For shoes to last longer, they need proper care. This is especially true during the winter season, autumn and spring, when frequent rains and slush spoil not only your mood, but also your favorite pair of shoes. To avoid such consequences and extend the life of the product, there is a special water-repellent impregnation for shoes.
Don't skimp on water-repellent sprays. The durability and integrity of the boots directly depends on this. You'll spend a little over ten percent of the cost of a pair on these items, but you can save a lot more when purchasing new shoes.
To choose the right product, you need to understand how to use water-repellent shoe spray and which impregnation is better.
Why do you need special shoe treatment?
Shoes must be protected from adverse factors. Otherwise, it will quickly deteriorate. Water repellent for shoes can create a special protective surface that resists moisture and dirt.
When liquid or dirt gets on your boots or other product, unfavorable processes begin that negatively affect the strength and durability of the shoes:
- The reliability and strength of the product decreases. It becomes soft and is exposed to negative influences from the outside. For this reason, the skin begins to crack, loses its natural shine, and becomes vulnerable to physical damage.
- Hydrophobic impregnation for shoes is especially required in the cold season. This is due to the fact that severe frosts destroy the protective properties of products, which increases the likelihood of rupture or destruction of the protective layer.
- Water creates a film on the surface. In turn, this blocks the air absorption properties of the protective membrane. As a result, the shoes are not saturated with the required amount of useful substances, which destroys the natural structure of the fabric.
- Without treating shoes from water and dirt, the leather becomes less elastic, loses all its properties, cracks faster and becomes unusable.
If you do not use impregnation for shoes, they will quickly deteriorate and lose their attractive appearance. Therefore, it is recommended to definitely purchase a product for the season that will help cope with humidity, dirt and other unfavorable factors.
What happens to shoes when they get water:
- The strength
of most materials when wet
is lower
than when dry.
Leather
and textiles
faster
. - At low temperatures, water in the product expands, which leads to rupture of the fabric or protective membrane.
- Water forms a film, the membrane will stop breathing
- the vapors have nowhere to go. - After drying, the skin loses its elasticity
, becomes stiff, and
cracks
.
And what can we say about aesthetics when dirt and reagents get on shoes:
Reagents inside the leather continue to destroy shoes if neutralizing agents are not used promptly. Protect your shoes and yourself from getting wet and hypothermia
Special water-repellent impregnations will help.
What should I use as a treatment?
There are many different impregnations for shoes. Each of them is sold in different packages and differs in structure. The most popular options are:
- Shoe cream. Depending on the consistency, there may be liquid or thick structures. Made from natural fats, dyes and other materials. Designed exclusively for leather models. Other types of shoes will be damaged. Does not contain any solvents. For this reason, it does not help to completely protect the surface from possible damage. Most often used as a regular shoe polish to add natural shine and beauty to leather.
- Shoe spray is water-repellent. Designed for almost any type of materials used. Can also be used to process clothing. It is multifunctional. They are characterized by a long service life and excellent protective properties, which allows them to expand their scope of application.
- Impregnation for leather shoes. They penetrate deeply into the structure of the coating, which allows you to protect the product for a long time from the effects of adverse natural phenomena. Each type of fabric or leather has its own type of solution. It is not recommended to use a product that is not intended for this type of material. In specialized stores you can find what you need. Read the instructions and ingredients on the package carefully.
It is recommended to use a shoe spray to remove dirt and water. This is a more universal tool that does not depend on materials.
Traditional cleaning methods
Starch
This option is suitable for snow-white suede pile. It is necessary to sprinkle the surface with starch, and then remove the remaining powder with a special brush. This dry cleaning will preserve the color of your pair.
Starch also removes greasy stains well. You should sprinkle it on the dirt and leave it for 30 minutes, then clean the product off the suede.
Tip : to maintain the softness and shine of light leather shoes, once a week you can wipe them with a cotton pad soaked in sour cream or milk.
