Winter shoes do not belong on the heater and should not be worn every day. Why that? And what tips should you keep in mind for cleaning? Tips and Tricks.
Berlin – In these gray days we should all be more like children again. Jump happily in puddles and walk straight into the snow instead of carefully avoiding both because your shoes could get dirty. Because they can take it – if you know these tricks:
How do wet shoes dry again quickly?
You shouldn’t speed it up. “On no account should they be placed on the heater or treated with a hair dryer. Then they become brittle and cracked,” says Claudia Schulz from the Federal Association of the Shoe and Leather Goods Industry. Absorbent papers such as newspaper pages and kitchen roll, which you stuff inside the shoe, are helpful.
But then they just need time to dry. Depending on the material, the shoes can only be treated with a color-coordinated shoe polish or other care products when there is no more moisture in them. These must have a good effect, after which it can be polished. The shoes then have to be re-impregnated.
Is it true that you shouldn’t wear shoes every day?
In fact, it makes sense to own several pairs of changeover winter boots. “Even if the shoes haven’t gotten very wet, you should always wait a day or two before wearing them again,” says Claudia Schulz.
Incidentally, this applies to all closed shoes in all seasons. Because moisture collects in the materials, up to a shot glass full every day. Therefore, the shoes must be able to exhale. “Leather shoes particularly need this rest period. They need up to 20 hours to dry,” says Arno Carius, President of the Central Association of German Shoemakers.
It is best to use a shoe tree when shoes are not being worn. This is how you avoid creases. It is important that the shoe tree is made of unpainted wood and has the right size. Under no circumstances should shoes be in plastic bags, otherwise mold can form.
Cotton or linen shoe bags are an alternative to shelf space. “The cardboard boxes in which the shoes were bought are also practical,” says Claudia Schulz. “If you stick photos of the shoes on the front, no pair will be forgotten.”
How do I better prevent wet feet in the shoe?
No shoe should be left outside the door in autumn or winter without being impregnated – regardless of whether it is new or has been worn for a long time. This keeps water and dirt out better. Depending on the stress and wetness, you should therefore repeat this from time to time. “The impregnation and care products that are usually offered at the checkout when you buy shoes make sense if the product is of high quality,” says Claudia Schulz.
A tip for use: waterproofing sprays should never be used in closed rooms, but only outdoors.
Can I use one spray for all shoes?
No. “80 percent of shoes today are no longer made of leather, but consist entirely or partially of synthetic materials,” says Arno Carius. “The material depends on how the shoe needs to be cared for. Unsuitable products can damage or even destroy it.”
According to Schulz, genuine leather in particular is quite sensitive. Care products that are expressly suitable for this should be used here. But suede leather needs a different waterproofing protection. And Bernd Glassl from the Body Care and Detergent Industry Association adds: “Due to their open pores, shoes made of suede should be impregnated thoroughly and more frequently than shoes made of other materials.”
There are also special products for high-tech materials or other fabrics and for imitation leather. If you are unsure whether it is real or artificial leather, you will find corresponding pictograms in or sometimes on the shoe.
By the way, the basic impregnation has another positive effect for textile upper materials and shoes made of material combinations: Since it also protects against dirt, the shoes have to be cleaned less often. And that, in turn, extends their lifespan.
What is the best way to remove the dirt?
Surprise: According to the experts, good old shoe polish is taboo for many materials. “Shoe polish is generally not suitable for shoes made of synthetic materials. It would leave unsightly stains,” says Arno Carius. “Shoes like this can be cleaned with special sprays or cleaning foam.” Suede leather and suede should also not be cleaned with shoe polish.
Remaining snow edges are a challenge because they usually also contain road salt. The edges can be dissolved with water and a mild cleaning agent, but that is not always enough. “For stubborn stains, a mixture of two parts water and one part vinegar that is not too hot will help,” is the tip from master shoemaker Carius. “If you work carefully, it even works with leather shoes.”
How do I get the winter shoes through next summer?
Ideally, the thick boots, boots and lace-up shoes should be well cleaned and with a shoe tree in the closet during the summer and wait for the next use in the cold season.
Anyone who has taken the trouble to clean their warm shoes well and pamper them with appropriate care at the end of winter will have it easy the next time they are cleared out: “Just remove the dust with a soft cloth, impregnate well and you’re ready to go. This is how the shoe withstands rain, snow and mud,” says master shoemaker Arno Carius. dpa
