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Keeping your footwear clean can often feel like a major chore that nobody wants to do!

But here’s the catch: it doesn’t always have to be a long and tiresome process.

In this blog, we’ll break down the Dos and Don’ts for proper footwear care, because ALL your shoes deserve a second chance at life!

Read on to learn more.

Here’s What NOT To Do When It Comes To Footwear Care

1. Don’t Let Your Shoes Sit In Mud or Debris

One of the biggest mistakes people often make when it comes to footwear care is letting their shoes sit overnight or sometimes even days in mud or debris.

If you’ve worn your shoes on a particularly rainy and muddy day, once you have returned home, carefully wipe them down with a soft cloth and allow them to air dry before storing them away.

2. Don’t Vigorously Scrub Shoes With Hard-Bristled Brushes

While it might seem like scrubbing hard at a stain will help remove it, this often causes more harm.

Vigorous scrubbing can often remove dyes, scratch the fabric, and damage the integrity of the shoe overall.

Instead, use a soft-bristle brush to gently dust off any hardened debris, followed by the recommended cleaning product and a soft cloth for application. For stains, blotting usually works better than rubbing, especially on delicate materials.

3. Don’t Store Shoes in Damp Areas

Honestly, dampness is the enemy of so many things, because where there is dampness, there is room for bacteria to thrive!

For shoes specifically, excess moisture can and will cause unpleasant odours.

Always give your shoes enough time to air dry before storing them away. Additionally, using moisture-absorbing packets inside your storage containers is a great preventative measure.

4. Don’t Put Your Shoes In A Washing Machine

We know, the washing machine might seem like the easier choice for cleaning, but we promise you, it's not worth the risk!

The tumbling action that takes place in the washing machine can deform your shoes and separate the glued sections. Additionally, bold colours tend to bleed in a washing machine, which is not ideal for your shoes and the other items you choose to wash them with.

Always opt for handwashing, as this will allow you to apply pressure on the correct areas while being gentle on the rest.

5. Don’t Use Heat to Dry Your Shoes

We know it can seem tempting to dry your shoes in the tumble dryer, or with a hairdryer, but let us advise you: this is a terrible idea!

Using heat can shrink your shoes, warp the material, and cause serious structural damage.

Instead, allow them to air dry naturally in a well-ventilated spot, away from direct sunlight.

Footwear Care for Specific Fabrics

When using creams & polishes on your shoes, always refer to the label on your shoe and on your products, to ensure that they are compatible. You should never use products that don’t specify that they are compatible with the material in question.

● Leather Shoe Care Tips

Leather is often celebrated for its durability, and when cared for properly, it can certainly last a lifetime! The key is to avoid drying it out. This means never letting it stand in direct sunlight for too long or using heating tools to dry them.

Also, ensure that you are using a suitable leather conditioner to help hydrate this material.

● Caring for Suede Shoes

Suede is best known for its nap (the soft, velvet-like texture).

One thing to note about this material: it does not handle water well! So, it’s probably best reserved for warmer and drier days.

This material also requires a special suede brush that keeps the nap intact when used to brush debris off. It is also recommended to take preventative measures and use a water & stain repellent for this type of shoe.

● Knit Fabrics

When it comes to knitted shoes, gentle care is key. Wash them by hand using mild detergent, and avoid wringing or hanging them to dry, as knitted fabrics are prone to stretching. Instead, reshape them and let them air dry flat.

Give Your Footwear The Second Life It Deserves

Caring for your footwear can increase its lifespan significantly. And, in the grand scheme of things, this is exactly what we should aim to do: to avoid waste.

Moreover, caring for them does not need to be one crazy, complicated process, especially if you are keeping up with general maintenance and preventive measures after each use.

Remember, stains and cracks are more likely to develop when shoes are left in debris for long periods.

At Cable & Co., we believe every pair of shoes deserves to look and feel its best, no matter how many steps you’ve taken in them. So, treat your footwear with the same care you gave it when you first fell in love with it; your future self (and your favourite pair) will thank you.