Onion
Onion juice is a wonderful remedy for fighting stains. Just apply a couple of drops to the stain, wipe with a damp cloth, and your boots will look like new. True, this method has a drawback - the specific smell of the vegetable persists for several days.
Baking soda
Cleaning with soda is perfect for white leather shoes. You will need to dissolve a tablespoon of powder in 200 ml of water, dip a soft cloth in the mixture and clean the surface with it. This product can remove fresh stains from shoes made of any material.
Tip : dissolve baking soda in warm water and mix the ingredients thoroughly so that no grains remain. If they get on a leather product, they can form microcracks during friction.
Vinegar
This product perfectly removes salt stains from leather shoes. You will need to dissolve 2 tsp. spoons of vinegar in 1 tbsp. l. water, mix. Wipe the surface with a cotton pad soaked in the mixture, remove excess liquid with a rag. Allow the products to dry at room temperature and then apply cream.
Impregnation operating principle
Each surface is characterized by special properties:
- Hydrophilicity. The liquid spreads over the entire surface and gets into all corners of the product.
- Hydrophobicity. Water is not absorbed, but collects in small drops on the surface.
A water-repellent spray for suede, leather and other types of natural materials must be used. These materials are classified as hydrophilic. At the same time, there are small pores on the surface of these materials, the ingress of water into which can damage the entire shoe.
You should not choose cheap products, as they create a film that does not allow your feet to breathe. It is better to opt for a hydrophobic product that forms a safe protective shell. Their cost varies from fifty to three thousand rubles.
Rules for choosing impregnation for suede shoes
To effectively protect the suede surface from dirt and moisture, you need to buy a series of special products that provide care at every stage of wear.
If you don’t have time for care, but there are a lot of suede shoes in stock, then you should definitely purchase universal protection against moisture and dirt, which will make a pair of shoes always neat and at the same time refresh the color. Such sprays are slightly more expensive, but are multifunctional.
A new pair of shoes should always be treated with a protective spray. This must be done even if you are not going to get wet in the rain. The fact is that the structure of natural suede actively absorbs pollution from the surrounding space. Therefore, all the dust on a new pair of shoes without treatment will fall on its surface, making the surface untidy and dirty.
All care products must be used within their expiration date. After its expiration, the product must be replaced.
Do not use leather creams or impregnations on suede. The different structure of these materials and their appearance require different care products.
Advantages and disadvantages of impregnation
High-quality water-repellent products for suede shoes are characterized by the following advantages:
- high efficiency and practicality;
- lightness, since their composition does not weigh down the shoes themselves;
- protect the surface from water ingress;
- make the skin more elastic and resistant to damage;
- convenient to use.
Some water-repellent shoe products have the following disadvantages:
- impregnation must be applied to the surface constantly;
- follow the manufacturer's instructions and do not violate the rules of use;
- some formulations have a specific odor, so it is recommended to carry out processing in well-ventilated areas;
- It is better to use specific products that are designed for a specific material.
How should you apply impregnation to suede shoes?
Before applying impregnation, make sure that the suede is well cleaned . The water-repellent agent should be sprayed at a distance of at least 30 cm from a pair of shoes. The room should be well ventilated.
It is important not to inhale the product when spraying. And also take care to cover the floor or area where the shoe is, since the spray can color the surface nearby (if it combines the properties of 2 in 1, where tone coloring is added to the protection).
Important! New boots are treated three times, and already worn ones should be treated with the product immediately after cleaning them once.
When purchasing suede shoes, you should immediately buy care products. You can consult with a specialist at a shoe store or buy the product at your own discretion. The main thing is to apply them constantly and in a timely manner.
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How to use?
First you need to study what water-repellent impregnation for clothes or shoes is intended for. Different materials will require different products. If you have many different models, choose universal sprays.
Choose a consistency that is convenient for you. The most convenient option is a spray. It allows you to quickly apply the composition, which allows it to soak in. At the same time, consumption goes faster than in creams or impregnations. Buy products only from trusted manufacturers.
