How to properly care for patent leather shoes?
Patent leather shoes and boots look very advantageous and attractive, but in order to maintain this pleasant appearance, you need to follow some recommendations for caring for patent leather shoes and handle them carefully.
Features of patent leather shoes
Such shoes do not like strong temperature fluctuations; they do not feel good both in frost (even a small one, -10 degrees will be enough for the surface to crack) and in excessive heat (at + 25 the varnish coating can begin to melt). And thermal protective agents, although effective, are not omnipotent, and at +40 degrees they will be of little use. The surface of shoes can crack not only from the cold, but also from frequent wear in wet weather.
Buying patent leather boots for a cold winter will be completely impractical. And in the summer, wearing such sandals or shoes will lead to increased sweating, because the varnish clogs the pores of the skin, and the material does not breathe at all. In general, patent leather shoes are not designed for everyday wear; this wardrobe item is better suited for special occasions and dry autumn or spring days.
Rules for daily care
After each wearing, leather shoes coated with varnish must be looked after: cleaned of accumulated dust and dirt with a damp soft cloth or sponge. Periodically you should lubricate it with special creams intended specifically for varnished products. They are made on a water basis, which means they will not harm the material.Instead of creams, it is permissible to use Vaseline, glycerin or vegetable oil. They are applied to the shoes for 10-15 minutes, and then the excess must be removed with a napkin or soft cloth so that dirt and dust do not stick to them later.
If it does happen that patent leather shoes get wet, under no circumstances should they be forced to dry at home, i.e. with a hairdryer, electric dryer or near a radiator. You shouldn’t even expose it to direct sunlight, as this usually causes the varnish to fade. Large drops of water should be wiped off with a rag, and crumpled newspapers or regular office paper can be placed inside. Firstly, it will absorb excess water from the inside, and secondly, it will not allow wet shoes to lose their shape.
Advice
It is worth noting that most manufacturers provide recommendations for caring for patent leather shoes on the packaging or in the instructions inside the box.
Recommendations
- Do not use solvents such as white spirit, acetone, or gasoline on the varnished surface, as they will leave dull stains. For the same reason, it is not recommended to care for patent leather using conventional alcohol-containing shoe products.
- You shouldn’t wash patent leather shoes as often as, say, rubber slippers. However, if it is so dirty that it is impossible to remove the dirt otherwise, then it can be “washed” in warm soapy water, then wiped thoroughly and allowed to dry naturally.
- To remove any kind of dirt and give varnish products a fresh look, it is recommended to wipe them with a cloth soaked in milk.
- To prevent shoes from becoming deformed, they must be put on with a horn.
- If patent leather shoes rub your feet a little on the back, you can treat the heels with a candle or soap, or lubricate them with a small amount of castor oil.
- A remedy for adding shine to patent leather shoes at home is raw egg white. It is very easy to polish the varnish surface using half an onion. But in order for the smell to disappear, the shoes should not be put in the closet for at least a few days.
- If, despite all precautions, cracks still appear on patent leather, then it is better to entrust their elimination to an experienced shoemaker. If this is not possible, you can resort to restorative creams or carefully cover the cracks with colored nail polish or eyeliner.
Storage
It is not recommended to store many shoes together in one pile. Each pair should be packed in a fabric case (but not in plastic bags) or wrapped in paper, crumpled paper or plastic spacers or pads should also be placed inside, which will help the shoes not to pack, and placed in ventilated boxes. The temperature in the closet, where the shoes will be kept until next season, should be room temperature - within 15-20 degrees. You shouldn’t put shoeboxes on an unheated, damp balcony. And before putting shoes away for seasonal storage, they need to be cleaned, aired and polished.
In order for shoes to last a long time, it is important not only to properly care for patent leather, but also to initially choose a quality product. When purchasing, you need to make sure that the varnish surface is intact and uniform in color and check it for bending (a good varnish will not wrinkle or crack).