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All about shoes

From Cynthia Nellis,
Your Guide to Women's Fashion.
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Take care

You've found the shoes of your dreams (maybe even a tight, tall pair of leather boots!) and brought them home. You may know fashion, but may be clueless about the best way to care for your shoes. Here are some tips:

  • Use shoe trees between wearings to help shoes retain their shape.
  • Let shoes rest on the trees at least 12 hours between wearing.
  • Clean off dirt after every wear with a soft brush or rag.
  • Always use a shoehorn for putting on your shoes.
  • Stop new suedes from "crocking" (rubbing off on clothes) by rubbing vigorously with a towel.
  • Exotic skins need extra care -- use special cleaners and conditioners.
  • Use water and stain repellant on suede and nubuck shoes before you wear them. When water stops beading up, respray.
Polishing smooth leather in a nutshell
  1. Clean the shoes with a leather cleaner to get the grime off the top.
  2. Condition the leather to soften. Use a cream a shade lighter than the shoe to cover scratches.
  3. Use paste, wax or cream polish to shine your shoes.
  4. Weatherproof your shoes.
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