cleaning shoes

How to Get Tar Off Shoes?

February 8, 2020 by Annet

If you recently wore or acquired a pair of shoes that have become marred with tar upon them, finding a way to remove it properly is sure to be a concern. Tar is hard to miss as it is a dark color, is tacky when it first adheres and hardens after time. Read on to learn how to get tar off shoes without ruining them in the process.

Scrape Away as Much as Possible to Get Tar Off Shoes

The first step in removing tar from shoes is to scrape as much as you possibly can from the material or sole. This is easily done with a plastic utensil such as a disposable knife or a paint scraper. Be sure to use caution when applying pressure so you do not rip your shoe during the removal process. It may be beneficial to place your shoe in your freezer for an hour or two before you attempt to remove that tar. This will help to harden it, making it easier to scrape away large portions

Use A Gentle Soap To Help With Tar Removal

Dish detergent works well for tar removal. It will not cause the fabric or rubber of a shoe to become discolored as it does not contain harsh chemicals. Place a bit of liquid dish detergent on the affected area of your shoe and allow it to sit for several minutes. This will cause it to loosen any remaining tar from your shoe so it is easier to remove. Use your finger to apply the soap and rub it gently over the tarred portion. Place your shoe upon a piece of newspaper to protect your furnishings as you wait for the soap to work its magic.

Scrub The Area Where Soap Was Applied

After the soap has settled into the tarred area on your shoe, use a toothbrush to soften the affected area. Rub the toothbrush in a circular motion and use a clean piece of cloth to remove any loosened tar. You may need to repeat this process several times. You will notice that the color on your shoe will become lighter and lighter as the tar disappears.

How to Get Tar Off Shoes – You Need to Rinse The Affected Area Between Scrubbing

The toothbrush you use will likely become discolored as you repeat the scrubbing process. Place some dish detergent and water in a bowl to use for the cleaning of the toothbrush between scrubbing processes. Dry the toothbrush bristles with your piece of clean cloth to further remove all remnants of tar. Continue the scrubbing procedure as needed. To help you determine whether the tar is being removed effectively, rinse away the soap, water, and tar from the affected area of your shoe by placing it directly under a running faucet for a few seconds. Use warm water to help loosen the tar even more.

Dry Your Shoe In Its Entirety

When you no longer see discoloration upon your shoe, rinse away all soap and water and place the shoe in an area where it can dry naturally. If you see any remnants of tar after your shoe has completely dried, you can repeat the entire process from the beginning step to lighten the tar even more. This procedure will eventually work completely. It does sometimes take several sessions for the tar to effectively disappear from some materials. This is dependant on the amount of tar that you had acquired upon your shoe as well as the duration of time it remained upon the material. Tar that was not removed promptly may be more difficult to remove. This procedure, however, is completely safe for all materials shoes are comprised of.

How to Wash Skechers Memory Foam Shoes?

February 8, 2020 by Annet

If you don’t know what Skechers are, then maybe you’ve been living under a rock.

The famous California company now wears the title of the third-largest athletic footwear brand in the United States. The label is all about lifestyle and performance shoes for women, men and children. The Skechers Memory Foam line is especially popular because of the exquisite cushioning it provides for the feet.

Memory Foam shoes are also very comfortable and supportive thanks to their unique construction that allows the foam to mold to your foot for a superb fit.

The big question among Skechers fans is, “How to wash Skechers memory foam shoes?”

When Washing Skechers Memory Foam Shoes Say No To The Machine

According to the Skechers website recommendations, avoid tossing your favorite Memory Foam shoes into the washing machine. It is tempting to do because it is quick and easy, but if you want to maintain the quality and durability of your Skechers footwear, then clean them manually.

However, the footwear brand says you can still use the machine if you choose the gentle cycle, and place the shoes in a thin pillowcase as you add them to the washer. Tie the top of the pillowcase.

Skechers Memory Foam insoles will need to air dry for up to 12 hours to ensure that the insoles are completely dry.

Avoid tossing them into the dryer because heat can do a number on the layers of your shoes by separating their construction.

Try A Manual Washing

Let’s face it; sneakers are going to get dirty after wearing, and you can still clean the shoes up nicely with the following tips that Skechers has provided for a manual washing.

The steps are easy for washing your Memory Foam footwear. Take a rag or shoe brush if you have one, and begin removing any grime around the upper and outsole of the shoes.

Next, place a few drops of laundry detergent into a small tub of warm water to create a soapy base. Then, dip the rag or brush into the mix, and start wiping down the dirty areas of your shoes.