Step-by-step instruction
Below we will look at how to use water-repellent shoe spray:
- Rinse and dry your shoes thoroughly.
- For suede, use a special brush and steam treatment of the surface in greasy areas.
- Excess moisture can be removed with newspaper or dry paper tissues.
- Use a water-repellent treatment for suede or other materials. Follow the instructions. Apply the solution in a thin layer and thoroughly treat the entire surface.
- For sensitive materials, a repeat procedure will be required.
- There is no need to use several means at the same time, since their actions are mutually exclusive.
Treatment with a water-repellent suede spray should occur several hours before leaving the house. It's best to do this at night.
For nutrition and polishing
The materials used to make footwear tend to dry out. For this reason, they require food. For this purpose, you can use cream, balm, lotion, conditioner. It is better to apply the product not with a sponge, but with a special brush (non-rigid) or a piece of cloth. After the material has dried, you need to start polishing. For this purpose, polishing wax, which has water-repellent properties, is widely used. Nutrition and polishing products will help maintain the original appearance of boots for as long as possible.
Cream
The offered shoe creams are thick (based on organic solvents) and liquid (emulsion). The first ones are best used in bad weather. They are suitable for products made of thick genuine leather. The latter are most effective in the warm season. They contain fewer solvents, which are replaced by water. Liquid shoe polish is ideal for an elegant pair of shoes made of thin leather. Compared to oily, thick formulations, it has a lower level of protection, but it provides long-lasting shine. Popular options:
- Collonil Nano Cream. An innovative product with nanoparticles. Cares for footwear, protecting them from deep dirt. Contains beeswax. Has a pleasant smell, suitable for Hi-Tech materials. Price – 546 RUR/50 ml.
- High Shine Niki Line. Liquid cream-gloss for smooth skin. Nourishes, maintains elasticity and at the same time protects from drying out. Sold in a bottle with a sponge. Price – 410 RUR/75 ml.
- Salamander Wetter Schutz. Cream with natural beeswax, intended for the care of smooth leather products. Intensively nourishes, renews color and keeps the material soft and elastic. Adds additional shine. Has water-repellent properties. Price – 149 rub./100 g.
- Kiwi Shoe Polish. Designed for the care of smooth leather products. The composition contains a unique wax from Carnauba palm leaves, which provides intensive care, nutrition, protects against water, and gives lasting shine. Sold in a metal can. Price – 55 rub./60 g.
- Kari. Helps restore the original color and adds shine without polishing. Contains palm wax. Available in black and brown colors. Price – 99 RUR/75 ml.
Wax
On sale in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities there are products for the care of women's and men's shoes in the form of wax. If you impregnate the material of the products with this composition, it will help them survive the vagaries of the weather and maintain an impeccable appearance. Shoe wax softens and cares for natural leather, protecting it from damage. The components included in the composition will protect the boots from drying out and give their surface smoothness and shine. High-quality wax can replace two leather care products at once: cream, water-repellent spray . A few examples:
- Saphir Amiral Gloss. Polishing polish, which contains hard waxes, fats, and oils. Created specifically to give a pair of shoes a mirror shine. Before polishing, it is recommended to thoroughly clean the surface with special creams. It can be black or colorless. Price – 700 RUR/50 ml.
- Saphir Pate de Luxe. Polishing wax that is ideal for high-gloss polishing of footwear products. It is a complex of mixtures based on carnauba wax, turpentine, beeswax and other components. Deeply impregnates leather material, renews color, softens, gives intense shine, water-repellent properties. Price – 550 RUR/50 ml.
- Saphir Mirror Gloss. Polishing wax based on waxes, oils, resins. Gives boots, shoes and other items shine. Available in black. Price – 1400 RUR/75 ml.
Colorless shoe wax Twist
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How to care for different types of shoes?
Different materials have different properties and require appropriate care. The most popular options are described below.
