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Professor Omri Gillath has come to the conclusion that shoes can tell up to 90% of information about their owner. For example, the shoes that are not new but still look good signal that the owner is responsible. Hotheaded people prefer tight half-boots. Well, people are often judged by their shoes, that’s why you should always keep them clean and tidy.
Scuffs and scratches on leather shoes
Over time, scuffs and scratches can appear on leather shoes and they end up looking old and wrinkled. But the leather on shoes is the same as the skin on our bodies so that’s why we should put special cream on it. Put the cream on your shoes, leave them for a couple of hours, and then polish them. You also can use baby cream or vaseline instead.
Stains from new shoes
It sometimes happens that new shoes can leave stains on your socks, stockings, and even your feet. Talcum powder can help you prevent this from happening. Rub it on the inner surface of your new shoes and use a good amount of it. Take a clean piece of cloth and collect the remains of the powder. You can also use baby powder or starch instead.
Washing sneakers
Many washing machines have a special mode for washing sneakers but we don’t recommend using it. The thing is, there is a risk that you will damage your sneakers. The water will get inside the soles so when they dry, they will shrink and lose their original shape.
Wash them manually: take off the laces, get rid of the insoles, and wash them carefully. Use a toothbrush for really difficult spots. You can use some alcohol to disinfect the shoes from the inside.
Whiten the sole
Toothpaste is not only good for your teeth – it can also be used to whiten the soles of your shoes. Just take an old toothbrush and clean the soles of your shoes with toothpaste for a few minutes. You will notice a dramatic improvement!
Unpleasant smell
Everyone has seen car air fresheners. They are great for getting rid of unpleasant smells inside shoes – just put such a freshener inside the shoe and leave it overnight. If it doesn’t help and the smell doesn’t disappear, it means it’s time to change the insoles. The low-quality material that insoles are often made of lead to a bad smell so you should buy insoles made of natural materials, especially those that contain a layer of coal. They absorb moisture really well and don’t let bad smells appear.
Drying shoes correctly
Shoes should never be dried on a radiator. In fact, you should keep them away from high temperatures to avoid deformation. In order to dry completely, shoes need from 24 to 48 hours. That’s why you should have a few pairs of shoes for every season so you have something to wear while one pair is drying. But if you have no time to wait, you can use a hairdryer. But remember: you can only use cold air!
Stains on shoes made of suede and nubuck
A regular eraser will help you take care of such materials. When rubbing on the surface, the eraser will break and get inside the fibers. The pieces of the eraser will stick to the dirt and then leave the suede or nubuck.
A nail file can also be useful but you should be careful with it in order not to damage the shoes.
Salt stains
During the cold seasons, the streets are covered in chemicals that can damage shoes and leave ugly stains on them. To get rid of them, you will need vinegar. Mix it with water in the proportion of 1:3 and wash the shoes with a soft tissue. You should do this every time you come home.
Soaked shoes
If you got soaked in the rain or stepped into a puddle, don’t put the shoes on the radiator. It’s better to put regular rice into a cotton bag and put it in the shoes. Rice absorbs moisture really well and a few drops of essential oil will help you get rid of the bad smell.
If you have a cat at home, you can use cat litter instead of rice as it absorbs water just as well.
Dirt on shoes made of bright fabric
It can be quite hard to clean flats and slip-on because they lose their color and shape after washing. In order not to damage your favorite shoes, you should use lemon juice. It will remove the dirt carefully and won’t ruin the color. It can actually even improve it. If there is a lot of dirt, you should rub the problem areas and leave them for 20-30 minutes and then wash them with water.
The shine of patent shoes
Patent shoes lose their shine over time and small scratches appear on them. In order to avoid this, put vaseline on the shoes. This is a cheap alternative to special chemicals and it’s just as effective.
Shoe protection
Wax is a universal and very effective thing that is good for almost any shoes. Use special wax or just a wax candle. Even a thin layer will protect your shoes from water and dirt for a long time. And it will also keep them shining for a long period of time.
Putting shoes on correctly
Using a shoehorn every day is a good and useful habit that prevents a lot of problems. Not using a shoehorn means that the back of your shoes will lose shape very quickly and won’t provide enough support for your ankle, which might lead to trauma and calluses. If you don’t have a shoehorn to use, take any plastic card – it will allow your foot to slide in easily.
Bonus: Wear your high heels without experiencing pain or exhaustion.
Top model Marie Helvin shared her secret and now many girls use it: you need to tape the third and the fourth toes on your feet. When walking in high heels, most of the pressure rests on the front part of the foot and the toes and this trick helps distribute the weight.
