Previously, you've been warned about which toxins to avoid in makeup. As Spring welcomes all the birds, blooms, and bees; it's time to breathe new life into your worn shoes as well.
Women everywhere can relate to the story of beloved heels gone to waste due to wear and tear. Shoes not only protect the feet, they also act as high-end accessories that can amp an outfit instantly. If you can't bear the thought of throwing out your favorite pair, perhaps you've thought about repairing them.
As long as the holes or tears are not serious, there are still ways to salvage precious shoes. Whether it's leather, suede, or canvas fabric - shoe repair and care gone give them extra mileage. So take out that shoe polish and continue reading!
Women everywhere can relate to the story of beloved heels gone to waste due to wear and tear. Shoes not only protect the feet, they also act as high-end accessories that can amp an outfit instantly. If you can't bear the thought of throwing out your favorite pair, perhaps you've thought about repairing them.
As long as the holes or tears are not serious, there are still ways to salvage precious shoes. Whether it's leather, suede, or canvas fabric - shoe repair and care gone give them extra mileage. So take out that shoe polish and continue reading!
Heel Problems
- For worn-out heel tips, the best way to fix them is to buy heel-tip replacements. This is made from wood or rubber, and are available online or at any shoe shop. With pliers, gently take out the worn heel tip with a twisting motion. Choose a tip that best suits your shoes (the same color and material) and insert it in the hole. Use a hammer to secure it in place.
- Dirt marks on your favorite nude pumps? If it doesn't come off even with the roughest scrubbing (not advisable on designer shoes), that's probably a scuff. Lightly rub an eraser on the spot until it disappears. If the material is leather, use shoe polish or lotion in the exact shade as your shoe. Clean the shoe's surface first before applying.
- If you have plain heeled shoes, you can jazz it up for Spring using a bit of creativity! Take out your sewing kit and craft materials to get started. Depending on the design you want to re-create, you may use ribbons, glitter, spray paint, and beads. Use special shoe glue to secure your masterpiece.
- It can be tricky to bring back quality leather to life. The trick is patience and the right techniques. If you have dusty leather shoes (not torn!), you can restore its shine with nail polish remover (or bleach), leather stain, polish, beeswax, and leather lotion (if applicable).
- With nail polish remover or bleach, strip the shoes of the worn color. Then use leather stain or wax in your chosen shade. Moisturize the leather with special leather lotion before applying the wax for polishing. This will take practice; but can save you money if done right.
- Every woman has at least one pair of canvas shoes or sneakers in her closet. These are easiest to revive. Simply wash them in cold soapy water to remove dust and dirt.
- For tougher stains, use an old toothbrush and a mixture of bleach with water. Gently scrub the area, while avoiding other colored parts of the shoe. Let sit for about a minute before rinsing.
- Give new life to your sneaks by buying colorful, wacky shoelaces!
Don't Forget!
Don't DIY designer shoes, or genuine leather. Although it might be a little expensive, head to your nearest shoe repair shop for professional treatment. It takes patience and practice to restore old shoes; so don't be too hard on yourself if you don't get it right the first time.
Looking for new shoes to alternate with your beloved pair? MissVixen Lingerie and Shoes has a great selection of colorful footwear to choose from. By cycling between your favorites, you can prolong the life of your precious shoes!