You’ve probably heard the term “shoe care skills” before, but do you know what it means? It’s not just a phrase to make you think your dad is awesome or that he knows how to tie his shoes. Shoe care skills are important and will save you money in the long run. Most importantly, they can help prevent blisters and other foot problems from occurring. Here are nine shoe care skills your father should have taught you.

Cleaning Your Shoes

Start by wiping the dirt off with a damp cloth. If there is any more serious buildup of grime and dirt, use a mild soap solution or cleaning product to scrub it away. After you’ve cleaned them, shake out excess water before letting them air dry (or drying them with a blow-dryer). Also, don’t forget to use a brush for stubborn dirt.

Repairing a Torn Shoe

If you end up with a hole in your shoe, don’t panic! It’s fixable. All you need is some matching fabric (such as an old shirt), glue, and scissors to trim the fabric down to size. Apply a thin layer of adhesive on one side of the cut piece and place it over the hole in the shoe. Then, apply pressure to ensure the adhesive is good and stuck before letting it air dry (or drying with a blow-dryer).

Replacing a Broken Heel

If you’ve got shoes with heels that keep wearing down, it’s time to replace them. It may seem like an expensive process, but it will save you money in the long run, especially if your old ones are made of cheap plastic and break all the time. All you need is some strong glue, matching the color of paint, and a brush to apply the glue. First, remove as much of the old heel from inside your shoe before painting it with adhesive. Next is where you’ll want to put on some gloves because this next step can be messy–mix up the paint in a separate bowl so that no clumps or chunks are lurking in the mixture. Pour your paint inside the shoe as you mix it up with a brush and let it dry overnight before wearing them.

Fixing a Broken Zipper

If your shoe’s zipper gets stuck and it won’t budge, fear not! There are two ways to fix this problem. The first is by using some cooking oil on the teeth of the zip to free it up. Secondly, you can also use latex (or other) glue that will work on both metal and plastic zippers. Apply the glue to the zipper teeth, wait a few minutes to dry (or use heat), then try again.

Pinning a Broken Strap

Shoes with straps that are always coming undone? This is an easy fix! Grab some safety pins, thread them through the hole in your shoe’s broken strap and pin it on the other side. It’ll stay put for as long as you want it to–even if you’re out doing yard work.

Adjusting the Tightness of Your Shoe

If you have a pair of shoes that are too loose, there’s an easy fix. All you need is some light-weight string and scissors to do this–just cut two pieces long enough for both ends (one piece will go across the width while one goes from side-to-side). Then, tie one end of your string to the back of your shoe and pull it tight. Next, put the other piece on in a way that crisscrosses the first before tying both strings together at the top with an overhand knot.

We hope these shoe care skills helped you learn a thing or two about caring for your shoes. It’s important to remember that you’ll be able to repair them with household items most of the time, hence saving lots of money in the long run. In the meantime, keep your shoe’s shape strong with cedar shoe trees.

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