WHOSE SHOES DO THEY POLISH?

One day Abraham Lincoln was polishing his shoes and a staff member of the White House walked in. Surprised by what he saw, the staff member said, ‘Sir! Presidents don’t polish their own shoes.’
Lincoln replied, ‘Then whose shoes do they polish?’

During my school days in Colvin every morning they would check our shoes and if found unpolished, the senior house prefect would make us run 3-4 laps of the running track. The funny thing about this punishment was that, as a result of running on the wet and grassy track our shoes got dirtier and muddy. But the purpose was served and even the princely Taluqdars, who were my classmates, were not spared. This taught me, very early in life, how to take care of my shoes.

Every time I buy a new pair of shoes they are beautiful, they fit my style, they are comfortable, and they are sturdy. I am almost certain I will wear them for years to come. And then, in a matter of months they’re just not the same anymore: they lose their shape, look worn and discolored or get scratched. So, I’m forced to throw them away. So recently, when I had an up market shoe manufacturer as my patient, one whose family has been in this business for three generations, I thought I should get some tips on how to maintain shoes.

General don’ts with shoes

Avoid the wash: Contrary to popular belief, the washing machine is a no-go zone for any type of canvas/ knit or mesh shoe. Even the gentlest cycles can damage the glue that keeps your shoe together and make your soles look more worn down.

No air: Much like our skin, shoes require decent airflow to enable it to breathe. Never store shoes in plastic.

Over wearing: Constantly wearing a single pair of shoes can irreversibly damage the structure of them, in which case, no amount of cleaning can save it. Rotate your shoe wardrobe often.

No damp and moist feet in shoes: Always dry your feet before wearing shoes- damp/moist feet can cause a multitude of health issues and also causes shoes to get moldy.

Don’t forget to wipe: Mud and liquids should be wiped off as soon as possible, specifically from leather shoes to avoid stains.

Forget the heater:  Do not dry your damp shoes near a heat source. Air drying is best. Never dry your shoes on a heat source like a radiator or in direct sunlight. This will cause discoloration and make the fabric hard and/or misshapen. Try soaking up the excess water by dabbing the shoes with a cloth and laying them down to dry at room temperatures instead, ideally in a dry and well-ventilated area.

General dos with shoes

Shoe care products are a must: Most shoes will require care products from time to time to protect them from the elements because prevention is key! Test the product on the heel (or other non-visible parts of the shoe) to check the color and performance of the product before using it on the entire shoe. The technique application is also essential: always apply products to your shoes from heel to toe, otherwise, you may stain the shoe in a visible spot should you apply too much product. 

Protect their shape: To prevent the shoes from losing their shape, store and dry them with tree horns or fill them loosely with paper (newspapers work wonderfully for this goal). Shoes tend to lose their shape when we walk in them while they’re wet, so unless your shoes are water-repellant, try to avoid walking long distances while they’re wet.

To eradicate unpleasant smells: Use baby wipes to clean the inside of the shoes. Also, try to take out the soles and let them air out for a day or two. Another method is sprinkling baking soda inside the shoes, letting it sit for a few hours and then wipe it away (or vacuum it). The baking soda will act like dry shampoo for the shoes and absorb the smells.
To clean the outsoles of the shoes: Use a 1:1 mixture of baking soda mixed with dish soap or laundry detergent and scrub them with an old toothbrush. You can leave this mixture on for a few minutes (this will make the outsoles whiter) or rinse it off immediately.

Now that you’re familiar with the basics, let’s move on to specific fabrics shoes come in because each major type of fabric has its special needs.

Leather shoes:

Leather shoes are popular because they are comfortable, durable and flexible. Also, one can’t ignore the fact that leather shoes are just plain classy! At the same time, leather is a high-maintenance material and requires regular care. If not cared for properly, it tends to look dull and eventually cracks. 

