The water-repellent properties of leather shoes are lost after several weeks of wear. And with the onset of slushy weather, this can cause colds, since the feet need dryness and warmth. Therefore, you need to know how to treat your shoes so they don’t get wet, and how to make them waterproof even in the wettest weather.
For this, there are many factory and folk remedies that cope with this task very effectively.
Why do boots get wet in winter?
- The sole has come off. Most often, such a “wet matter” is associated precisely with damage to the sole or its poor-quality “adhesion” to the boot itself.
- Poorly made shoes. Cheap boots “2 pairs for the price of 1” are always of poor quality. Manufacturers use low-quality materials, and the production process leaves much to be desired. Considering that suede and leather themselves do not allow moisture to pass through, we can confidently talk about poor-quality seams or the presence of holes and cracks.
- Chemical reagents. They are used to sprinkle roads in the winter, and it’s no secret that such products can “kill” even the strongest boots in one winter.
- Lack of special impregnation on shoes (note: the manufacturer’s task).
- Synthetic materials. Frost causes artificial leather and other synthetic materials to crack, as a result of which shoes also lose their “moisture resistance.”
So that when winter begins you don’t have to urgently fork out money for a second pair of shoes, purchase them in advance .
What shoes don't slip in winter?
Tips for using impregnations
It is convenient to use old toothbrushes to clean shoes before soaking. They will help remove all dirt from seams and hard-to-reach areas. Consequently, the quality of moisture-proof treatment will be higher. If the shoes are heavily soiled, wipe the shoes with a sponge and a solution of laundry soap, then rinse with water and dry.
Cleaning shoes with a toothbrush
Regardless of the type of impregnation and its composition, you can pre-heat your shoes with a hairdryer. This way the product will be absorbed into the skin faster and will not appear on the surface.
Advice! Typically, homemade wax-based impregnating compounds are applied in a thick layer. Don't be afraid that white stains remain on the surface - you can also walk over them with hot air from a hairdryer, and the excess composition will disappear.
There is no need to go outside immediately after treating your shoes. It is better to leave it to dry overnight, or not to touch it for at least several hours. As the composition wears off, a new portion is applied.
Self-made impregnations will save money and extend the life of shoes, and will also help to always keep your feet warm and dry!
Prepare your first pair for winter with the help of simple tips and specialists from a shoe workshop:
- We evaluate the integrity of the sole, seams, leather and accessories.
- We wash and clean the surface.
- We change heels (if necessary) and strengthen the heels.
- We sew (strengthen) the seams.
- Reinforce (if necessary) the sole. This preventive measure will help compact the sole, protect it from rapid abrasion and provide anti-slip properties. It is important to ensure that the master uses only high-quality material that will be resistant to reagents and frost. For example, wear-resistant rubber or polyurethane. Such a budget option as resit (note – and microporous rubber) should be abandoned.
Paraffin or beeswax
This is perhaps the most famous and “old” method. To use it, you will need a colorless paraffin candle, beeswax or other wax, or, as a last resort, a wax crayon for drawing (the same color as the shoes, or a little darker). The frequency of use of this method is 6-8 months.
Step by step steps:
- Use a piece of wax or paraffin to “walk” over the entire surface of the shoe. There should be no empty gaps left, otherwise it is through them that moisture will penetrate.
- Heat the applied wax using a home hair dryer. It will melt and cover the shoes with a thin protective layer.
Important! The seams should also be lubricated with paraffin to protect them from moisture penetration. If the shoes have been processed correctly, the applied wax will not crack after heating. Otherwise, you should heat it again until it melts and the cracks disappear.
You can also...
- Impregnate poor-quality seams with a special agent with water-repellent properties. True, this manipulation will have to be repeated periodically.
- Dry the cracks and holes (note - sand the surface, and then apply drying oil and wait for it to dry).
- Install outsoles (rolling) on top of your sole if you do not want to change it completely.
- Buy fat-containing (nutrient) products for leather shoes. They will restore elasticity to the boots and prevent cracking.
- Buy creams/aerosols based on beeswax for patent leather shoes.
- Find special products for shoes with breathable membranes. Such products will enhance the water-repellent effect and support pore breathing.