Use warm water to wipe away any excess soap, and allow your shoes to air dry.

If your white shoelaces don’t look so new, you can also clean them separately to return their vivid brightness.

Take a small plastic tub and fill it with water and a small splash of bleach. Place the laces in the solution for about 30 minutes to whiten them, and then rinse them out allowing the laces to air dry.

Just A Sprinkle Or Two

To keep your Skechers Memory Foam shoes cleanly scented, it is recommended that you always wear them with a pair of socks. Also, you can sprinkle a little baking soda inside your shoes to maintain freshness.

The company also sells an Odor Eliminator Spray in an eco-friendly formula that you spritz on inside your footwear to effectively deodorize the shoes.

A waterproofer spray is also another excellent way to maintain clean Memory Foam shoes to protect them from water and stains forming. Skechers also sells their own waterproofer spray that you can spritz on, and allow the shoes to dry for 24 hours.

It, too, comes in an eco-friendly formula.

The next time someone asks you how to wash Skechers Memory Foam shoes, you will be able to give out expert advice.

How to Polish Shoes to a Mirror Shine?

February 8, 2020 by Annet

Polishing shoes was once a skill that lots of people learned. At some point, it became far more common to have shoes professionally polished, especially for men. Even if you are financially able to hire someone to polish your shoes, it’s still a talent you should master. In fact, you can learn how to polish shoes to a mirror shine and then share that knowledge with others. Why does it matter? Because there’s nothing like walking into a room with leather shoes that have a mirror shine. It will set you apart from the crowd.

Using the Right Tools to Polish Shoes

Learning how to polish shoes to a mirror shine starts with making sure you have the tools of the trade. For starters, you’ll need polishing cloths made of cotton chamois. This is partly how you’ll get amazing results. The next thing you’ll need is a horsehair bristle shoeshine brush. You can’t skimp in this area because you simply won’t see the same results. With this type of brush, you’ll have a better chance of achieving an amazing sheen. Keep in mind that the bristles should be 100% horsehair. There are different size brushes and you can choose the one that feels comfortable.

When it comes to the products used to polish your shoes, leather conditioner should be near the top of your list. Many believe good technique is more important than the products used. Others believe a good conditioner is a game changer. If you truly want a mirror shine, choose a quality conditioner and develop a good technique. The next product on your list should be a shoe polish that’s cream-based. Why? Because it does a great job at camouflaging imperfections and scuffs. To some degree, there is trial and error when it comes to polishing shoes because cream-based shoe polish is often the great option, but wax-based shoe polish is also an important tool of the trade.

Preparing Your Shoes

Before you begin the process of actually polishing your shoes, you’ll need to make sure you prepare them. This includes finding a comfortable place to sit and using the cloth to eliminate any dust or dirt that’s on your shoes. You may need to use a damp cloth to get rid of debris on your shoes. After wiping your shoes, set them aside to fully dry. You should be able to look at the shoes and see that they’re completely clean.

Once your shoes are clean, now it’s time to add conditioner followed directly by polish. The key is making sure you don’t use too much polish. The areas of your shoe that are particularly worn should receive a greater amount of conditioner. After applying the conditioner and the polish to your shoes, you’ll have to let them sit for short amount of time so that both products can set in. By the time you add conditioner and polish to the second shoe, the first one will be ready to polish. You’ll then use your horsehair bristle brush to start the polishing process.

How to Polish Shoes to Obtain a Mirror Shine

Although you are essentially done with polishing your shoes, there’s one more step required to achieve a mirror shine. That step is working in an additional dab of polish into each shoe. This is a tiny amount that’s placed onto the cloth and worked into the shoes in a circular motion. The cloth should be slightly damp. It’s actually the small circular motion that will yield a high shine. You’ll know when you get there because it will be the best shine you’ve ever achieved.

How to Clean Boat Shoes?

February 6, 2020 by Annet

Boat shoes are used for more than just relaxing on a boat. Depending on the type of shoes you choose, they can be a real fashion statement. These days they’re considered lifestyle shoes that you can wear for just about any occasion. The information below will help you understand how to clean boat shoes, including what should be used during the cleaning process and other important considerations based on the type of shoes you have.

Cleaning Leather Boat Shoes

While it’s common for people to have their leather boat shoes professionally cleaned, it’s possible to clean them at home. Since boat shoes are exposed to water if you actually use them for boating, you’ll have to make sure mold is removed and that process might involve the use of a fungicide. If you don’t have fungicide, you can use lemon juice or vinegar as a cleaning agent.

