Winter walks often leave unsightly looks on your favorite boots. white stains. This is not just an aesthetic problem: road reagents and technical salt gradually destroy the structure of the material, making the leather dry and brittle, and the suede rough. To save your shoes and prolong their life, it is important to act immediately after returning home.
Before you begin removing stains, you need to prepare your shoes. You cannot place wet boots on a radiator – the sudden heat will cause the leather to deform and crack.
Proven cleaning methods
Each type of material has its own care rules that help effectively neutralize aggressive chemicals.
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Table vinegar. This is the most popular product for leather products. You need to mix vinegar with water in a ratio of one to two. Soak a soft cloth in the solution and wipe gently salt stains. After drying, the surface should be treated with a nourishing cream.
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Ammonia. Great for suede and nubuck. The contaminated areas are wiped with a mixture of water and ammonia, and then the pile is lifted with a special rubber brush.
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Castor oil. If stains on the skin are old, the oil will help restore elasticity to the material and push out remaining salt from the pores.
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Lemon juice. Natural acid works well to remove light stains on light-colored shoes without leaving a strong odor.
Protection and prevention
The most reliable way to deal with reagents is to create a protective barrier. Water repellent spray or quality shoe wax create an invisible film on the surface that prevents the saline solution from being absorbed into the deep layers of the material. You need to apply such products in advance, at least a couple of hours before going outside.
Regular cleaning of shoes immediately after contact with salt allows you to preserve the appearance of your shoes for several seasons. With proper care, even budget models retain their shape and rich color despite harsh urban conditions.
Timely removal of chemicals prevents material deterioration and eliminates the appearance of permanent defects.
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