How to choose the right shoe size - tables of all shoe sizes for adults
Professional water repellents
Shoe store shelves are full of a variety of products to protect your skin from getting wet. Some boot manufacturers include a cream or spray in the box with a pair that is recommended for a specific product. In this case, remember the name and then purchase only that.
Spray
If your shoes get wet, store-bought water-repellent sprays will help solve the problem. You need to soak your boots every time before going outside. As stated in the description, the spray reliably protects the material from moisture, preventing it from penetrating inside.
There are a lot of aerosols sold in the shoe department, here are the best ones:
- Salamander;
- Ecco;
- Collonil Nanopro;
- Kiwi Aqua Stop.
Each brand has products for different shoe materials. Salamander and Ecco are intended for suede, genuine leather, textiles. Collonil Nanopro and Kiwi Aqua Stop are universal sprays that are suitable for textiles, velor, dermantine, leather and nubuck.
Important! Silicone-based sprays are only suitable for smooth skin. For other materials, fluorine-containing products are used.
Cream
Fat creams care for the surface, nourish it, and create a protective layer that prevents getting wet.
The stores sell impregnation creams of different brands. Recommended products:
- Salamander;
- Grangers G-Wax;
- SMS Olvist.
They contain lipids, beeswax, and other fat-containing components. The cream protects boots from getting wet, gives them shine, eliminates signs of wear, and covers up scuffs.
Advice! To avoid getting wet, you need to treat your shoes every day. Impregnations with wax and silicone are quickly washed off, especially in humid, rainy weather.
Wax
You can treat your shoes so they don't get wet using shoe wax. It is recommended only for leather and varnished surfaces.
The following varieties exist:
- bee;
- pressed;
- extraction;
- bleached.
A soft, delicate product is obtained from bee, and bleached is used for hard, rough skin. Coloring agents are added to the wax, so it easily replaces colored shoe polish.
Most often, wax is used when you need to “heal” shoes with cracks and creases. It gently softens cracked areas and makes them invisible.
Natural fiber brushes or a medium-hard sponge will help you apply the wax correctly. Procedure:
- Wash and dry your shoes.
- Scoop up a little product with a brush.
- Rub it into the material in a circular motion, starting from the sock.
Important! After applying the wax, be sure to warm it up with a hairdryer so that it penetrates deep into the skin.
Strengthening the water-repellent properties of leather shoes: 7 best “folk” recipes
- Lamb lard (about 50 g) + flax oil (about 50 g) + regular turpentine (10 g). Mix the ingredients, having previously melted the lard, and apply the still warm mixture to the boots using a soft cloth.
- Wax + flax oil. Melt 30 g of wax (you can use paraffin) over low heat and mix with pre-purchased linseed oil (10 g is enough). Apply the warm mixture to the boots and gently rub in with a woolen cloth.
- Castor oil. As a rule, every girl has it. But it is recommended to use it exclusively for rough skin (note: it will ruin thin skin). Simply rub the oil into the leather surface and polish.
- Beeswax (about 20 g) + regular turpentine (about 10-15 g) + crushed rosin (no more than 50 g). Mix all ingredients and apply to boots with a soft cloth. Wait for absorption.
- Glycerin (about 20 g) + liquid fish oil (40 g) + turpentine (about 30 g) + beeswax (about 10 g). Mix everything, melt over low heat and mix with glycerin. Next, apply the mixture to the shoes.
- Castor oil + any animal fat. We take these components in equal proportions, after melting the fat. Next, mix them and apply the mixture to the shoes and their seams.
- Wax or paraffin. Rub the boots with a candle until the surface is completely covered. Next, we heat this wax coating evenly using a hairdryer. An ingenious recipe that reliably saves shoes from getting wet.
Preventive measures
To avoid having to urgently resolve the issue of how to protect your shoes from getting wet, you should take the necessary preventive measures immediately after purchase. In stores you can now find a lot of different special products that differ in composition:
- Various shoe polishes usually contain animal fats. This eliminates unpleasant odors, so these products can be used in any room. When such a substance is applied to the product, a thin film is formed, which repels particles of dirt and water.
