How to care for patent leather shoes?

Lacquered shoes and boots look very advantageous and attractive, but in order to maintain this pleasant appearance, it is necessary to observe some recommendations for the care of patent leather shoes and to handle them carefully.

Features patent leather shoes

Such shoes do not like strong temperature fluctuations, they feel bad both in cold weather (even a small -10 degrees will already be enough to crack the surface) and in excessive heat (at + 25, the varnish coating may begin to melt). And thermal protective agents, although effective, are not omnipotent, and at +40 degrees there will be little sense from them. The surface of the shoe may crack not only from the cold, but also when worn frequently in wet weather.

Buying patent leather boots for the 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.

Daily Care Rules

After each putting on, varnished leather shoes must be looked after: clean from accumulated dust and dirt with a damp soft cloth or sponge. Periodically, you should lubricate it with special creams designed specifically for varnished products. They are made on a water basis, which means that they will not damage the material. Instead of creams, it is permissible to use petroleum jelly, glycerin or vegetable oil. They are applied to the shoes for 10-15 minutes, and then the surplus must be cleaned with a napkin or soft cloth so that subsequently dirt and dust do not stick to them.

If, however, it so happened that the varnish shoes were wet, they should never be forced to dry at home, that is, a hairdryer, an electric dryer or a battery. You should not even put it in direct sunlight, since the varnish from this usually dims. Large drops of water must be wiped off with a rag, and crumpled newspapers or plain office paper can be put inside. Firstly, it absorbs excess water from the inside, and secondly, it will not allow wet shoes to lose their shape.

Tip

It is worth noting that most manufacturers provide recommendations for the care of patent leather shoes on the packaging or in the instructions inside the box.

Recommendations

1. Do not use solvents such as White Spirit, acetone, gasoline on the lacquered surface, because they will leave dull spots. For the same reason, it is not recommended to care for patent leather using ordinary alcohol-based products for shoes.
2. Washing patent shoes as often as, say, rubber slippers is not worth it. 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.
3. To remove any kind of impurities and give the varnish products a fresh look, it is recommended to wipe them with a cloth moistened with milk.
4. So that the shoes do not deform, they must be worn with a horn.
5. If the varnish shoes rub your feet a little, then you can treat the backs with a candle or soap, or grease with a little castor oil.
6. Shine for patent leather shoes at home - raw egg white. It is very easy to polish the varnish surface with the help of half the onion. But in order for the smell to disappear from her, shoes should not be cleaned in the closet for at least a few days.
7. If cracks appeared on the patent leather, despite all the precautions, then it is better to entrust their elimination to an experienced shoemaker. In the absence of such an opportunity, you can resort to the help of restoring creams or gently cover the cracks with nail polish in color or with an eyeliner.

Storage

It is not recommended to store many shoes together in one heap. Each pair should be packed in a fabric cover (but not in plastic bags) or wrapped with paper, put crumpled paper or plastic spacers or pads inside, which will help shoes not to clump, and put them in ventilated boxes. The temperature in the closet, where the shoes will lie until the next season, should be room temperature - within 15-20 degrees. Folding shoe boxes on an unheated raw balcony is not worth it. And before you put the shoes on for seasonal storage, they need to be cleaned, ventilated and polished.

In order for the shoes to last a long time, it is important not only to properly care for patent leather, but also to initially choose high-quality goods. When buying, you must ensure the integrity and uniformity of the color of the varnish surface and check for bending (a good varnish will not wrinkle or crack at the same time).