Regardless of which solution you choose, you’ll need a sponge or a cloth to wipe down the shoes. While fungicide will need to be diluted as instructed by the manufacturer, you don’t have to dilute the lemon juice or vinegar. The sponge or cloth should be used to gently remove any dirt or mold that’s on the shoes. You should use protective gloves while cleaning your boat shoes.

Cleaning Suede

When cleaning suede boat shoes, it’s best not to use any chemicals. A great method for removing dirt, dust and any other substances that might be on the shoes is brushing them with a suede brush. In many instances, you’ll need to spend a good amount of time brushing suede boat shoes because it can take time to eliminate dirt from the surface of the shoes. It’s important to brush in the same direction to avoid damaging the shoe. If you have scuff marks, consider using a nail file or a light colored eraser to get rid of them.

If your suede boat shoes have stains from water and dirt that has turned into mud, it might be necessary to soak them in cool water, which is fine since this type of shoe is designed to get wet. It may not be necessary to use water to remove mud and dirt. You may be able to just brush it off using a soft bristle toothbrush. Another tip for cleaning suede shoes is using rice water to get rid of stains. This also requires use of a soft toothbrush. When learning how to clean boat shoes, start out slow and take your time as you go through the learning process.

Cleaning Canvas

Canvas boat shoes are popular and they’re relatively easy to use. The key to cleaning them is not using harsh chemicals that can damage the materials. While you might be tempted to toss them in the washing machine since canvas is a cloth material, that may cause a problem. Specifically, your shoes might become misshapen and uncomfortable to wear.

Instead of using a washing machine for canvas boat shoes, you can use a large bowl or basin that will allow them to soak without the agitation of a washing machine. You can fill the bowl or basin with warm water and use a mild liquid detergent and a soft toothbrush to clean them. You can soak the shoes as necessary so that the dirt can be released. To dry the shoes, wrap them in a large towel to soak up most of the water and then set them aside until they completely air dry.

There are several options for how to clean boat shoes and these tips can help you get through the process like an expert.

How to Clean Climbing Shoes?

February 6, 2020 by Annet

Keeping sports equipment in good shape is a necessity for those who want to perform their best, and there are even sports where the life of the participant might hang in the balance. For those who have chosen the sport of climbing, making sure all their gear is in top shape can be essential. While most pieces of equipment come with a manual on how to care for them, shoes are often an item where there is an assumption that everyone knows how to care for them. For those who are wondering how to clean climbing shoes, there are a few things to remember.

The majority of shoes used in climbing are designed specifically to help support the climber in several different ways, and the materials used are not generally ones that can be tossed into a home washing machine. Many of them have leather uppers to keep sweat from being an issue while daring the heights, so this is not a material known for its affiliation with soap and water. Cleaning shoes grimy from rock dust and trail dirt is not going to be as easy as selecting a cycle.

The most minimal way on how to clean climbing shoes is to wipe them with a dry cloth, and it can be an effective way to get started on the process. Getting rid of the outer layers of dust can be easily done with one swipe of a soft cloth or even a paper towel, so that might be a good place to begin the process. For those who find their shoes are not quite as pristine as they want, there are other options to consider.

A stiff brush can get into the cracks and crevices of almost anything, and using one of these particular items could be a good way to clean them. Without the use of water, the dirt and dust will tend to fly off when gently brushed, and the climber will be able to better see if they have gotten off all the dirt. While this is a good way to get most of the work done, it may take another step to get the shoes completely clean.

Using cold water and a mild detergent could be the only way to do the perfect cleaning job on climbing shoes, but taking a good look at the materials first will be an essential step in the process. Most leathers will slowly soak up water, so those willing to work fast could be able to use this method to ensure their equipment is taken care of properly. Speed is essential to keep the shoes from absorbing too much water, but they can also be cleaned with a few timely breaks to keep the shoes from getting too wet.

While taking off the dirt and grime on the outside is a process involving several options, there is also the matter of the inside cleanliness. Climbing can be sweaty work, and shoes will absorb the odor and bacteria from it. Cleaning out the inside of the shoes might present issues for those unable to toss them into the washer, but there are other ways of getting the same result.

There are sprays on the market today that offer relief from bad smelling shoes, and most of them can be used in this case. Simply hold the shoe by its sole and spray into it. That should help kill of the bacteria, and it is often a good way to remove the smell. Letting the shoes air dry outside on the porch could also be helpful in this case. There are also activated charcoals that can be stuffed into the inside of the shoe to chase away odors, and they are remarkably good at removing odors. Checking with the local sports equipment store would be helpful when searching for a good solution for this issue.