Take a look in your closet. If you see a pair of shoes that you’ve been clinging to your years, you need to read on.
Everyone has a favorite pair of sneakers. These are the shoes that have been laced onto your feet through countless adventures. Even though they are getting up there in age, it would break your heart to toss them.
Fortunately, there is a way to repair them. Just because they are old sneakers, they don’t have to look that way.
This is an introductory guide to understanding shoe restoration. In no time, your best kicks will be looking brand-new.
Understand the Materials
Every pair of shoes is different. There are quite a few different materials used in making sneakers. Leather, mesh, canvass, suede, rubber, and plastic are only a few of the materials that can go into a shoe. Do not be surprised if you have a sneaker with more than one of these
The trick to restoring your pair begins with knowing what it’s made of. You won’t use the same tools and materials for every fabric. Therefore, you need to determine what you are dealing with.
If you can’t tell, there are guides that can help.
Technical Tips
Now that you have determined what your shoe’s materials are, it’s time for sneaker restoration. Listed below are some maintenance tips for common materials. You’ll see what tools you should use for each.
Rubber Soles
To clean the years of dirt off your rubber soles, try acetone. You can get acetone at any hardware store.
Dab a small amount on a clean rag and gently wipe down the rubber. You’ll get them back to that brand-new white gleam.
Suede
Suede is a very fragile material. When it comes to restoring shoes, suede needs the most care. Never put suede shoes in a washing machine. If you want to work on suede, use a brass bristled brush. These are specifically designed to clean and make suede softer.
Leather
Use polish or leather conditioner if need be. These will clean and protect the leather accents on your shoes. If the leather is a unique color, stick with clear polish.
Canvass
Canvass is a tough and durable material. If the shoe is only canvass and rubber, you are safe to throw them in the wash. If you are hesitant to do so, mix a laundry detergent and water solution. Scrub problem areas with a toothbrush.
Damaged Coloring
If the colored leather is worn away, try acrylic leather paints made for shoes. Test the paint first to ensure the color matches. There is paint for every sneaker colorway.
You are Ready for Shoe Restoration
With this guide, you are ready to practice shoe restoration. Keep these tips in mind and your old shoes will look good for years to come. Here’s to walking many more miles in your favorite kicks.
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