Shoe Care-Making Shoes Last

By: Nichole Smith

Consider how many miles your shoes cover in a day and what kinds of shoes you are walking in. If you wear your dress shoes for long commutes or extensive walking, think about switching to a pair of athletic shoes to cover those long distances. Your dress shoes will last longer, as they are no longer pounding the pavement and wearing down the soles. For women, an added benefit to wearing athletic shoes for long walking commutes is that the likelihood of breaking a heel is reduced.

After you've worn your shoes, store them in shoe boxes, racks or trees. Tossing them in the closet all together can cause them to rub on each other, which can scuff or wear down the finish on dress shoes. When you take them off to store them, always untie your shoes. It will help them to retain their shape; an extra stuffing of newspaper will also help keep the shape of your shoes as well. This way, you'll be treating them just like new shoes.

Foot powders or even less expensive baking soda can be sprinkled in shoes to prevent foot odors from seeping into the fabric or soles of shoes. Even when you aren't wearing your shoes every day, polishing them with a shoe polish and even lightly brushing off dirt with a toothbrush or other small brush can help shoes look new longer.

Everyone has a favorite pair of shoes, but wearing them every day can cause the shoe to wear down faster. Give your shoes at least a day's rest in between wear. If you discover that, even after proper care, the soles and tread on your shoes are wearing faster than you'd like, you can take them to a professional to have the soles replaced. If you'd like to preserve the tread on your shoes, a professional cobbler or shoe repair shop can add an extra layer of tread. If you own leather shoes, having the sole or tread covered with rubber will save you from slipping, but it will also protect the shoes and add more cushion to your walk.

You depend on your shoes to keep your feet warm and dry and take you places, right? Knowing proper shoe care will not only keep your feet happy but also help to make your shoes last longer and keep you walking comfortably.

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Always check if new shoes need waterproofing or regular polishing before you wear them. Preparing the material can help prevent damage, as can regular cleanings and proper storage. When storing shoes, stuff them to keep their shape, and store them standing up, never laying on one side.

Balance your selection of men's shoes with a little bit of classical and a little bit of modern style. Wear dress shoes for work or formal affairs and casual shoes for kicking back, and try not to mix the two styles.

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