When deciding to buy a pair of patent leather shoes or boots, it is worth remembering that this luxurious shoe requires special care and attitude, because its surface is not only more delicate than ordinary leather, it is also more sensitive to temperature and humidity. Fortunately, in the arsenal of fashionistas there are both folk recipes and modern means for the care of patent leather shoes.
Features of the use and storage of patent leather shoes
Patent leather is made from ordinary high-quality material by applying a special glossy coating on it. Due to this, shoes and other products, for example, bags or gloves, acquire a mirror shine, become waterproof, but also lose their elasticity. In addition, patent leather shoes or ankle boots are quite susceptible to cold and moisture - in severe frosts, glossy skin becomes fragile and can easily crack. Conscientious manufacturers do not recommend wearing such leather goods at temperatures below -10, as well as walking in shoes through puddles. It is worth storing patent leather shoes in individual linen or non-woven bags so that the surfaces do not come into contact.
Lacquered shoes can also be stored in paper, but not in a newspaper. It is also worth putting small bags with a moisture-absorbing substance into the shoe box.
Popular ways to care for patent leather shoes
Lacquered shoes have been popular for several decades, our grandmothers happily wore such boats for dancing. But, since high-quality shoe creams did not exist at that time, women had to take care of it using available means. On the Internet you can find several such "grandmother" recipes. For example, surface treatment of shoes with onion juice. Milk used to wipe the skin was also popular. However, the first method can harm the varnish layer, since it is not PH-neutral, and the second is bad because bacteria actively multiply in the sour-milk environment. Also in the last century, bread crumb was used to care for patent shoes, but its skin benefits are also dubious. In fact, the optimal “folk” remedy is a knitted rag and a mild soap. It is enough to rinse dirt off the shoe and wipe it dry. But then it is worth to prefer professional means to folk remedies.
Fortunately, manufacturers use advanced technologies to create patent leather shoes - now the shoes are more resistant to mechanical stress, moisture, the material itself has become more elastic.
Modern patent leather care
Major manufacturers of shoe care cosmetics have developed patent leather product lines. Firstly, these are special creams or mousses that give the shoes surfaces elasticity and softness - they protect it from cracking. Secondly, the damaged surface can be varnished using a special gel. And finally, so that patent leather shoes shone like new, it is worth using sprays and aerosols. And it is better to refuse means for usual skin or suede - they will leave unattractive stains on a varnish. Sometimes it seems that it’s easier to save on shoe care products, but correctly selected “medicines” for shoes will extend their life for many years, while patent leather shoes do not go out of style.
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