It's important to take good care of your shoes throughout the winter for a number of reasons. First of all, cold and damp weather can seriously harm shoes, resulting in stains, cracks, and decay. Keeping up with shoe maintenance might help you save money on replacements. Also, maintaining your shoes' condition guarantees that they will offer the required warmth and protection come wintertime, as worn-out shoes might no longer be functional.

Well-maintained shoes can improve your confidence and general appearance, leaving a good impression. In the end, taking the effort to properly care for your shoes during the winter months not only helps to preserve them, but it also ensures comfort, style, and long-term cost savings.

Keeping up with shoe maintenance might help you save money on replacements. (Image Credit: Sourced)

Sahil Nandal, who is the co-founder of Free Society, exclusively told Jagran English about the 10 essential shoe care tips for long-lasting footwear.

Sahil said, "Without routine cleaning, it's difficult to keep shoes spotless. You'll want to use your brand-new sneakers outside as soon as you take them out of the box, but this is where they’ll attract dirt, mud, scratches, and stains. The Free Society team believes that it’s crucial to provide your kicks with the correct care and maintenance, including cleaning, to ensure long-term top performance. This can not only increase their longevity but also keep them looking impeccable. With just a few simple actions, you can keep any pair of sneakers looking new, feeling clean, and lasting a long time."

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Selecting The Best Cleaner And Cleaning Regularly: Before cleaning, remove any loose dust and grime using a gentle brush or cloth. To clean the uppers, use a gentle detergent or solution designed for sneakers. Free Society co-founder Sahil Nandal uses a microfiber cleaning cloth available in the "Crep Protect Cure kit" to clean all the hard-to-get spots and avoid all damage to the sneaker upper. Steer clear of strong chemicals that could harm the material. You may use a solution of water and baking soda to brighten white trainers. Sahil uses a scrub sponge eraser, a basic household item for erasing out all marks from sneakers, to bring back the original white color.

Also, the co-founder of Free Society, Shashvat Singhania, uses a soft brush for the upper cleaning of the sneaker, and for the outsole, a hard bristle brush is used to remove the tough stains. Both are available in the ‘Sneaker Lab Deluxe Kit’. You may purchase numerous all-purpose cleaning and conditioner kits if you require a cleaner that is effective on both leather and suede shoes. Spray cleaners are often regarded as the best choice when it comes to the best approach to cleaning your shoes. This is due to the fact that they are simple to use and leave no stains behind.

Air Them Out: Let your sneakers air out after using them or washing them to lessen moisture and odor. If you can, take the insoles off. A confined, wet environment will damage your shoes if left like that for a lengthy amount of time. Shashvat uses the odor repellent spray by Sneaker Lab to eliminate all odor in his sneakers when airing them out. Radiators and hair dryers should not be used since they might deform or harm the materials. Stale insoles can also be refreshed naturally using a deodorizing spray made of essential oils like peppermint and tea tree.

Correct Storage Methods: To avoid fading and material deterioration, store the sneakers somewhere cool, dry, and out of direct sunlight. Sahil Nandal stores sneakers in sneaker crates with stuffing inside each sneaker, as well as a dehumidifier in the room to avoid any deterioration of the shoe. Do not place heavy items on top of your shoes; doing so might lead to deformation.

Sneaker Rotation: Wear different pairs of sneakers sometimes and rotate your collection. They can breathe as a result, which lessens damage. Avoid using sneakers for activities they are not intended for, such as rigorous sports or construction labor, as certain ones are made for comfort and leisure usage.

Spot Cleaning: You should take swift action if you see dirt or stains on your sneakers. With a gentle brush or towel and a light cleanser, clean the uppers and affected areas, taking care to remove any stains or scratches. Use sparingly, as applying too much water might harm some textiles like suede or leather. For these items, a moist towel should be used. Shashvat uses the ‘Reshoevn8r’ suede brush kit to specifically clean and maintain all suede sneakers.

Avoid The Washing Machine: While certain sneakers may be washed in the washing machine, it's usually preferable to hand wash them to prevent possible harm to the adhesive and materials. Avoid using the washing machine and put an end to your laziness. Although it may seem enticing, using the machine will simply damage the sneaker’s materials and cause the stitches to fall away.

Sneaker Shields: Especially for leather or canvas shoes, sneaker shields or toe caps can help avoid creases at the toe area.

Care For Insoles And Laces: To avoid damage to the insole print, Sahil uses transparent cello tape over the logo so it doesn’t rub out when the sneaker is worn. To improve comfort and support, consider getting new insoles for your sneakers if the ones you already have start to show signs of wear or lose their cushioning. To avoid damage, clear the tread of any rocks or other objects lodged there.

Sahil also uses ‘Crep Protect’ cleaning solution mixed with water in a bowl to clean shoelaces. Make sure the fit of your laces is secure but not too tight. This can reduce unnecessary strain on the construction of the shoe. With white laces, avoid using bleach since it might harm the fibers. It's crucial to pay attention to your laces because they're the only thing that keeps your sneakers on your feet. Laces should be changed as soon as you see indications of damage. Additionally, since they can wear out rapidly, you can swap the lace tips out for silicone or leather lace tips, which are stronger and last a lot longer.

Cold and damp weather can seriously harm shoes, resulting in stains, cracks, and decay. (Image Credit: Canva)

Protective Sprays To Protect Them Right Out Of The Box: Shashvat uses ‘Crep Protect’ water-repellent spray to avoid any water damage to the sneaker. Apply again from time to time, especially if you wear shoes a lot in damp weather. To keep dirt and water from harming the surface of your trainers, invest in a decent repellent spray. After taking the shoes out of the box, immediately apply the repellent. Every one to two months, check the exterior for water resistance by pouring a few beads of water on it, and re-spray as necessary.

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Avoid Exposure To Extreme Conditions: Extreme heat, cold, or significant wetness can all harm the materials in your trainers. As high temperatures might harm the materials and adhesives, keep the sneakers away from direct heat sources like radiators, heaters, and open fires. Your shoes may fade and discolor quickly under the sun's intense UV rays, especially if they are constructed of pale-colored materials. When not in use, keep the shoes in a cold, dark location. To avoid sun damage, use a UV protection spray.

At last, Sahil said, "You can help guarantee that your sneakers will stay in outstanding shape and last a long time by adhering to these shoe care guidelines and developing a regular cleaning and maintenance regimen. You want your sneakers to last, since a decent pair can be quite an investment. Use these maintenance suggestions to keep your favorite pairs in excellent condition."