Any shoe must be looked after, no matter what material it is made of. This ensures its neat appearance and long life. How to care for faux leather shoes? The best ways and means are presented in the article.
Pros and cons
Artificial leather has its advantages:
- Availability. Low price is considered the main advantage, because of which many choose such products. Genuine leather costs significantly higher.
- Durability and reliability. Modern processing methods are used to make shoes durable. Therefore, it is able to serve several seasons.
- Comfort. The material is elastic, so it will be comfortable for the legs.
The disadvantages include the difficulty of care. Moreover, if this is done incorrectly, the material will deteriorate. The disadvantage is flammability.
Proper care
How to care for faux leather shoes? Care does not involve the purchase of many expensive products, from which many expect excellent results. Before using any purchased or prepared compound, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the type of leatherette.
Sometimes a substitute is made not only for smooth skin, for this reason it is necessary to take into account the technique for the care of shoes made of velor. It can also be suede or nubuck. Caring for shoes made of artificial leather involves the use of the following tools:
- Cream. It should be suitable in color, have moisturizing properties, since the material is prone to drying out.
- Dye to eliminate scuffs and some damage.
- Moisture-repellent creams with natural waxes, paraffins. But these shoe products quickly dry out, which manifests itself in cracking the surface of the composition. Using such creams is not worth it.
- Liquid emulsions that are applied to light products.
- Gloss creams that are included with the sponge.
- Deodorant spray to remove odors.
- Filters in the form of a film or gel, which eliminate strong impurities.
- A brush or sponge used to dry clean.
- Napkin made of flannel.
rules
How to care for faux leather shoes at home so that it stays neat for a long time? Keep in mind the prohibitions that apply to all skin substitutes:
- Shoes made of dermatin and other synthetic materials must not be machine washed, dry cleaned or washed from dirt by absolute immersion in water.
- You can not use ordinary gasoline, acetone-containing solutions, alcohols.
- Negatively acts hot air, direct sunlight.
How to care for faux patent leather shoes? To wash the product, it is necessary to prepare a solution of warm water (0.5 l) and shampoo (10 mg). It is necessary to moisten a cloth in the solution, squeeze it and treat dirty areas. Be sure to pre-clean the product from dirt with a dry foam sponge or brush with natural pile.
Nubuck
How to care for shoes made of artificial leather, if it is nubuck? Such products are less breathable, they wear out faster than real leather. But nubuck is easier to carry moisture, less dust and does not burn much in the sun.
Proper care is done with soft suede brushes. You can use a conventional car vacuum cleaner that gently removes dust and dry dirt. Wet cleaning requires soapy water, which wipes the soles. You can use ammonia diluted with water (1: 3) if the salt stains cannot be removed in the usual way.
Suede and Velor
How to care for artificial leather shoes if it is suede and velor? The material data, created on the basis of cotton, is used for no more than 2 seasons, but if such shoes are worn only in rare cases and its quality care is provided, then the period of operation can be significantly extended.
For artificial suede, a wet wash is allowed, but after the procedure, the product must be dried at room temperature, stuffed with packing paper. In winter, velor or suede retain their appearance, provided that the temperature is not lower than -20 degrees. If the shoe will be used under such extreme conditions, it is preferable to pre-treat it with a nanospray, which improves the stability of products.
New shoes
When buying shoes, you should take a model according to the size of the foot and individual characteristics, since stretching such a skin is a difficult task. Simulation materials are not so plastic and quickly become unusable if they are worn for a long time. Shoelaces should not be tightened tight - punching holes are torn, shoes quickly lose their neat appearance.
After the purchase, it is advisable to treat the shoes with wax or paraffin cream. How to care for faux leather shoes, if only bought? You must do this according to the following rules:
- Only wet dirt that adheres to the sole can be removed from a wet product.
- Cleaning, stain removal, color restoration should be done with dried material.
