How to Take Care Your Shoes

If you're anything like me, you sometimes need a good shoe repair shop, whether it's repairing a heel or doing a total restoration. Some repairs can be done at home, but if you need the help of a professional, do not worry, you can easily find a repair shop near you. The Shoe Service Institute of America has a repair shop locator that will help you find the nearest certified store in your neighborhood or near your business.

You can also do an online search or do what I did. I went to an expensive and well known shoe store and asked them who they were using. In the end, they brought the shoes of their customers needing repairs to a store near me. I'll just say I've been going since.

Many shoe repair shops are small, independent businesses. You will therefore support the local economy in addition to restoring your shoes. The first thing to do is to call the store in advance to tell them what kind of work you need to do - at random, they do not provide this service.

If your shoes are really in bad shape, you should definitely take them to a repair shop, but first, consider what you can do to prevent your shoes from deteriorating as much.

Take care of your shoes

You should always take great care of your shoes, especially if they are expensive and of high quality you will not be able to replace them.

Here are some helpful tips for maintaining your shoes:

·         Be good for your shoes. Do not just throw your shoes in the closet once you have finished wearing them. Align them on the floor or on a shoe rack and give them a little respite. You do not want your shoes scratching or rubbing. If your space is limited, consider buying an over-the-counter shoe organizer. Also keep shoes away from direct sunlight to prevent discoloration.

·         Protect the soles. The soles are usually the first things to wear with a pair of shoes, but they are also easy to replace. You can find unique protections for any type of shoe and, if you read the instructions carefully, you can do the repairs yourself. I have done it myself many times and, of course, I am not very helpful.

·         Clean carefully. As tempting as throwing a pair of sneakers into the washing machine, resist the temptation. Yes, it's quick and easy, but your sneakers will take a hit inside your washer and (especially) your dryer. The washing-drying approach will also use the shape of your sneakers. If you are particularly clean, use a toothbrush or a cotton swab to gently remove dirt. Remember, the longer you wait, the more dirt accumulates and the process will be difficult.

·         Use shoe trees. The feet sweat all day long (especially in hot weather) and the leather and inner lining absorb moisture. In addition to causing an unpleasant odor, perspiration can also crack the leather and damage the lining. A shoe tree helps maintain the shape and materials of the shoe in good condition. Shoe trees are an easy and relatively inexpensive solution, but you can always just stuff your shoes with newspaper or wrapping paper and get the same result.

·         Use a water repellent product. Natural materials like suede and leather are beautiful, but the elements can wreak havoc on natural skin. Waterproof your shoes to protect you from water and salt damage in winter.

·         Invest in quality shoes. Spending some extra money on a well-made pair of shoes may temporarily affect your budget for expenses, but there is a clear difference between expensive high-quality shoes and cheaper and substandard shoes. If you decide to invest in quality (which I do and recommend), buy shoes made from real (not man-made) materials such as suede, rawhide and leather. These materials can withstand a lot of wear and, if you treat them well, they will last for years, even decades.