Many people fear investing in leather shoes, especially for babies and children, because caring for leather shoes differs from other materials. Leather shoes also require specific cleaning detergents like foams and sprays. However, you shouldn’t be scared to purchase your child a pair of leather shoes just because caring for them isn’t a walk in the park. This article provides easy but practical tips for maintaining children’s leather shoes to make the procedure easier. Keep reading to learn more.
Clean The Shoes Correctly
There are many ways to clean your child’s leather shoes. First, you can wash them with mild detergents or soap to remove stains. You can also wipe them with a damp cloth without submerging them in water. However, you should avoid machine washing your baby’s leather shoes at all costs.
The washing machine might not be gentle on the leather as your hands could be. Again, as earlier said, always air-dry leather shoes since intense heat and sun rays can interfere with their integrity. Finally, since baby leather shoes tend to get wrinkled, consider stuffing them with tissue paper to maintain their shape.
Removing Smells From Leather
Smelly leather shoes can result from many things. However, they’re more likely to be caused by sweat. Feet are among the most sweaty parts of the human body, especially if they stay enclosed for a prolonged period. Fortunately, removing smells from a child’s leather shoes isn’t complicated. Many home remedies help eliminate these smells for a clean, fresh pair.
Some parents use complex chemicals to eliminate odors from their children’s leather shoes. However, Albert from Von Baer says to avoid using any harsh chemicals or cleaning agents that may damage the leather. Instead, opt for natural remedies and gentle cleaning solutions.
Grand Travel Bag from Von Baer
For example, you can eliminate odors from leather shoes without washing them. How? All you need to do is mix a quarter cup of baking soda, a teaspoon of baking powder, and a cup of cornstarch. Apply the mixture to the shoes and let them sit all night. You can add a few drops of your favorite essential oils if necessary. This mixture is a natural deodorizer that eliminates even the harshest smells.
As far as removing smells on wet leather shoes is concerned, the process is relatively the same. However, you must first dry the shoes to kill the smell-causing bacteria. Avoid placing leather shoes under direct sunlight, whether sandals or boots, when drying them. Failure to which the sun will interfere with the leather’s integrity and cause excess wear and tear.
That said, ensure to dry the shoes indoors by placing them near a vent and fan. Remove the insole from the boots and allow them to dry overnight. Once the shoes are dry, apply the above-explained mixture for fresh-smelling leather shoes.
Practice Care When Putting On The Shoes
Kids can be naughty. They’re always in a hurry to do things. Unfortunately, this is even the case when putting on and removing shoes, a practice that can destroy shoes, especially leather ones. With that in mind, ensuring your child puts on their leather shoes carefully is vital.
Always place your finger in the back of the shoes until the foot is completely submerged to prevent heel counter damage. To avoid wrinkles on the shoes, begin from the toes upwards when tightening the laces. You should never allow the child to step on the back of the boots to prevent damage.
Be Cautious When Removing Your Child’s Shoes
As already stated, children are always in a hurry. However, even adults aren’t left behind when removing shoes. Most people use their legs to step on the back of the other shoes for quick, easy removal. Unfortunately, this leads to shoe damage. Therefore, parents must encourage their children to untie the laces and remove the shoes correctly. Removing the shoes is a minute activity that can lengthen your child’s shoe shelf life by a considerable margin.
Allow Them To Breathe
Leather shoes require rest and time to breathe. That said, your child should have at least two pairs to give one some time to breathe.
Feet sweat a lot, leading to smelly shoes. If your child wears leather shoes when going to school, they need several pairs to allow the other pair to relax. Additionally, when leather shoes get wet, they must be adequately dried to prevent wear and smell accumulation. For these reasons, ensure your child only briefly wears a pair of leather shoes and then gives them a break.
Conclusion
Leather is among the most durable shoe materials. Leather shoes are costly but worth it, especially since they last long. However, for your child’s leather shoes to last long, you must care for them correctly. Fortunately, with the help of the above information, you can easily care for your child’s leather shoes without challenges.
