13 Hacks to Keep Your Shoes Looking Like New

When it comes to shoes, we’re used to paying the big bucks, so naturally, we want them to last as long as possible. Luckily there are great tips for all kinds of shoes to keep them looking as good as new.

13. Candle wax care

Want your fabric shoes to be waterproof? Take some wax or paraffin candle and rub it on the shoes — it will prevent any water from going through the fabric.

12. Stretching out shoes

Are those fancy shoes you just purchased too tight? Put a cup of water in a Ziplock bag, place it in the shoe, and put the shoes in the freezer — the water will turn into ice and push the sides of the shoe apart. Leave them there overnight, and they’ll be ready to wear in the morning.

11. Cleaning fabric shoes

If your shoes are lighter in color, you know how fast they can turn gray and so dirty that even a washing machine can’t help. Get an old toothbrush, and mix together a little baking soda, some hydrogen peroxide, and water. Dip the brush into the mix and rub it on the shoe. This should take the dirt right off!

10. Cleaning sneakers

Gym shoes and sneakers not only have fabric on them, but they also have rubber parts. The best thing to clean rubber with, is well, rubber! Take a melamine rubber eraser and clean off anything from the rubber parts of your shoe.

9. Renewing leather shoes

Leather shoes start looking old over time, especially when they get wet. To make them look better, you’ll need to get some water and vinegar.

Mix the ingredients at a ratio of 2 parts water to 1 part vinegar. Spray the mixture on the shoe or apply with a cloth and gently rub it off with the cloth or with a shoe brush. Repeat if needed.

8. Keeping boots shapely

Boot storage can be tricky, but you can easily make it through, thanks to these simple tricks. If you have boots with soft legs, take a heavy magazine, fold it into a tube, and place it in the boot. The magazine will keep your boots upright so the part between the foot and leg won’t crinkle.

7. Keeping shoes fresh

Gym shoes definitely don’t smell like a bouquet of roses. Eliminate the stinky problem by putting tea bags in them overnight and in between gym sessions.

6. Keeping leather shiny

To keep your leather shoes lookin shiny and new, simply use a banana peel! Rub the peel onto the leather and wipe the leftover banana residue with a soft paper napkin.

5. Getting rid of shoe scuffs

Do your gorgeous party shoes have black scuffs on them from knocking into each other? There’s a solution. You’ll need:

• Nail polish remover
• Q-tips

Wet the Q-tips slightly with nail polish remover, then while pressing gently, remove black scratches from your favorite shoes.

4. Sweat prevention

Dealing with sweaty feet is real problem for those of us living in warm countries and also during hot summers. So, to prevent your feet from sweating profusely and smelling bad afterwards, try putting female sanitary pads in them.

3. Pavement grab

Trying to wear perfectly new shoes that are so slippery you can’t go out in them is annoying. You have several choices here — you can either file down the first layer on the bottom of the shoe, or if that doesn’t help, grab a glue gun and create some patterns. Let it dry before wearing.

2. Packing up your footwear

If you need to pack up fast and you don’t have enough time to clean up your spare shoes beforehand, simply put them in a shower cap. This will keep your clothing clean and shoes packed nice and tight.

1. Stepping in gum

If you’ve had the misfortune of stepping in chewing gum, don’t try to get it off right away. Find a piece of ice and put it directly on the gum. It will make the gum harder, so you can get it off more easily.