HOW TO EXTEND THE LIFE OF SHOES?

Specialized shoes as well as the traditional ones you wear every day for work, walking or trekking require proper care. Proper maintenance will allow you to enjoy the functionality of your footwear for a long time to come. Nowadays, unfortunately, often, our customers forget about it. Try to slow down the phenomenon of consumerism and learn about ways to waterproof - treat it like your own skin. Wash, groom, apply cosmetics - this is the routine that shoes need, not every day of course. Oshoes longer will perform its function if you regularly apply appropriate waterproofing agents to the upper. Without it, the skin will become dry, start to crack and cease to be aesthetically pleasing.

It is worth mentioning that in shoes of poor quality or old, impregnation will not make them regain their properties or protection against sole decay.

So how to clean and waterproof shoes so as not to harm them? Different materials of the upper are dedicated to different measures. Learn, step by step, how best to approach cleaning and maintenance.

CLEANING

Full grain leather - shoes made of animal leather, which has undergone prior veneering, is smooth and shiny. The leather has high resistance to dirt and water. All dirt from shoes is best removed as soon as possible.

First of all, the shoes get rid of the laces in order to reach the harder to reach zones. This step is often skipped, and the tongue area is not impregnated. Wash the laces and insoles preferably with gray soap. Larger dirt should be removed with a medium-hard bristle brush. Remove mud and dust with a damp cloth. Clean the soles as well, this is an opportunity to check for any damage or remove foreign objects from the tread. When preparing your shoes for the next step, which is waterproofing, leave them slightly damp.

Nubuck/suede leather - the difference with respect to grain leather shoes is that cleaning is done dry. Cleaning nubuck shoes can be a little more difficult than smooth leather shoes, as nubuck is more delicate and prone to stains and scratches.

An effective mhe method of cleaning nubuck is brushing with a special brush. Brushing is done against the hair, so it is best done in zones. Design nubuck brushes is usually two-sided. Rubber side removes stains. On the other hand, the side with nylon-copper bristles effectively comb out dust and arrange the skin bristles. Use the following to smother impurities that have penetrated deep into the skin nubuck and suede cleaner and brushes in the applicator.

Synthetic materials - cleaning of shoes made of synthetic materials is very easy. Cordura, rubber or nylon upper should be cleaned with a wet cloth and a brush when dirt is more intense.

Remember, footwear with a membrane is best cleaned with water in combination with with the preparation, which promotes breathability.

Washing shoes by hand, let alone in a washing machine, is not recommended.

IMPREGNATION

Full grain leather - before waterproofing umake sure your shoes are clean and dry. Footwear made of grain leather should be oiled, which will make it retain its elasticity, shine and water repellent coating, which retains moisture on the surface of the leather. Bhe leather will become hard, dry and cracked without regular maintenance. Waxes, pastes, oils or creams penetrate deeply into the leather upper and will help keep footwear in good condition and protect from moisture or stains. Impregnants are best applied with a cloth using circular motions. Preparations can sometimes change the shade of the leather - so it's a good idea to apply a small amount to a small piece of leather before polishing the whole shoes. Allow the shoes to dry naturally, set them aside in a dry and airy place for a few hours, and then polish them with a cloth.

Impregnation of grain leather shoes should be repeated regularly, especially if they are often exposed to rain or moisture. On average, every few months is a good time to secure footwear again.

If your shoes are equipped with a Gore-Tex membrane or other laminate, be sure to read the label of the waterproofing product. The preparation must be designed for footwear with a membrane. Check that the product you buy is suitable for your shoes.

Examples of preparations for impregnation of footwear made of grain leather:

• Cream Elegance Shoe Polish 50 ml Coccine

• ShoeCare Leather Wax OrganoTex Shoe Wax (also for shoes with membrane)

• Nikwax WWFL Clear Veneer Leather Waterproofing Wax

• Water Stop Cream Kaps

• HAIX Gore-Tex Shoe Paste (also for shoes with membrane)

Nubuck/suede leather - in order to preserve the original appearance of the material, that is, the mesquite surface, it is recommended to use spray impregnants. This type of applicator will not change the texture and will not glue the micro hairs of the suede. The waterproofing will nourish and moisturize the leather, and thus will not clog pores. Remember to keep a distance of 30-40 cm when applying.

Products dedicated to nubuck/suede leather:

• HAIX Footwear Waterproofing (also for shoes with membrane)

• WATERPROOF MOUNTVAL Waterproofing for Clothing and Footwear (also for shoes with membrane)

• Nano Protector Kaps Footwear and Clothing Impregnator (also for shoes with membrane)

• Impregnating Agent for the Care of Suede and Nubuck Footwear HAIX Paste(also for shoes with membrane)

Footwear made of synthetic materials - impregnate the textile surface with spray or impregnate with a sponge applicator. Here, too, pay attention to whether the agent is suitable for boots with a membrane.

In addition to the impregnants listed section above, we also recommend:

• SYNTHETIC PROTECTOR Kaps Footwear and Clothing Impregnant (also for shoes with membrane)

• Mountval Oil Protector Footwear Waterproofer

• Shoe&Boot Water Repellent Atsko Sno Seal

• ShoeCare Waterproofing OrganoTex

When impregnating shoes with a wet product, set them aside in an airy place for several hours so that the agent can be well absorbed. Do not use a hair dryer or heater, as this can damage the shoes.

Remember that waterproofing products can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, so it is always advisable to follow the instructions on the package and choose a product designed for a specific type of upper. Waterproofing will help extend the life of shoes and keep them in good condition.

Reliable care of footwear, will reward with excellent durability and reliability.

Take care, don't throw away!