- Drying should be carried out far from heat dissipators. If you need to dry your shoes in a short time, you should use a hairdryer that is turned on for minimal heat. Dry in this way should be no closer than 30 cm.
Items placed in the box should be checked periodically for dry skin. For prevention, it is necessary to treat with a dry dust brush and treat with a nourishing cream.
Effective remedies
How to care for artificial leather shoes in spring? Care at this time consists in periodic wet and dry cleaning. You also need to use the rules for removing different stains:
- Traces of chocolate and caramel can be removed using a paste made from grated glycerin soap and water.
- Resin, molten rubber are eliminated more easily if a napkin dipped in turpentine oil is applied to the stain for 10 minutes, and then the damaged area is wiped.
- Stains from sweet or dairy drinks can be removed with a soapy solution.
- The melamine sponge allows you to get rid of traces of a ballpoint pen or felt-tip pen.
- Oil oily stains are cleaned with clean turpentine.
- Traces of grass can be removed with lemon juice.
Fresh stains of any kind can be removed with diluted detergent for dishes. Then the remnants of chemistry must be thoroughly wiped with a damp cloth.
Professional Products
If the shoes have just been bought, they do not need creams with coloring or restoring effect. It is advisable not to save on high-quality preventive and caring products:
- Creme de luxe, Saphir. This is a tube with a sponge that will help regulate the intensity of the supply of substances. The cream has resins with fluoride and natural wax. These components retain the desired moisture, protect against cracking, give shine.
- Salton "Shine Express." Cream products are designed for smooth skin that does not need polishing. The tool softens the roughened areas, smoothes microcracks. It also serves as protection against wrinkling of the skin of the shaft or in the place of the sock, where folds often appear. Regular use of the cream ensures long-term skin safety.
All creams and emulsions should be applied only to a clean and dust-worn shoe surface, otherwise leaving will not bring any result. subject to this rule, she will have a neat appearance and ensure long-term operation.
In winter
If products are often subjected to stresses, for example, difficult weather conditions, then they quickly lose their outer gloss and look messy. Therefore, it is advisable for residents of central Russia to have at least 2 pairs of shoes - for frost and slush. In the second case, there should be rubberized insulated boots, and for the first, products made of leatherette are suitable. In winter, salt stains, dirt with road reagents, microdamages from severe frosts can appear on the surface.
How to care for artificial leather shoes in winter? Eliminate the dirt dry or with a brush, dry cloth. After removing most of the contaminants, traces of them can be removed. You can use a solution of glycerin soap or shampoo. A napkin or sponge eliminates the effects of a street stay.
After the cleaning procedure, products should be dried, treated with cream. And at night, you should use a tool to remove unpleasant odors.
In summer
How to care for faux leather shoes in summer? Leaving involves daily dust cleaning and periodic restoration of material damaged during wear. Since the coloring pigment that is added to the leatherette product is not very stable, periodically use dyes suitable for the type of leather of the shoes.
Wet wipes
But these are not classic wet wipes, but special ones. They are used for products of different colors. AV PROLANG and Casablanca wipes are made for artificial leather. With them, the surface is perfectly cleaned, they can be used daily.
Napkins perfectly clean, refresh, keep a beautiful view. Means do not contain substances harmful to the material. They are sold in small packs of 15 and 20 pieces. Excessive moisture is harmful to artificial material, so this cleaning method is more suitable than washing.
Lemon juice
If the shoe has traces of green grass or greasy stains from food, then cleaning is necessary. For this, citric acid or juice of 1 citrus is suitable. This product is safe.
You need to squeeze the juice into a separate bowl. You should take a cotton swab, moisten in a solution and treat the stain. After 5-20 minutes, wash the product with water. Lemon juice is only suitable for fair skin, otherwise the dark version will be spoiled.
Thus, shoe care is not as complicated as it might seem at first glance. If it is done in a timely manner, this will allow her to wear several seasons.