hats - collecting and cleaning tips

With fall just around the corner, it's time to start thinking about what footwear you want to accompany you through the cold months ahead. If you're lucky, however, you may have a pair from last year (or the year before) that would be perfectly serviceable…albeit with a little extra TLC to make sure it lasts through the next six months without falling apart or looking extremely shabby. So if you're looking for a few fix-em-up tips that you can do yourself to get your fall boots in shipshape quickly, then here's what you need to know.

Scuff Marks

Scuff marks will not only label your boots as last year's crop, but can also make the boot on the whole look rather unsightly. In order to get rid of scuff marks, check the material that your boot is made out of. For patent leather, polishing the scuff with petroleum jelly and a cloth will make even the whitest streaks disappear; you can also use nail polish remover without acetone to achieve the same effect, making sure to follow up with petroleum jelly for shine. For vinyl, however, a rubber eraser worked (very) gently over the scuff marks is probably the best tool you can use.

Sole Repair

One of the more frustrating pieces of damage that can happen to a boot is when the sole starts to peel off. Not only does this ruin the physical integrity of your boot, it also just looks unsightly and can even trip you up if the lose sole gets caught on something. To repair a lose sole, use a glue designed for shoe repair (such as Shoe Goo, or any other similar brands), and spread a small dot or two around the base of the shoe where the sole has separated from it. After that, push down on the sole from the inside of the boot using your hand to ensure that no lumps remain. In order to make sure that the sole really sticks while it's drying over the next 24 hours, use a clamp to hold the sole to the boot's base.

Waterproofing

The last step you should take is to ensure that your boot holds water – aka, that it's waterproof enough to last through the upcoming rains and snows. Waterproofing spray can be found at most shoe stores, or even at your local supermarket. To use this spray, ensure you are in a well-ventilated space (as you should always be when using any type of aerosol product) and spray away at your shoe, holding it up off the ground with a gloved hand. The key here is to create an unbroken seal along your shoe to serve as a sort of shield against the wetter elements of the cold seasons.

For more information or assistance, contact companies like White's Boots.