Patent leather shoes
The material is very sensitive to rough influence, so you need to use cotton wool or a cotton pad to carefully use the special product. To learn how to apply water-repellent impregnation for clothing, it is recommended that you read the instructions on the package. Try to wear patent leather shoes less in rainy weather so as not to spoil the shiny coating.
Suede
These shoes require careful care. Special brushes and soft products are used for cleaning. Problems especially arise in the off-season and winter. Water-repellent suede spray should only be applied to dry and clean shoes. Do not store it in bags as mold may form.
Genuine Leather
Leather shoes should only be treated with special creams to avoid damage to the surface. It is recommended to apply the product in a thin layer so as not to damage the structure of the shoe.
Summary
- Durable Water Repellent (DWR) is a treatment used to treat the outside of clothing, footwear, or equipment to make it hydrophobic.
- According to the degree of effectiveness, impregnations are divided into WR (5/80), DWR (10/80–20/80), SDWR (50/80–100/80) - the first number in the ratio indicates the number of washes at which 80% efficiency is maintained impregnation.
- DWR impregnations ensure effective operation of the membrane during rain or high humidity conditions.
- Friction, prolonged exposure to moisture, ultraviolet rays, pollution and frequent washing destroy the water-repellent coating, so the impregnation should be renewed from time to time.
- DWR impregnations vary in their purpose. They are used for both membrane and any other water-repellent, breathable clothing, as well as for insulated clothing and shoes.
- When choosing DWR, you should always adhere to the purpose of this impregnation and strictly follow the instructions for its use.
The best manufacturers of water-repellent impregnations
Among the best water-repellent impregnations and sprays for suede, the following should be noted:
- Collonil. An inexpensive product that is accessible to everyone. It is characterized by versatility, as it can be used for different materials. Covers the surface with a thin protective layer, which allows protection from adverse external influences. More suitable for use in the off-season.
- Salamander. Spray for nubuck and other materials. The optimum ratio of price and quality. Can be used for different things. At the same time, it has a pungent odor, so it is better to use it in an open space.
- Aqua booking. Spray for nubuck, which is sold in any market at an affordable price. It is characterized by versatility, as it can be used for clothing and objects. Does not contain harmful substances. Enough for several months of active use.
Listed above are the most popular manufacturers of water-repellent impregnations for shoes made of nubuck and other materials. Each of them is characterized by high quality. The only difference is the price.
Pros and cons of suede protectants
Products for protecting suede from precipitation and dirt have the following advantages:
- efficiency in caring for suede products (shoes do not dry out or warp);
- safety of the product for the human body;
- do not allow the material to fade (even when exposed to moisture, after such a spray the boots have their original tone);
- do not affect the breathability of the material.
Of the minuses:
- require strict adherence to instructions before use;
- processing time is required;
- when there is heavy rainfall, you have to buy more than one can of spray per season (some people consider this quite expensive, although the price is hardly 10% of the original cost of a pair of shoes).
For leather shoes
To protect leather boots or shoes from scuffs and other deformations, you need to know the rules for caring for them. The minimum kit should include wax, cream, brushes of different hardness, and a soft cloth. The first is needed to increase moisture resistance, the second - nutrition, restoration of color, the third and fourth - cleansing from dust, applying cream and polishing. Additionally, you can purchase shoe deodorant, softening and stretching spray, paint in spray form or in a dispenser. It would be a good idea to study the composition of shoe cosmetics:
- wax protects against external factors, provides well-grooming and a glossy effect;
- oils can restore freshness to the appearance;
- silicones polish the surface;
- Solvents remove dust;
- Water-repellent products are made based on fluorocarbon resins.
Fat creams, or shoe polishes, are considered classics of care. Due to the oils and fats they contain, such products provide intensive care for leather boots, shoes, shoes - this is especially necessary in the winter season. In summer, you can give preference to products based on silicones or solvents. For example, silicone shoe polish is a good choice. You can nourish a leather pair several times. For polishing, use a horsehair brush, nylon stocking or suede cloth.
