Water repellency leather shoes lost after a few weeks of wearing it. And with the onset of slushy weather, this can cause colds, since the legs need dryness and warmth. Therefore, you need to know how to treat shoes so that they do not get wet, and how to make them waterproof even in the wettest weather.
To do this, there are many factory and folk remedies that very effectively cope with this task.
Why do shoes get wet
Shoes can leak for the following reasons:
Sole defects and repair
Many are interested in the question of what to do if the shoes get wet. When shoes leak, the first thing to check is the sole, as often the cause of wet feet is associated with damage or poor quality. If the sole has defects or poor quality, then in wet weather it is better not to risk your health by wearing such shoes for a walk. It is necessary to carefully examine it, identify defects and take the following measures:
In order not to suffer in the future with the question of how to protect shoes from getting wet, carefully check the quality of the sole and seams when buying.
Suede and leather care
Poor-quality leather allows moisture to pass through quite quickly, so figure out how to soak your shoes from getting wet so that they do not wear out and your feet are dry.
Leather
Shoe care can be carried out using special water-repellent compounds for any materials. There are plenty of these funds on the market, and it will be easiest to use them. Impregnation in the form of a spray, a special cream or wax is suitable for the skin. Keep in mind that the emulsion cream will not be able to protect against moisture, so you need to choose an organic product with a high content of oils, wax and fat.
You can use folk remedies that will protect your leather shoes from getting wet.
Instead of a cream for treating skin and seams, castor oil is used.
You can also prepare special mixtures:
- Recipe #1
Turpentine - ½ tbsp. l.
Fish oil - 4 tsp
Flaxseed oil - 4 tsp
- Recipe number 2
Wax or paraffin - 1 tsp.
Flaxseed oil - 1 tsp or animal fat and castor oil (1:1).
Flaxseed oil can be replaced with melted animal (goose) fat. It is believed that waterfowl have the most suitable composition of body fat.
Suede and nubuck
Cream and wax for suede will not work. To protect this material from moisture, you need to use special impregnations in the form of a spray, which are made on the basis of waterproof emulsions.
Regardless of the type of material and method of processing, impregnation can only be done on dry and clean shoes 6 hours before going outside. If necessary, the procedure must be repeated regularly, since the water-repellent effect of the spray and wax is not endless.
So that the shoes are worn for a long time and do not get wet, impregnate new shoes with a protective substance. To do this, lubricate and treat them with a suitable agent several times at daily intervals. If the product has ceased to actively absorb the cream, oil or spray, it means that it has been soaked. After a little drying, you can safely go about your business.
Other materials
Purchased water-repellent products are not suitable for leather substitutes and fabrics, since artificial leather does not absorb fat, and it is simply stupid to treat light textile shoes with oil or cream. Although leatherette boots can still be saved.
If leatherette shoes let water through, it means that the sole is damaged or poorly sewn. You already know what to do in these cases: repair it yourself or take it to a workshop, and after repair you can wear it without risk to health.
How to process shoes so that they do not get wet
Protecting shoes from water with special means will extend the life of your boots and boots. Such sprays and creams can be bought at a shoe store. The most effective of them are I:
Proper shoe protection
To ensure maximum protection of shoes from getting wet, you need to correctly apply the appropriate product. . For this you need:
When choosing a cream for winter shoes pay attention to the amount of fat contained in the product - they should be at least 40 percent.
- It is advisable to lubricate the shoes a day before using them.
For leather boots, sneakers and berets should apply creams. Textiles, nubuck and suede are treated with aerosols.
How to make waterproof shoes at home
Water-repellent (hydrophobic) properties any protective cream is supported in it by the high content of wax and fat. And cheaply purchase or prepare such products at home is not difficult at all. There are some effective simple recipes to help protect your shoes from getting wet.
Treat leather shoes and boots with petroleum jelly. To do this, you need to lubricate the entire surface of the shoe with this agent, and especially carefully soak all joints and seams.
You can prepare the following composition:
- Ghee mutton fat and linseed oil - equal proportions.
- Turpentine - 1/5 of the volume of fat and oil.
All components are mixed and a warm mixture is applied to the boots with a flannelette rag.
Use an effective water-repellent cream that you can prepare at home. To do this, you need to take wax (can be replaced with paraffin) and linseed oil in a ratio of three to one, respectively. Melt the wax, add linseed oil to it, rub the resulting mixture into shoes or boots.
For amplification protective properties rough skin, you can use castor oil. After the procedure of rubbing into the leather material, the shoes must be polished. To increase the water resistance of the product, animal fat can be added.
Beeswax is a great way to protect boots and boots from getting wet. If you add crushed rosin and turpentine to it, then you will get an effective water-repellent cream, which in its protective properties is not much different from factory analogues. To prepare this remedy you will need:
- Beeswax - 20 gr.
- Turpentine - 10 gr.
- Rosin - 50 gr.
Another good recipe from the components you already know:
- Turpentine - 30 gr.
- Beeswax - 10 gr.
- Liquid fish oil - 40 gr.
- Glycerin - 20 gr.
To prepare this shoe cream, you must successively mix turpentine, beeswax and fish oil. Melt the resulting mixture over low heat, and then add the glycerin. Warm cream is applied to leather shoes.
The following method is quite simple and does not require special abilities and improvised materials. Take a white candle and melt it. Spread warm paraffin in a dense layer over the entire surface of the boots or boots, carefully treating the butt joints and seams.
