High quality formal leather shoes are quite durable. However, the movement of your feet when wearing formal shoes can cause the skin to shrivel. While some wrinkles on shoes cannot be fixed, there are ways to prevent wrinkles in formal leather shoes.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Preventing Wrinkles in Shoes
Step 1. Choose shoes with the right size
If the shoe is too loose, the leather will bend more often. This is one of the main causes of leather shoes shrinking. Generally, wrinkles will appear on the toes. Therefore, choose shoes that fit your feet, but are not too narrow.
Step 2. Apply a waterproof spray before putting on the shoes
A waterproof spray can protect your shoes from water or damp air. Water and damp air will make it easier for your shoes to wrinkle.
- You can buy a water repellent spray at your nearest shoe store.
- Water repellent spray will not make the shoes water resistant. Therefore, after applying a waterproof spray, you should still keep your shoes away from water.
- Reapply the waterproof spray once a year.
Step 3. Wear the shoes in a place that is not wet when they are new
Most leather shoes have to be worn for 24 hours to allow them to flex. You need to keep leather shoes away from water. If your shoes get wet when you put them on, the skin may shrivel up in the crook of the toe.
When the shoe has flexed, you still need to keep it out of the water so the leather doesn't change color
Step 4. Use a shoe horn when putting on shoes
Shoe spoons are long, flat objects that open the back of the shoe so that the foot can slide in more easily. Shoe spoons can also help prevent wrinkling and damage to the back of the shoe.
You can buy shoe spoons at your nearest shoe store
Step 5. Use a shoe tree when not wearing shoes
Shoe tree is a tool that is inserted into the shoe and serves to absorb moisture and maintain the shape of the shoe. Using a shoe tree when the shoes are not being worn is very important because it can prevent the appearance of wrinkles on the leather shoes.
- You can buy shoe trees at the nearest shoe store.
- If you don't want to use a shoe tree, you can keep the shape of the shoe by inserting a tissue or newspaper into it.
Step 6. Don't wear shoes two days in a row
Allow the shoes to dry for a day when they are worn. If the shoes are worn 2 days in a row, the moisture from your feet will seep into the leather and cause them to shrivel.
Step 7. Use a toe tap if the leather shoe has a pointed toe
Toe taps are small discs that are placed on the toe of the shoe with a pointed tip. Toe taps can help protect the toe of the shoe, which is prone to damage. Damage to the sole can cause the top of the shoe to deform and shrivel.
Toe taps are generally installed by means of nails. To make sure the toe tap is installed correctly, ask a professional cobbler for help
Step 8. Stuff the inside of the shoe with a sock before putting it in the suitcase
If you are going out, you can stuff your shoes with socks. This can help keep the shoe in shape when it's in the suitcase.
Step 9. Apply conditioner every 3-6 months
Leather conditioner serves to keep the surface of the shoe soft and supple. By doing this, when the shoe bends, permanent wrinkles will not appear. Leather conditioner is generally in the form of a lotion and can be applied to the leather.
You generally need to apply conditioner every 3-6 months. However, if you live in a dry area, you may need to apply conditioner more often
Method 2 of 2: Remove Wrinkles Using Oil
Step 1. Moisturize wrinkles with special oil
Make sure the wrinkles are evenly coated with oil so that the surrounding skin surface becomes supple. The oil will protect the shoes when heated.
You can buy leather oil, such as mink oil or neatsfoot oil, at your local leather supply or shoe store
Step 2. Use a heat gun or hairdryer to soften the leather
Move the nozzle of the heat gun when it is turned on, and do not focus on a single point for more than 2-3 seconds. This process generally takes a few minutes.
Thin skin is more prone to discoloration when exposed to heat. Therefore, try heating a small area on the heel of the shoe before heating the entire surface of the shoe
Step 3. Massage the leather of the shoe until the wrinkles disappear
The combination of oil and heat will make the skin softer. Use your hands to stretch and soften the wrinkled skin until the wrinkles fade.
Step 4. Use the shoe tree and let the shoe temperature return to normal
Insert the shoe tree into the shoe as tightly as possible. When the shoe cools, the shriveled area will disappear and the leather will return to normal.
