You finally found the perfect pair of shoes, and you didn’t buy a second pair?! Here’s what you need to do to keep your shoes lasting for years. If you keep them well taken care of, they should last you a lifetime.
The number one advice that all experts seem to agree on is this: Whenever you aren’t wearing your shoes, use cedar she trees to retain the correct shoe shape and absorb moisture and odor.
The basics
•Give shoes a rest. Don’t wear the same pair every day. Shoes need time to dry out between uses; perspiration breaks down the leather.
•Try shoe inserts. Especially if you love to go sockless, odor-resistant inserts can keep foot perspiration and odor at bay.
•Restore worn parts. Replace the heel when one-fourth of it is missing. Heels are tougher to repair if you let them wear down to the nail.
•Water is the enemy. Waterproof every pair before you wear them, then at least once a year. Several products are available — including mink oil, waxes, creams and sprays. Never wear good shoes in the rain.
•Repair before wear. Bring shoes to a repair shop before you wear them and have rubber tips put on the heels and front sole. Think about having a cobbler put a tip on your pointy toed shoes to prevent you from digging holes into the leather.
•Avoid hot spots. Wet shoes should dry at room temperature, not in the dryer or by the fireplace.
•Travel with care. Put shoes in a flannel shoe bag and use shoe trees to keep them from getting crushed and scuffed in your suitcase.
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