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 reduce the life of our favorite pair of boots. How to properly dry shoes made of different materials and what care they need - read on.
Forget "Grandma's" advice
The first step in high-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 was about shoes. But today it's the 21st century, and there are many other products that are designed specifically for the 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 the feet stay 100% dry even in the biggest downpour. As for winter, they, of course, will not work. Here it is necessary to take a more serious approach to the choice of shoes and give preference to those that are made of 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.
Quickly remove wet shoes
Remove wet boots or shoes as soon as possible - a matter of not only discomfort, but also your he alth. After all, wet feet in frosty weather can quickly lead you to a cold, which is highly undesirable. In addition, shoes made from natural materials can quickly stretch.
How to dry leather, suede or nubuck shoes with 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, take off a pair of wet boots, stuff as many newspapers or napkins into it as possible. This will help absorb excess moisture faster and speed up the drying process. Thus, you can not only dry your shoes, but also keep their shape.
Forbidden tricks when drying shoes
In the question "How to dry shoes properly?" You need to be extremely careful with natural materials. So, they categorically cannot be dried on batteries, a fireplace, stoves orradiators. Also, do 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 should 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: you can’t put the shoes on the floor with the soles when drying. In this case, it is better to hang it carefully by the laces or lay it on its side.
How to dry different materials
Today, the shelves of shoe stores are simply overflowing with exquisite suede boots, more comfortable ones made of leather, nubuck, as well as 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 placed on the battery and other heating devices. This will spoil the look of the boots/shoes and reduce their useful life.
For suede and nubuck shoes, it is better to use a natural drying method: 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 women of fashion still manage to wear varnish until late autumn, as it looks very elegant and stylish. Therefore, they know exactly how to properly dry patent leather shoes.
So, the easiest and surest way to keep the original look of patent leather boots for as long as possible is to use special soft cloths and sprays that are designed specifically for this material. And yet you do not need to shoe such products in the cold. Literally after a couple of such exits, the surface may crack, and after that you will not be able to fix them for sure.
Using a special dryer
To the question "How to dry shoes in winter?" Today there are many answers. One of them is with the help of a special electric dryer. This device usually consists of two mini-heaters that need to be inserted inside the shoe, and a cord that connects to an outlet. Now there are several types of such dryers: with metal heaters and ceramic ones. The latter are able to reach the desired temperature as quickly as possible, dry the shoes in the minimum time and not spoil their quality.
Also for those who do not have a modern dryer, a blower will be the best option. Socks or mittens should be put on the mini-heaters of this appliance and inserted into a pair of shoes. The device begins to generate air at a temperature of 60 degrees, thanks to which it will quickly dry wet boots.
The question "How to dry shoes on a battery?" also needs a special approach. And here it is impossible not to clarify that it is impossible to put boots made of natural material directly on a heating device. It is necessary to create a barrier between them: you can use a towel or otherfabric that won't let suede or leather 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.
- Strong yet flexible cord leading to outlet.
- The average heating temperature should be 50-60 degrees, the time should be 10-20 minutes.
- As for the material of manufacture, it is better to give preference to ceramics. Unlike metal, it is more gentle on shoes.
Additional recommendations
If you don't have an electric dryer and your boots get wet, you can use the following tips:
Hair dryer. Turn on the cold air or slightly warm mode and dry the shoes. Do not fully insert the device into the boot, as there is a risk of a short circuit
- S alt heated in a frying pan can also help out in this situation. Pour it into an old stocking and put it inside. If necessary, change the stocking for a new one and so on until the pair of shoes is dry.
- If you are “lucky” to get your feet wet in nature, then take off 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 tricks on how to properly dry winter shoes, as well as sneakers, sneakers, shoes and moccasins, will becomeuseful to you. In order for shoes to always be flawless and look perfect, it is important to choose high-quality materials, which require gentle care in the future, including drying.
