s
Heel to Toe
Shoe Repair 101

It is important to take care of your shoes. If you do get a scuff, snag or worse, a little shoe repair lesson can come in pretty handy. A girl doesn’t want to get caught without her favorite pair, so take shoe repair into your own hands with these helpful tips.

Simple Scuffs

There are lots of easy shoe repair fixes for the simple scuff. Water and salt from ice melt can wreak havoc on shoes. When this happens, look no further than the kitchen. A mixture of water and white vinegar can get the crusty salt marks off. If they are especially stubborn try this treatment two or three times.

Patent leather can reclaim its shine with a little bit of Windex. Leather shoe scratches can be buffed out with a tiny bit of moisturizer.

Clean dirt off suede by rubbing shoes with a stale crust of bread. If your suede shoes are more than just dirty and are beyond home remedy, try a cleaning kit such as the suede shoe care kit from our friends at Foot Fitter. The combo restores suede, cleans and eliminates shiny spots. This product can also be used on hand bags, boots and clothes.

Moderate Malfunctions

Some shoe repair issues will need a little more than a spray and a buff. Waterproofing a canvas pair of kicks can be achieved with beeswax. There are also some specialty waterproofing products out there (again, see Foot Fitter) and when applied with care, your feet can be warm and dry all day.

Broken straps may be repaired with a tactful application of shoe glue. Shoe adhesive can be found at most drug stores and super glue would work in a pinch. First, carefully clean the area and snip off any stray threads. Then, apply glue to both pieces and let it set for two minutes. Lastly, press pieces together and clamp to hold, a clothespin or paperclip works great. Let dry for at least 24 hours.

Gravel, rough surfaces and natural wear and tear can really do some damage to your heel tips. These little heel tips help you protect them in advance if you have the foresight, extend the life of heels showing wear and tear, and even fix heels beyond repair.

When To Seek Help

You might find it worth the time to simply seek out a shoe repair. Make sure to take all pieces of the broken heel with you to the cobbler. The same holds true for a split heel, if you want a repair job to stand the test of time, go to a professional. 

Fix a scuff, strap and more with these simple tips and keep yourself on your toes, in your favorite shoes. 

What to do Before Going to the Cobbler

Does the word "Cobbler" remind you of warm gooey peaches topped with a crunchy crust, straight from the oven? Cobbler is not only a favorite dessert, it’s an old word and an old profession. A trusted Cobbler can be the shoe lover's best friend.

With the amount of thought, mental scrutiny, money and time that you put into selecting every pair of shoes, wouldn't it make sense to take precautions to protect your investment in fabulosity? Use our three "step" program below before going to the cobbler.

The Pre-Cobbler Three Step Program (no pun intended)

shoe repair

Step 1. Pre-treat: A little shoe-shine can go a long way! Have you spotted one those funny couches in an airport or city street? Well, they serve a function! Treat your feet and your shoes to a little treat. Shoe polish not only cleans and sparkles a dull finish but can condition a shoe's material and extend the life of a favorite pair of kicks. If its the winter season, add a water repellent.


Slippery Shoe

Step 2. Clean: For the same reason as periodic treatments, keep those shoes clean. Dirt will degrade leather, suede or man-made material and lead to a faster break-down, which can result less traction and a less-than-solid shoe statement. Make sure the heel and sole are clean and free of debris as well as the interior of the shoe and foot bed.    

Shoe Care Cleaning

Step 3. Protect: For every type of shoe, there is a treatment to ensure your feet are looking their best. Consider a high heel protector for higher heels and for peace of mind that those heels are resting assuredly on your favorite bar stool rung.

And, last but not least...

High Heel Protector

Repair: If there is damage beyond what a clean and polish can take care of, such as a deep nick, scratch, or a snapped heel, you should head to the nearest shoe Cobbler. In case of breakage, remember to keep any and all parts of the shoe. The cobbler may need them to reconstruct. This can be a hefty investment but worth it for a favorite pair of shoes. 

