If you’ve ever noticed imperfections on your shoes, don’t rush to get them professionally repaired. Perhaps everything can be corrected more simply right at home. Does this sound too good to be true? Take a look at our article to learn more.
We found simple and non-expensive ways to make your shoes look as good as new and is eager to share them with you.
10. Wipe your shoes with a banana, then a napkin.
A simple banana peel and a napkin can make your shoes shine bright once again. First, wipe the leather with banana pulp and then with a napkin. You can check how it’s done here.
9. If you want whiter soles, rub an eraser on them.
If you want to achieve pristine purity from the soles of your shoes, take an ordinary eraser and simply rub off all the dirt with it. Check out how it works.
8. Stick a small piece of cello tape where new shoes are rubbing your skin.
Apply a small patch of cello tape over an area you think will blister for a smoother getting-to-know-you phase.
7. Use a nail file to get rid of dirt on suede shoes.
A nail file can be of great help when trying to clean suede. Simply use it on the problematic spots and poof — everything is clean! Remember not to press down the nail file too hard, otherwise it can completely erase the suede.
6. Use glass cleaner to make your patent leather shoes shine.
Use Windex to shine patent leather shoes.
5. Remove a scuff from your patent leather shoes with some Vaseline and a Q-tip.
Remove a scuff on a patent leather shoe with petroleum jelly and a Q-tip.
4. Stretch out tall calf boots.
Tall leather boots never seem to go out of style, but every boot doesn’t fit every woman because of different calf sizes. Boots without zippers, such as riding-boot and cowboy styles, may require gradual stretching using rolls of newspaper, a purchased stretcher for boots, a padded piece of wood or a trip to a shoe-repair shop.
Spray the interior of the boot with a leather-stretching spray. Test an area first to see if the leather color is affected. The spray loosens the fiber of the leather.
Make a tight roll of newspapers that barely fits into the sprayed boot. Don’t use color ads or the comics on the outer layer so the color doesn’t transfer to the boot. Squeeze the newspaper roll into the boot shaft. The roll should be fat enough to strain the leather.
An alternative to newspapers is a thick wooden dowel or piece of wood covered with cloth or towels. The wood bundle should be big enough to strain the leather.
Use a thin plastic bag to help slide in these stretchers.
Let the boot dry for a day or two.
Repeat the process two or three times with increasingly fatter rolls of newspaper or covered pieces of wood. If the boot has a shaped calf, squeeze a chunk of wood into that area. Wrap the wood well in cloth so you don’t make a dent or hole in the leather.
After the boots are stretched a bit, squeeze into them and wear them around the house to continue the stretching. Wear nylon knee-highs with a slippery finish to help you get into the boots.
3. Remove scratches from leather or leatherette shoes.
There is a great product called Liquid Leather which can be found in any furniture store. It’s commonly called liquid leather and requires no heat. The instructions tell you to spread the liquid leather over the damage and apply the sheet with leather grain firmly against the damage. After 24 hours, simply remove the grain sheet, and voila!
2. Fix a caught zipper.
If your zipper got caught and you have a candle nearby, this method can be very effective. Just rub the candle over the zipper and it will be as smooth as it used to be.
1. Remove salt stains from leather shoes.
If there are visible stains from snow or salt on your shoes, mix two parts water with one part vinegar, then take a toothbrush and wipe the spots that require cleaning.
