Shoe care secrets: Extend your footwear's life with impregnation

During the unfavourable winter weather, our shoes must withstand snow drifts, salt, and icy puddles. Impregnation is a crucial treatment that makes footwear more resistant to harsh conditions, significantly extending their lifespan. Any style enthusiast knows that regularly impregnated shoes look new for much longer than those left unprotected.

Another important aspect of impregnation is protecting the material from fading, loss of structure, and water penetration. Suede or leather should be cared for with attention, and impregnation is the first step in this process. This helps maintain the shoe colour's intensity and preserves their texture.

The market offers a variety of products to meet the needs of even the most demanding users. It's helpful to know which ones to choose. Suede shoes require different treatments than shoes made of smooth leather. For suede, spray products that do not disturb the delicate structure of the material are ideal.

Read also: Cleaning on Sunday? The priest reacted strongly. A flood of comments

Many households have products that can effectively replace ready-made solutions. Hairspray can surprisingly be an effective option. Applying hairspray to the shoe's surface can create a protective layer that prevents quick wear.

To impregnate leather shoes, you can use beeswax, petroleum jelly, linseed oil, or olive oil. After applying them to the shoes, they will not only shine but will also be protected from water penetration and resist dirt more effectively.

Before you start the impregnation process, there are a few rules to follow. First and foremost, make sure the shoes are clean and dry before applying any product. It's also important to note that each material requires an individual approach. Test the impregnator on a less visible part of the shoes before fully applying it.

If you're using a spray impregnator, apply it evenly over the entire surface of the shoe from about 20-30 cm away. To avoid streaks, it's better to apply several thin layers of the impregnator. Leave the prepared footwear to dry in a ventilated place, away from direct heat sources.

If you're using oil, wax, or a cream product, apply it with a soft cloth, such as microfiber or flannel. It's best to do this in circular motions. After applying the product, leave the shoes to dry completely.

Nothing provides protection for our shoes like regular care. How often should impregnation be repeated? It depends on the material and the intensity of use. During the autumn-winter season, it's advisable to perform this treatment every few weeks to ensure full moisture protection for the footwear.

Adapting impregnation to weather conditions is another important element. On rainy days or when it's snowing outside, impregnation is invaluable. Besides regular protection, impregnating shoes after every exposure to rain or mud provides them with additional protection against possible damage.

During shoe impregnation, it is easy to make mistakes that can affect the effectiveness of the process. One of the most common mistakes is using inappropriate products for specific materials. Smooth leather, suede, or nubuck require specialized products. Using untested products can ruin the delicate surface of the footwear.

Another common mistake is drying shoes near heat sources, like radiators. This can lead to material deformation or even cracking. Always let shoes dry naturally in a well-ventilated place.