By F. Javier Girela
A good man is recognized by his feet. You may have been worrying about choosing the perfect look and you nailed it, but if you show up with dirty shoes, nothing you have done will have been for nothing. Here the excuse of not knowing how to clean shoes is not valid, because in this quick guide all doubts are resolved.
What do we need to clean shoes?
- 2 standard size natural bristle brushes.- 2 small natural bristle brushes for the nooks and crannies.- Various cotton chamois.- Moisturizing cream for footwear.- Shoe polish or colorless cream.- Horse grease or beeswax for footwear.
the leather ones
Leather shoes are the most common and the least cared for. It is not enough just to pass them the typical sponge that gives shine once a month. This sponge is used for maintenance, but it should not be the only care. The steps to follow are those.
Brush the shoe thoroughly to remove dirt.
If any stain remains, use a cotton cloth dipped in warm water to remove it.
A very important step is the hydration of the shoe so that the leather does not crack. Use special creams for hydration, which will also add shine. You will find them in any shoe store.
Apply shoe polish or a colorless cream to restore its natural color. At this time we must be careful or we can spoil our shoes for life. If we find a cream that matches the color, perfect, use it without any problem. But if you have doubts, do not play it and bet on a colorless one.
Let dry, brush again and, finally, a trick: with a cotton chamois or thread, rub the shoe until it shines.
suede
Perhaps it is the most delicate material and, therefore, more prone to damage, so it needs much more care. In this case, we have several options.
The traditional one is that of the metal bristle brush and a special eraser. With the first we will be able to remove the dust and, with the second, any stain. But the techniques have advanced and on the market we can find different sprays that, together with the classic natural bristle brush, will help us to leave them looking like new.
canvas
This is a material mainly associated with sports shoes, which also have to be cleaned. Brush them thoroughly to remove surface dirt. Then, with a little warm water, neutral soap and with the help of the brush, clean them trying not to soak them.
If you are looking for a quick solution when you have an unforeseen event and you need them immaculate instantly, turn to the classic textile stain remover.
greased
We cannot forget about the oiled boots or boat shoes. To leave them spotless, we start with the basic step, brushing. Then, with a cotton cloth, we apply some grease, generally from horse, or special wax to maintain the resistance of the leather and prevent it from cracking.
patent leather
When you release this type of footwear, everything shines, shines and the world looks at your feet. However, after several wears, the shine disappears, the friction crushes the shoe and, if you do not remedy it, everyone can focus on your feet, but not because of how good they look.
With a damp chamois and with circular movements, remove surface dirt and possible stains. Then, with a cotton cloth and a solution of vinegar and water, rub the entire shoe to restore its shine (we can also use milk instead of the vinegar and water mixture. Yes, the milk you put in your coffee ). Finally, with another clean chamois or other thread cloth, rub the entire shoe in circular motions until it achieves its original shine.
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