As we know, you can tell the measure of a man by his shoes, say an old adage. So what signals do your footwear send out? If the signs are less than favourable, it’s time to acquaint yourself with some simple shoe care. With a little effort and a little-know, you can ensure that your footwear’s fabric and soles will endure whatever punishment your feet will inflict.
Below are 4 Steps To Take Care Of Men’s Footwear
Men’s Footwear Should Always Be Kept Clean
There’s no getting away from the fact that if your shoes are leather, they must be polished. Forget your liquid-filled sponge polish, though serious footwear calls for serious cream-based polish. Why? Not only does polishing your shoes make them look good, but the polish moisturizes and nourishes the leather, keeping it supple and healthy. How often should you polish? Ideally, each time you put your shoes on. If that sounds like too much work, then at least rub them down before venturing out into bad weather.
For suede shoes, park the polish and, instead, look to a suede brush and eraser for optimum maintenance. Each does as its name suggests: the erase rubs away any light markings while the brush is used to return the nap of suede to its original state.
Trainers may be a more casual form of footwear, but the rules for cleaning are no less important. If they’re canvas, the best way to clean them is by hand using fabrics shampoo and lukewarm water. Alternatively, apply a mix of baking soda and water using an old toothbrush. Tempting as the washing machine may be, a word of warning: don’t.
For leather trainers, small scuffmarks can often be removed by applying a few swabs of nail-polish remover and then wiping clean.
To Care For Men’s Footwear You Must Handle With Care
Like a good suit, a fine pair of shoes needs to be treated with care. Be sure to rotate your shoes in order to give them a rest.
For Men’s Footwear Always Do A Repair Work
If your leather shoes are wearing, have a cobbler repair them at the first sign of damage. New heels and new soles will extend a shoe’s longevity significantly – and for far less than the cost of a replacement pair.
Men’s Footwear Should Have A Standard Sole
Experts tends to have conflicting views on how best to prolong the life of a leather-soled shoe. For our money, though, having a cobbler apply an additional rubber sole onto the original leather sole is a sure-fire way to increase their longevity. Handily, a rubber sole will also reduce the risk of an embarrassing slip on Grafton street.
