Types of shoe products – what kind of care does your shoe need?

Slush, dust, frost, rain, chemical reagents – all these factors quickly render our shoes and boots unusable, but even the most impractical footwear can retain its external novelty with proper care. And proper care is, first of all, special means for shoes, which cannot be saved on. According to experts, at least 10 percent of the cost of the shoe itself should be spent on such funds. The main thing is not to be mistaken with the choice.

What shoe care products are present on the domestic market today, and what brands are consumers choosing?

Creams

All shoe creams are divided into …

• Thick creams based on organic solvents

Advantage: optimal effect in bad weather. Composition – solvents, wax and coloring agent, animal fat. Suitable for shoes made of dense genuine leather.

• Liquid creams, emulsion

Most effective during the warm season. The composition contains fewer solvents (they are replaced with water). The ideal choice for fine, expensive, fine leather shoes. The level of protection is lower than that of an oily thick cream, but the shine is very long-lasting.

Best Shoe Cream – Consumer Review Rating:

1. Salamander.
2. Kiwi.
3. Sapphire.

Water repellent spray

This product is a real salvation for shoes, both from suede / nubuck and leather. A well-chosen spray not only protects your boots from the effects of slush, snow and reagents, but also relieves “shoe torment”.

Spraying shoes is an easier, more convenient and cleaner process than using a cream. The water-repellent spray preserves the whiteness of white boots, the intensity of the color – on colored shoes, protects suede from getting wet, and the skin from deformation.

The only drawback of the product is a very pungent smell.

Best Water Repellent Spray – Consumer Review Rating:

1. Niki Line Anti Rain. German means for shoes made of any material, including fur and textiles.
2. Salamander Universal SMS. Significantly extends the lifespan of the shoe.
3. Ecco. Protects against moisture without disturbing the air exchange of the shoe. Economical and efficient.
4. Collonil Nanopro. A universal remedy. It is used for both shoes and clothing. Created on the basis of nano-technology. Economical, fantastically efficient and … quite expensive.
5. Kiwi Aqua Stop. Dries quickly, works effectively, is convenient for a woman’s handbag, affordable price.

Impregnation

A product that protects shoes from water and dirt penetration into the depth of the material. The impregnation keeps the shoes in proper shape for a long time and protects the feet from dampness.

When choosing this product, they are guided by the type of material and the weather – only shoes, for shoes and clothes, for winter weather and reagents, or for rainy weather, etc.

The most effective are silicone impregnations, due to which water simply flows off the shoe, and the protective film is evenly distributed over the surface of the shoe, without blocking the air exchange. The effective action of the agent begins after 8-9 hours, therefore, the treatment is usually carried out in the evening, in accordance with the type of impregnation (spray, emulsion, etc.).

• For suede, choose a fluorocarbon resin impregnation for better protection.
• For smooth skin – wax and silicone impregnations.
• For daily use – spray paint-balm.
• For all types of footwear materials – fluorine-containing impregnations.

The best impregnations – rating by consumer reviews:

1. Salton.
2. Salamander Professional.
3. Saphir.
4. Tarrago.
5. Hatch.
6. Nikwax (for suede / nubuck).

Reducing paint

With this tool, you can restore shoes that have suffered from the effects of bad weather, restore scratches, scuffs, broken noses / heels, and mask almost any defects. In addition to restoration and camouflage properties, the restorer will protect shoes from dirt and moisture, prevent the appearance of stains, restore the color intensity and velvety nubuck.

The main advantages of a high-quality reductant are in the fastness of the paint – it will not stain your clothes and will not wash off after drying. The restorer should be left on the shoe until it dries completely, after which the effect should be fixed with a protective agent.

The reducing agent contains silicone and stabilizers, pigments, wax with natural oils, etc. The agent lies on the surface of the shoe like a second skin, and easily hides even cuts, seams and traces of adhesion on the shoe.

Best restorer – cream paint and spray paint rating:

1. Salamander.
2. Erdal.
3. Collonil.
4. Sitil.
5. Saphir.
6. Kiwi.
7. Silver.

Stretchers

These funds appeared on our market not so long ago and immediately successfully replaced all “grandmother’s methods”. If the purchased (donated) shoes fell a little over the leg, simply did not spread or sat down due to frequent getting wet / dry, then the stretcher will solve this problem – it softens the skin and provides it easy stretching to the desired size (within reasonable limits, of course).

Best stretchers:

1. Salamander.
2. Salton.
3. Kiwi.

Sprays Anticolor

Have you taken off your new shoes and your white socks turned black? And the boots were probably expensive? Do not despair and do not rush to throw them in the trash. Now you can solve this problem too. Alas, expensive shoes also sin by staining socks and tights. Your magic wand is Anticolor, which protects socks from staining and fixes the pigment layer of the inside of your shoes by creating a protective film.

Such a tool can be used for completely different materials, and the form of the spray will greatly facilitate the task.

The best sprays Anticolor:

1. Salamander.
2. Collonil.
3. Saphir.

Sponges

One of the main helpers in any weather, always present, both in a woman’s purse and at home on a shelf (or in an office, in a dressing room). An irreplaceable item: a couple of swings – and the shoe shines like new again. Of course, in terms of efficiency, it is impossible to compare a sponge with an impregnation or cream, but sometimes you simply cannot do without it.

Disadvantages of a sponge: a maximum of 30-50 shoe cleanings (then it simply dries up and loses its qualities), the glycerin impregnation of the sponge dissolves in water (that is, the shoes do not protect against moisture), and the foam rubber breaks very quickly.

The most durable sponges are made of dense foam rubber, with a polystyrene body, with a dispenser and based on silicone oils. Well, it is also worth remembering that the purpose of the sponge is to give shine, and not to protect the shoes from moisture.

Best sponges – rating:

1. Salamander (contains dye, silicone impregnation).
2. Salton professional (double sponge, gel dispenser).
3. Smart (Contains dye, silicone oils. Dust-repellent effect).
4. Silver (Contains perfume and silicone oil, dye).
5. Vilo (contains silicone oil, dye).

Polishes for patent shoes

Thin patent leather needs special care. The best remedy is a special polish to protect against cracks, to maintain the elasticity of the skin, for shine. Suitable for synthetic and natural-looking patent leather. When used correctly, it significantly extends the lifespan of the shoe.

The composition contains special oils.

Top polishes 怓 consumer review rating:

1. Collonil.
2. Saphir.
3. Lack Polish Niki Line.
4. Lack Care Salamander.

Brushes

One of the most useful “tools” for shoe care is, of course, a shoe brush.

The best one is with natural bristles, and with a certain distance between the rows of this bristle (for easy removal of cream from the brush after cleaning shoes).

The body of the tool must have a protective lacquer coating or consist of plastic.

Best Brushes – Consumer Review Rankings:

1. Salamander (double-sided brush).
2. Twist Casual Style Mini.
3. Salton (triple brush, ideal for suede / nubuck).

Erasers

If you have suede shoes and the color is original (neither white nor black), then dry cleaning is ideal. That is, using a special eraser. This product will help preserve the texture of the suede and remove dirt without damaging the surface.

Best Erasers – Consumer Review Rankings:

1. Complex Care Salton Professional. For suede, velor, nubuck.
2. Solitaire. For removing stains from velor.
3. Saphir. For suede, velor.
4. Collonil Nubuk Box. For velor, nubuck.

Textile shoe products

For shoes / boots made of membrane / textile materials, special products should be chosen. Usually they are marked “Gore-tex care”.

The best products for textile shoes – rating:

1. Salamander Universal-SMS.
2. Granger’s Leather Conditioner.
3. Salamander.
4. Collonil Water spray.