shoes. There are, of course, cases when on the way from home to work your shoes managed to get dirty, even if you were as careful as you could. In this case, there are small shoe cleaning sponges on sale that will fit even in a small briefcase. Ideally, you might have a special shoe shine machine at work, but this is only found in large office centers or in the lobby of large companies where there are many top managers. Either way, find a way to quickly clean your shoes.
So, in addition to a good appearance, well-cleaned shoes will be protected from moisture and dirt. This will have a positive effect on its life expectancy, especially if you buy expensive shoes and want them to please you for more than one year.
Types of creams for smooth skin
Nourishes, refreshes color, gives natural shine. No silicone. It has the widest color palette - 102 shades.
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Nourishes, refreshes color, gives natural shine. No silicone. Easy to apply, has an applicator.
Color palette - 24 shades. Contains natural beeswax.
For final polishing. No silicone. Color palette - 6 shades.
Contains natural beeswax, carnauba wax and mineral wax.