Note that many cobblers don’t have websites. Ask other snappy shoe owners for their go-to spot. We're sure they’d be happy to share.

Images (top down): jikatu, statickflickr, cocoparisienne, weinheld90

Clickless High Heel Protectors

How to Make Old Heels Look New

When you step out to strut your stuff, it’s always a good idea to put your best foot forward. But what if that foot is firmly planted in a favorite pair of heels that has started to look a little worn? Splits, chips, scuffs, scrapes and rips are common high heel problems that can all be fixed at home. Whether a furry friend has used your heels as a chew toy, or you're the victim of simple wear and tear, there are a number of steps you can take to put a spring back in your step and give an old pair of heels a loving little face lift.

5 Ways to Make High Heels Look Newer

1. Replace the Heel Tip

Because of pressure that the heel endures, a lost or chipped heel tip is a common issue. A replacement kit can be found at a shoe repair shop, online or at your local craft store. First, glue any split or torn fabric back to the heel with adhesive applied with a sponge or small nail brush. If damage is extensive, camouflage with a matching color acrylic paint. Second, either glue or hammer the tip into place. Lastly, file the heel tip to fit the shape of your shoe, but not too much that you weaken it. One way to prevent the need for this type of fix by wearing high heel protectors, especially when walking outdoors and on rough surfaces. 

2. Fix a Broken Ankle Strap

Don’t let this common problem slow you down. A sketchy heel strap, or blown out flip-flop or sandal is actually a very easy fix! A number of shoe adhesives are available at drug stores or even superglue would work in a pinch. First, remove any dirt or dust with a dry cloth, surfaces must be dry for the glue to set. Second, remove any stray thread or torn fabric. Apply glue and let sit for at least two minutes. Third, press pieces gently together and use a clamp to hold, a clothespin or paperclip will do. Let dry for 24 hours.

3. Walk This Way

When heels don’t fit properly they will show signs of age sooner. Luckily, there are a number of products that do double duty to help your feet and your fabulous heels! If an ankle rubs the back of the shoe, apply a band aid to create a barrier, or gel pads are re-usable. Foot inserts are available to take pressure off the ball of the foot, and arch supports help support the foot and back. The better fitting heel will instantly look newer.  

4. Condition, Condition, Condition

For any heel material, there is a way to clean and a way to pre-treat. A favorite shoe store or online site features a number of products to spiff up your heels. Each season, take out your collection of shoes and give each a clean. Then, depending on the circumstances, waterproof, de-salt, brush and buff each pair to perfection. Each pair will look renewed and this will prolong the life of the shoe.

5. Scratch & Color Fixes

When conditioning alone doesn't fix scratches, tears and scrapes, additional repair might be necessary. This is difficult with fabric shoes, but can be done with other materials as long as it isn't too deep or wide. First, prep the shoe by buffing out each scrape with leather oil. Then, use a color matching shoe polish to disguise the blemish.

Conclusion

Old age isn’t a good reason to retire a pair of heels, and expensive high heels are particularly worthy of the effort to keep them looking new. Renew your shoes with these handy tips and tricks and old becomes new again. It’s like getting new shoes without spending much money, and that makes everyone feel fabulous!

