Saturday, October 11, 2014

The Best Leather Shoe Care Products

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By Jocelyn Davidson


Shoes are an intricate part of any wardrobe and when selecting them choosing footwear that will last and be comfortable is very important. Beyond the stylish look of the shoes you select is deciding the ways and means to keep them looking like new and available for continued use over the years. Selection of the leather shoe care products you will use for this purpose can make a major difference in results achieved.

Regardless of where you learn how to do it, you will need to purchase several specific items before you can begin treatment of your shoes. Many times the items you need can be found in kits obtained locally or online. These kits should contain the basic necessities required to shine, protect and preserve high quality footwear.

Polishes are part of the front line for protecting high quality shoes. This can be accomplished with liquid or wax polish. Waxes need to be brushed or rubbed to provide the sheen desired while liquids are designed to shine with no buffing or brushing. You will want to wear gloves while working on the shoes to prevent staining your hands with the dyes used in these items. Protection for your work surface is also recommended.

An immediate solution for solving issues with dirty or scuffed shoes can be found by using a shine cream. This product offers a quick means of cleaning and shining your shoes wherever you may be and can be helpful in work situations where you must look your best. This may not be helpful as a full time grooming tool because it gives no protection from water or the elements that harsh weather brings.

Replacing the oils needed to keep your footwear soft and pliant is essential. One product available is called mink oil renovator. Another mink oil product is designed for footwear used outdoors such as work boots. This oil cleans, repairs and water proofs the surface of the boots. For best results the oil should be allowed to sit on the exterior surfaces of shoes for up to thirty minutes prior to applying polish. Consistent use will help to prevent cracking and keep leather soft and comfortable.

Applying an oil based conditioner during the off seasons will help preserve the condition of footwear. It is brushed over all exposed surfaces and left in place until the shoes are needed again. The process of allowing the shoes to absorb needed oils for long periods of time helps to keep them soft and ready for future use.

Basic ingredients included in commercial conditioners include coconut or other oils, lanolin and some form of wax, usually bees wax is used because it is a natural ingredient. You can find recipes for home made conditioners online that are very simple to make and less expensive as well as possibly better for the shoes because it causes no build up of oil and wax.

With a little practice most people will be able to maintain the new look and quality of leather footwear but if time or desire to do it is a problem there are shops locally that will happily take care of this task for you.




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