How to take care of winter shoes?

It seems that spring has settled here for good. Are you also preparing for spring cleaning and dreaming of wearing summer dresses and sneakers or sandals? Do you know how to take care of winter shoes? If not, be sure to read this article!

I guess everyone would like to have a wardrobe as organized as the Perfect Housewife - a separate wardrobe for shoes, drawers for accessories.
and jewelry, identical, evenly hanging hangers with colorful bows and shoes neatly lying in transparent boxes. Without a doubt - it's great! But who has time for that? Who has so much determination? And above all: who wants to spend a fortune on hangers and transparent boxes? Or maybe it's better to use this money to buy new ballet flats or sneakers? If you want your shoe cabinet to be tidy but without a week of cleaning, follow the rules below.

The goals are clear:

We don't want to be surprised by a broken zipper or a missing fleece in November.

Shoes must be in the best possible condition.

And the wardrobe has to be tidy.

First, we do a thorough review of footwear from the fall and winter season. We look at the soles, check if the zippers are not stuck and the soles are not detaching from the vamp. We choose shoes that are suitable for regeneration and take them to a shoemaker's shop. If the sole is cracked, the heels are broken or twisted, or the lining is worn - then there is nothing that can be done. It's best to put such shoes under the trash can, maybe they will be used by someone else or just throw them away. The costs of regenerating footwear after winter start at around PLN 20 and end at PLN 100.

At this stage, it is worth looking through all winter and autumn shoes. If some shoes have not been used for two seasons, it is best to give them away, sell them or exchange them. The Internet offers many possibilities. There is no point in keeping shoes in the closet that we will move from place to place. It is not true that shoes that are not worn do not deteriorate. If they are not properly protected, they may deform, change color, fade and even crack.

At this point, it would be good to remind ourselves about the shoes we wear at work. If you have been changing your shoes at work throughout the fall and winter, it is worth checking their condition and having them regenerated. Maybe the laces need replacing or the skin wants moisture? Or maybe your Wellington boots need a new sock? In spring you will probably change your shoes less often, so this is a good time to think about regeneration.

Once you receive your shoes from repair, check if you need new insoles or laces. Maybe it would be worth replacing them and not thinking about it in six months?

And now the most important thing: shoes that have already been regenerated or those that do not need repair, we clean them thoroughly and get rid of sand
from the sole, shake it out so that nothing is left inside and apply a thick layer of shoe polish, but do not polish them! We stuff the prepared shoes with newspapers and arrange them evenly in boxes. We can put a piece of cotton wool in the box
with a drop or two of essential oil. We can choose the scent at our discretion. We recommend lavender, gardenia or sandalwood.

If you have problems with an unpleasant smell, it is best to pour a few tablespoons of baking soda into old socks (they must not have holes) and put them in your shoes before stuffing them with newspapers. Baking soda absorbs unpleasant odors and disinfects. Your shoes will be as good as new!

When all the shoes lie peacefully in the closet and fall asleep in spring, it is worth considering whether we will need new shoes in the upcoming winter season. If so, it's worth checking out the sale offers! 

Remember that well-kept shoes will serve you better and longer!