Clickless High Heel Protectors

22 Shoe Hacks To Keep You Kickin'
  1. Use beeswax to waterproof canvas shoes. Don't forget to set the wax with a blow dryer. 
  2. Use a mixture of vinegar and water to scrub salt and water stains off leather shoes.
  3. Clean dirt off suede by rubbing it with a stale crust of bread.
  4. Make patent shoes shiny again using window cleaner such as Windex.
  5. Remove scratches on leather shoes with a tiny bit of moisturizer. 
  6. Break your shoes in by wearing them with socks and making them more pliable by blowdrying them.
  7. Look for stitching in shoe soles to determine if they can get re-soled. This is especially important when shopping for vintage shoes.
  8. Throw canvas sneakers into the washing machine to clean them. Let them air dry.
  9. When traveling, pack your shoes in a plastic bag or shower cap to keep the soles from touching your clothes and other belongings.
  10. Put wadded newspaper into shoes when you're not wearing them to absorb odor and moisture. 
  11. Use your shoe to open a bottle of wine in a pinch. See the video here
  12. Air dry your socks to make them last longer.
  13. Use pant hangers (the kind with clips) to store tall boots. It'll reduce mess and keep the boots from slumping.
  14. Add a colored pom pom clip to your shoes to add some flair to your next holiday (St. Paddy's, Christmas, or Independence Day).
  15. Add a pop of color to your oxfords by spray painting the soles.
  16. Use iron-on fabric to replace the insoles of your shoes once they get old, if you purchased a vintage pair, or if you just want to liven up the pattern.
  17. Once the heels of your high heels or stilettos are damaged to the point where you can no longer wear them, add glitter to the heels to cover it up and get more mileage out of them.
  18. Spray tights and leggings with hairspray to prevent runs.
  19. Use a ladder to store your high heels.
  20. Reduce the look of small nicks by using a similarly colored nail polish.
  21. Use a metallic spray paint to add a shiny tip to ballet flats.
  22. If you get a run in your pantyhose, use nail polish to prevent it from running further. 
Sources: lifehacker.comwhowhatwear.com, complex.com, lovelyindeed.com, thebudgetfashionista.com, grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.ro

Clickless High Heel Protectors

High Heel Covers & Why You Need Them

 How many stiletto heels have you bid goodbye to by walking on uneven ground, breaking or chipping off a heel? Or perhaps your downfall is that you let your high heels deteriorate in storage or during travel, shoving them into too tight of a space.

Whatever the reason you keep ruining your favorite high heels, it’s time to wise up and start using high heel protectors. That’s right, they are known by various names like ‘heel protectors’, ‘heel covers’, ‘shoe stopper’ or ‘heel cap’, but they all have the same function: to lengthen the life of your high heels.

What Are Heel Covers?

There are different types of heel covers, and what you choose will depend on the type of wear your heels typically see. Some are nothing but a small case or bag for your shoe to protect it from dust and scratching while in storage. There is also the good old-fashioned type of shoe cover. First, the shoehorn, which will maintain the shape of your high heel if you have it shoved into a tight space for storage or travel. Second, a simple leather protectant balm or spray can help keep your kicks looking fabulous.

Predictably, your heel tip is the most vulnerable to damage on any surface, and once the heel tip is damaged, the shoe by itself loses its purpose. Hence, some high heel covers are caps that you put over the tip of the heel to protect it. It doesn’t matter how hard you work out with that gym membership, your heels have to carry your entire weight on a teeny tiny heel point. So, this type of heel cover protects the heel and allows for more “give”, not only extending the life of the heel, but also cushioning the step for the shoe’s wearer.

What Are The Benefits Of Using Heel Covers?

  • Extends Life of Heel – What could be more rewarding than your favorite shoes lasting longer than you thought? Heel covers can actually extend the life span of your heels. Since high heel fashion is timeless, they’re a worthwhile investment.
  • Saves Money – Heel covers help you save money in the long run, because your favorite black, red, nude, and white heels will stay intact and looking like the day you bought them. No more last-minute runs to the mall when you need a pair to match tomorrow’s outfit.
  • Reduces Slip Risk – No more slipping and embarrassing yourself on the dance floor. The heel cap covers will give you the grip you need to enjoy yourself without concern.
  • Prevents Damage – Now you can be sure that your heel is safe from harsh surfaces like gravel, as well as dust, grime, salt, water and such harmful properties that can literally kill any beautiful heels.
  • Makes High Heels More Comfortable - Certain heel covers preserve the shape of your shoe or even make walking in them more comfortable. That's a benefit we can all get on board with!
So what do you think? Will you be purchasing high heel covers to help keep your stilettos last longer? You get them in different shapes, sizes and colors, so you can get them according to your dress or the function that you may be attending.

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