- Various emulsions produced by manufacturers contain chemical additives. Therefore, store-bought sprays have an unpleasant odor and are best applied outdoors. Although chemical components have their advantages. They not only protect shoes from dirt and moisture, feet and prevent the appearance of microcracks.
But before using this or that product, you need to know the features of applying a cream or spray:
- The product should be sprayed at a distance of 25-30 centimeters from the shoe, thereby ensuring uniform application. This is done until the active absorption of the protective substance into the material ceases.
- Before using a water-repellent, worn shoes must first be cleaned and dried, but this should be done away from heating appliances to avoid the soles peeling off. Then treat the product with a warm ready-made mixture, carefully coating the joints and seams.
- For patent leather shoes and boots, such prevention is not suitable, since the material from which these products are made will not allow the product to be absorbed, resulting in dirty stains or a matte coating. Therefore, such products require special aerosols, impregnations and polishes.
- It is strictly not recommended to treat hiking boots made of membrane leather with impregnations, since the substance will clog the pores of the membrane and completely deprive the material of its unique properties.
- For suede shoes, you need to use store-bought creams and special brushes to apply the product.
If you follow these professional recommendations , as well as use traditional home methods, your feet will always be dry and warm, despite the vagaries of the weather.
It is also important to apply it correctly!
- Method of 3rd application of impregnation. We apply the product to shoes three times with an interval between procedures of 1 day. Only after such a procedure can you be sure of the reliability of your shoes.
- Using a spray, we spray it not with one “spray” , but until the product stops being absorbed into the structure of the shoe.
- When using impregnation on old shoes, we first thoroughly clean the surface of the shoe, then wash it and dry it thoroughly. And only then can you apply the product.
- Choosing the right product! For example, oily water-repellent creams are only suitable for rough leather, while for other materials it is better to use sprays and emulsions. It is also worth noting that leatherette is not able to absorb oils and sprays.
The easiest way
For moisture-proof treatment, products can be lubricated with ordinary petroleum jelly, which is sold in every pharmacy. Just take a soft cloth, apply a little cosmetic product to the surface and rub in well.
Afterwards, shoes should not be worn for several hours so that the Vaseline can be completely absorbed. This impregnation will last for several days.
Treating shoes with Vaseline
Important!
If you purchased expensive shoes for the winter, and they got wet in the first week of winter, you have every right to contact the seller and demand a refund or an equivalent exchange .
It is recommended to keep the receipt!
If the seller refuses, according to the law, you can insist on an independent examination procedure and sue, demanding reimbursement of all your costs, the amount spent on shoes, as well as payment for moral damages.
The site Colady.ru thanks you for your attention to the article! We will be very pleased if you share your recipes for making boots or shoes waterproof!
If it's all about the sole
Does careful care not save your feet from getting wet? Probably the sole is to blame. Poor connection to the shoe ensures that moisture gets inside the shoe. Companies that are reputable on the market do not have this problem, and if you save on shoes, then do not skimp on their repair and protection. Saturate the joints of the sole with water-repellent agents, although you will have to treat it regularly. For this you can use animal fat, wax, paraffin, castor oil.
Or use the experience of our grandmothers and make your own shoe polishes. Castor oil is an excellent remedy for protecting stitches and skin:
- 0.5 tsp turpentine, 4 tsp. linseed oil, turpentine, fish oil,
- a teaspoon of paraffin, wax and linseed oil.
Mix 1k1 castor oil and animal fat. Instead of flaxseed oil, you can use waterfowl fat.
Attention! These products are not suitable for suede shoes.
How to properly dry wet boots
Direct contact of shoes with heating devices quickly removes moisture, but causes the adhesive to dry out excessively, resulting in wet product and damage to the sole. Eliminating defects in a workshop is only possible when the effect does not last long, especially if you still dry your shoes incorrectly.
How to dry shoes correctly:
- fill the bags with salt and place them in the toe of the shoe - the salt will absorb moisture without damaging the shoe;
- use special dryers - they are heated to the optimal temperature without damaging the shoes;
- place it on a heated floor;
- dry the inside with a hairdryer.
As a result of drying, the seam and glue retain their properties. But at the end of the day, keep your shoes dry to restore their protective layer.
