Extending The Life Of Your Footwear Old And New

Extending The Life Of Your Footwear Old And New

Every woman knows how hard it is to find that perfect pair of heels – the ones that not only look great but feel amazing. When you finally find the winning combination, it's only natural to want to extend their life for as long as possible. From dream pumps to everyday ballet flats, we share the secrets of shoe care from the experts.

Specialists in shoe care and repairs, Mister Minit has been looking after Australia's shoes (and feet!) since 1957, repairing over 830,000 pairs of shoes each year. In order to save you and your feet from a whole lot of financial and physical angst, Mister Minit has compiled their top tips on shoe care.

Mister Minit's Top Tips:

1. Prevention is better than cure. When it comes to extending the life of your shoes, preventive care can do wonders. Before you hit the streets with a new pair of leather-soled shoes (or even after one or two initial wears), have a saver sole, Mister Minit Anti-slip Sole or Toe Piece put on. "Leather wears down very quickly," says Leigh Hunt, Mister Minit Technical Trainer. "Anti-slip soles and a new toe piece, will not only prevent the original sole from losing its shape, but they will also keep water from seeping into the soles, thus prolonging the life of your footwear."

2. There's a little wiggle room when it comes to shoe size. Don't forgo a fabulous pair of leather shoes just because they are a tad snug or a bit too loose. If the size is too tight, Mister Minit can make them fit. Stretching machines can increase length and width, as well as stretch specific areas, like too-tight toes. On the other hand, if you are slipping around in your shoes, Miss Minit inner soles, gel pads and heel grips can tighten up the fit. Similarly, tall boots can be altered to a degree: loose pairs can be taken in, while snug ones can be stretched about 1/2 inch in the calf.

3. Weatherproof your shoes often. Protect shoes and boots from rain; give your shoes a spritz with a quality water and stain protector prior to initial wear to guard them against grime and watermarks. The fine mist particles ensure you won't overspray your shoes, giving materials like leather a chance to breathe and retain their texture. If shoes are visibly dirty it's a good idea to clean them beforehand, followed by an application of leather conditioner to protect shoes and boots, keeping leather moisturised, waterproof and restoring lustre. Repeat process every few wears for ideal protection. Mister Minit stocks a complete range of products including Miss Minit Water and Stain Protector, Mister Minit Leather Conditioner, Miss Minit Immaculate Clean and Mister Minit Easy Cleaner.

4. You can significantly extend the life of your heels"as long as you invest in their future. Any stiletto-wearer is familiar with the inevitable "click clack" that comes when the heel tip falls off. Unfortunately, due to the way that style of shoe is made, this happens more quickly than most of us would like"often after just a few wears. To avoid the endless cycle of getting these bits replaced (which is essential, because walking on the exposed metal can cause damage to the entire heel over time), replace the original plastic heel tips with rubber heel tips to avoid slipping, whilst protecting the heel block from damage.

5. Use the shoe bags that came with your shoes. There's a reason many shoes come with a shoe bag. By keeping shoes in a soft bag between wears, you can prevent structural damage and scuff marks. "When you store shoes in hot or dry places, the leather can dry and start cracking," says Leigh. So keep shoes away from sunny spots and hot areas. Another way to keep leather crack-free is by applying leather conditioner every 6-8 weeks, which will preserve the materials integrity. Should your shoes get wet, pack them up with newspaper which will help draw out excess moisture inside the shoe.

6. Know what you can do at home"and what you can't. For fixes like stretching, or anything to do with the soles, you'll want to bring your shoes to a pro to avoid costly mistakes. But there are a few DIY preventatives that anyone can do. Start to compile a shoe care pack that is best suited to your shoe needs. From Miss Minit polish touch up pens and leather conditioner to water and stain protector, Mister Minit offer a personalised service and can discuss your specific needs. For suede shoes, pick up a Mister Minit Suede and Nubuck Cleaners  to lift off dirt and keep the fluffiness of the suede looking great, and  Mister Minit Love Your Leather Kits  to clean and maintain your shoes on an ongoing basis.

7. Take your shoes into the shoetician for some TLC. Just like you, your investment pieces need support to look their best. If DIY is not for you, Mister Minit has a Shoe Revival Package, which is an in store service where experts will clean, buff, polish, deodorise, and waterproof your shoes on site for only $14.90 stand-a-lone, or $9.90 with any other service.

For repairs and advice, visit one of Mister Minit's 254 stores nationally. All shoe repairs have a six month wear and workmanship guarantee. For more information and store information visit www.misterminit.com.au.