In winter, one of the most important problems in the operation of shoes is the frequent drying of products, as well as the effect of moisture on leather, suede, nubuck and other materials from which it is sewn. So, many of us make gross mistakes that significantly shorten the life of our beloved pair of boots. How to dry shoes from different materials and what care they need - read on.
Forget Grandma's Tips
The first thing in quality shoe care is to completely abandon such old methods as formalin, ammonia, turpentine, wax and paraffin. All of them were once the first when the question concerned shoes. But today the 21st century is in the yard, and there are many other products that are specifically designed to take care of boots, shoes and sneakers.
Rubber boots
Many who follow all the canons of fashion completely refuse such seemingly tasteless shoes as rubber boots. However, it is they who are able to help your feet stay 100% dry even in the largest rainfall. As for winter, they certainly will not work. Here it is necessary to take the choice of shoes more seriously and give preference to the one that is sewn from natural material. This is because artificial products, after frequent contact with moisture, quickly lose their attractiveness and become dull, begin to crack and lose their luster.
Take off your wet shoes quickly
Taking off wet boots or shoes as soon as possible is not only a matter of discomfort, but also of your health. After all, wet feet in frosty weather can quickly lead you to a cold, which is extremely undesirable. In addition, shoes made from natural materials can quickly stretch.
How to dry shoes made of leather, suede or nubuck improvised means? As mentioned above, it is better not to use chemicals for drying shoes such as formalin or paraffin. But the old and proven method with the help of crumpled newspapers works very well and is absolutely harmless. Therefore, if possible, removing a pair of wet boots, cram into it as many newspapers or napkins as possible. This will help to absorb excess moisture faster and speed up the drying process. Thus, you can not only dry the shoes, but also keep its shape.
Prohibited Shoe Drying Techniques
In the question “How to dry shoes properly?” One must be extremely careful with natural materials. So, they absolutely can not be dried on batteries, a fireplace, stoves or radiators. Also, you can not leave shoes made of leather or suede under the scorching sun. After washing, do not leave a pair of sneakers to dry in the machine. They must be left in the room and allowed to dry naturally.
Also, if you are interested in how to properly dry shoes that are completely made of leather, including the sole of the product, you should know the following: do not put the sole on the floor during drying. In this case, it is better to carefully hang it by the laces or put it on its side.
How to dry products from different materials
To date, the shelves of shoe stores are simply crowded with exquisite suede boots, more comfortable in leather, nubuck, and patent leather. Each of these materials needs a special approach when drying. Therefore, not everyone knows how to properly dry leather shoes in winter. So, such products can not be put on the battery and other heating devices. This will spoil the appearance of the boots / shoes and reduce their shelf life.
For shoes made of suede and nubuck, it is better to use the natural method of drying: after cleaning, leave at room temperature and wait for the product to dry completely. As for patent leather boots, they are considered the least practical and practically unsuitable for winter and severe frosts. However, many fashionistas still manage to wear varnish until late autumn, as it looks very elegant and stylish. Therefore, they know exactly how to dry shoes made of varnished leather.
So, the easiest and surest way to keep the original appearance of patent leather boots for as long as possible is to use special soft rags and sprays that are designed specifically for such a material. And you still don’t need to shoe these products in the cold. Literally after a couple of such outings, the surface may crack, and after that you will not be able to fix them accurately.
Using a special dryer
To the question “How to dry shoes in winter?” Today there are many answers. One of them is using a special electric dryer. This device, as a rule, consists of two mini-heaters that need to be inserted inside the shoe, and a cord connecting to the outlet. Now there are several types of such dryers: with metal heaters and ceramic. The latter are able to quickly get the desired temperature, dry the shoes in the shortest possible time and not spoil its quality.
Also, for those who do not have a modern dryer, an blower will be the best option. On mini-heaters of this device you need to wear socks or mittens and insert into a pair of shoes. The device begins to generate air at a temperature of 60 degrees, so it will quickly dry wet boots.
The question “How to dry shoes on a battery properly?” Also needs a special approach. And here it is impossible not to clarify that it is impossible to lay boots made of natural material directly on the heating device. It is necessary to create a barrier between them: you can use a towel or other fabric that will not allow suede or skin to dry out.
What should be a quality dryer
If you decide to purchase a special shoe dryer on the eve of winter, you must follow these rules when choosing it:
- A high-quality device does not have cracks, crevices and glue residues on the surface.
- Robust yet flexible cord leading to a power outlet.
- The average heating temperature should be 50-60 degrees, the time - 10-20 minutes.
- As for the material of manufacture, it is better to give preference to ceramics. It, unlike metal, is more gentle in relation to shoes.
Additional recommendations
If you don’t have an electric dryer and your boots are wet, then you can use the following tips:
- Hair dryer. Turn on cold or slightly warm and dry your shoes. Do not completely insert the device inside the boot, as there is a risk of shorting.
- Salt, heated in a pan, can also help out in this situation. Pour it into the old stocking and put it inside. If necessary, change the stocking to a new one until the pair of shoes is dry.
- If you are “lucky” to wet your feet in nature, then remove your shoes, put them on sticks and carefully lift them over the fire. The key word is neat! Keep a safe distance between fire and shoes.
We hope that the above tips and recommendations on how to dry winter shoes, as well as sneakers, sneakers, shoes and moccasins, will be useful to you. In order for the shoes to always be perfect and look perfect, it is important to choose high-quality materials, which in the future need careful care, including drying.