Cleaning

• The first step to cleaning leather shoes is to wipe off any dirt with a soft, dry cloth.
• If your shoes still seem dirty, grab some water and a gentle cleaner and wash the stains away, making sure not to wet the leather too much. Avoid using a sponge, as it can degrade the leather.
• A water and vinegar mixture will also get rid of any salt- or water stains, any wax/polish buildup, and unpleasant smells.
• If you have any dark scratches on your leather shoes, use a white eraser to erase the darkness.

Care

• It is essential to polish leather shoes to protect them from water damage once a month.
• Before you start, remove the laces and/or any buckles if possible. Also, make sure your shoes are dry. 
• To polish your leather shoes, use a wax-based polish rather than liquid polish. Use a soft brush or a dry cloth to really work in the product into every crevice of the shoes, starting from heel to front, polishing it until the shoe is shiny and no excess product remains in any bends and crevices.
• Lastly, use a water-protecting spray to make the shoes waterproof. You will need to spray the shoes with a thin coat of spray once in 2-3 months depending on the product and weather conditions. 

Storage

• Keep your leather shoes in a shoe box or in a laundry bag, and not in a plastic bag to let it breathe.
• Store the shoes away from direct sunlight, as leather is prone to discoloration.

Suede shoes:

Suede shoes are infamous for being high-maintenance and just beautiful. The key to picture-perfect suede shoes is a suede brush: a relatively stiff brush, often with a rubber and/or eraser element built into it.

Cleaning 

• Once you cleaned the dirt off with a dry cloth, dampen a clean cloth in a mixture of mild soap and water and use it to clean the surface of the shoe.
• Go in with the suede brush, gently fluffing up the texture of the suede, always going in one direction.
• If any stains or scruffs remain, use the rubber or eraser end of the brush to clean the stain. The same goes for grease or grass stains. Tougher stains can be removed by vinegar soaks.

Care

·         Protect them with a water-resistant spray. This is especially important for suede because it can be absolutely destroyed by water stains. Repeat once in 2-3 months.

·         Fake suede shoes will produce an unpleasant smell faster than authentic ones, primarily because the material that they use does not allow the shoes to air as well, leading to excessive sweating and a build-up of bacteria. Deodorize the shoes -simply mix 2 tea spoon full of  baking soda and corn flour and few drops of essential oil, stirring to combine. Add the mixture to the inside of each boot to deodorize them. Let the baking soda sit for 24 hours, then turn them upside down and shake them out. Do this every week, keeping your boots smelling fresh.

·         If your shoes have started to fade because of age or cleaning, you can restore the colour with a suede dye. It would be wise to stuff your boots with something to help them hold their shape before you begin to dye them. 

Storage

·         Store suede shoes the same way as leather shoes.

Sneakers and Synthetic shoes:

Synthetic materials are a must-have for modern sports shoes. These shoes are extremely comfortable and very popular for all ages. At the same time, they are durable and easy to maintain.

Cleaning

• Whether you’re dealing with mesh or faux leather, or both, they’re relatively easy to clean.
• Remove the shoelaces, get rid of the dirt and grime, now using a wet sponge on the faux leather and rubber elements of the shoes.
• Then, mix 1 teaspoon of laundry detergent or soap with a cup of water and clean the soft mesh sections.
• Clean the laces by throwing them into a laundry bag and washing them on the delicate setting while doing laundry.

Care

·         Only a transparent waterproof spray on dry, clean shoes to make them water-resistant is required.

Textile shoes, Slippers and flip flops

The great feature of these footwear is their breath-ability and low maintenance, as many are made out of fabric and are machine-washable or of rubber and can be cleaned with soap and water with an old tooth brush.

Cleaning 

• If your textile shoes are machine-washable, just remove any big chunks of dirt with a wet sponge or toothbrush and wash them on a delicate cycle using laundry detergent.
• If, however, your textile shoes have to be hand-washed, mix some laundry detergent with baking soda into a paste, take a toothbrush and scrub away until they look clean. If you’re cleaning slippers with fuzzy elements on them, wash them with your hands instead of scrubbing with a brush. 
• When you’re done cleaning the shoes, rinse and tap with a dry cloth to remove excess water. Doesn’t squeeze or wring them out otherwise, their shape will be ruined.