Shoe Care Tips

Leather shoes need special care - weather proofing, polishing, shining - just like fine furniture, in order for them to survive the wild jungle that we call urban society. Check out the Wizard of Shoes' tips for basic shoe care listed below.

1. Weather/Waterproofing - Leather requires special attention for rough and wet weather. Weatherproofing, with a high quality weatherproofing product, usually containing mink oil, may be applied to shoes before any type of wax polish. The oil will help keep the shoes from creasing and cracking and will also help resist water absorption, which will ultimately protect your feet.

2. Shoe Polish - Whether it's a shoe shine from the man at the barber shop, or a good old fashioned home shine, a shoe shine can do wonders for a pair of shoes. Polish can replace color lost from leather during scuffing and scraping, and place a wax coating on the outside of the leather to help protect the shoes from the elements.

3. Shoe Trees - A shoe tree is a device which is placed inside a shoe to helps the shoe keep its shape, prevent creasing and cracking and also to help keep the insoles smooth. Most shoe trees are made from cedar wood, which also helps absorb excess moisture inside the shoe and prevents odors.

4. Wet Shoes? - If you accidentally soak your shoes all the way through to the inside, you should allow the shoes to dry naturally for at least 24 hours. Keep the shoes away from any form of heat, as the heat can increase the risk of the leather cracking. To speed up the drying process, slightly, newspaper may be stuffed inside the shoes to soak up more moisture.

These easy and inexpensive shoe care tips can help expand the life of your shoes. Take good care of your shoes, and they'll take good care of you!