Then turn on the hair dryer and heat up the waxed shoes. Wax under the influence of temperature will begin to melt and fill invisible pores and small holes, which are the reason for water to enter the product.
Preventive measures
In order not to urgently resolve the issue of how to protect shoes from getting wet, you should take the necessary preventive measures immediately after purchase. In stores now you can find a lot of different special tools that differ in composition:
But before using this or that remedy, you need to know the features of applying a cream or spray:
If you stick to these professional advice, as well as use folk home methods, your feet will always be dry and warm, despite the vagaries of the weather.
Attention, only TODAY!
Why protect clothes and shoes from water is a rather rhetorical question. Precipitation, first of all, is in contact with the surface of shoes and clothing, and the protective membrane is often applied from the wrong side.
What happens to shoes when water gets in:
- Strength most materials when wet below than dry. Skin destruction and textile going faster.
- At low temperatures, the water in the product expands, causing rupture of tissue or protective membrane.
- Water forms a film stop breathing- couples have nowhere to go.
- After drying, the skin loses elasticity, becomes rigid, cracking.
And what can we say about aesthetics when dirt and reagents get on shoes:
Reagents inside the leather continue to destroy shoes if neutralizers are not used in time. Protect your shoes and yourself from getting wet and hypothermia special water-repellent impregnations.
How to treat shoes from water, dirt and reagents.
Universal impregnations are designed for suede, leather, textiles and high-tech membranes. Suitable for different types skin.
Impregnations are called protect shoes and clothes from getting wet, salt and dirt. After processing the product, water and dirt do not linger on the surface of the shoe, after which they can be easily removed with a sponge or cloth.
Regular use of shoe polish improves appearance product and allows it to last longer. fit for the whole family.
How water repellents work
Consider 2 impregnations from the Tarrago brand:
- High Tech Nano Protector
- Classical impregnation Universal Protector
Classic impregnation Universal Protector Tarrago founded based on fluorocarbon resins. It impregnates the material through and through, and when it dries, it forms a membrane inside the skin.
Therefore, it retains water-repellent properties longer. The pores of the skin are narrowed - water drops do not penetrate, and air exchange is preserved - the shoes do not get wet and "breathe".
A Nano impregnation Tarrago is applied over a cream or dye spray as a last layer to keep the lint that prevents a drop of water from gaining a foothold on the surface. Nano-particles cover all fibers, forming protective layer on the surface and making it hydrophobic.
impregnated surface, attracts less water, which is collected in drops and is weaker drawn by surface tension forces into the pores of the tissue. A similar effect for lotus flowers- drops of water just roll off them.
Important! Impregnations should not contain silicone so that the material "breathes". When buying, be sure to pay attention to the composition of the product!
Tarrago impregnations do not leave marks on fabric and skin, do not change the color and structure of the product, do not dry the skin. Applicable for all kinds of membrane materials.
How often to apply impregnation
If you spend a lot of time on the street, and bad weather is raging there and it is raining like a bucket, or it is sleet, or it is slush on the street, and the day before there was ice and the roads were abundantly sprinkled with salt and reagents, then use water-repellent impregnations every day!
Under mechanical action (for example, stepped on a boot in public transport) The protective membrane of Nano-Impregnation may be damaged. In such cases, the impregnation is applied again.
Important! Impregnation must not be applied to wet material, only dry and cleansed leather, textiles. Handle outdoors or in a well ventilated area.
Where to buy Tarrago impregnations
Ask for Tarrago products in shoe stores in your city. Map of points of sale and list of online stores.
Protect all shoes from water, dirt and chemicals!
Do you know the easiest way to get sick in spring or summer? Enough to get your feet wet! Remember how many times you, instead of enjoying the warmth, wiped your nose and washed down the pills? This fate befalls me every year. But this time I am determined to stay healthy. I am sure you are not going to come down with a temperature either, and even more so you do not want your children to catch a cold. Let's make our shoes waterproof for this!
After a way was found not to slip into ice, I decided not to stop and protect my boots from moisture penetration. Since friends and colleagues became interested in my experiments, I had to look for ways that would be suitable for their shoes. After all, it is necessary to save boots from moisture, depending on the material that was used in its tailoring.
Having studied a bunch of sources, I concluded that it does not matter, new shoes you have or the old one. Both, unfortunately, get wet. The only difference is that cheaper boots get wet faster due to poor-quality seams and the lack of special impregnation.
The ways to protect shoes from moisture, which I will now discuss, should first be tested on a small and inconspicuous area of \u200b\u200bthe material. Boot from natural materials this is of little concern, but the owners of leatherette shoes should take precautions.
I'll start with the most elementary - store-bought protection for shoes. Everything is very simple here. If you have leather shoes, waxing and creaming will suit you. Wax has no smell, and the coloring pigment that is added to it allows you to cover up scratches. The main disadvantage of the remedy is the short-term effect. You will have to lubricate the shoes before each exit to the street, for which, you see, there is not always time.
In addition to wax, shoe stores may offer special water-repellent creams. They are divided into two types: emulsion and organic. Emulsion, with the addition of various chemicals, should be used in the warm season, so that if moisture gets on the shoes, the skin does not crack from direct sunlight.
You can easily recognize organic shoe polish by its characteristic smell. It contains organic fats, oils and wax, which create a special film and protect our shoes from moisture.
For suede shoes in special stores you can easily find water-repellent sprays and aerosols. When buying such a product, pay attention to the label. The composition must necessarily contain substances such as photocarbon resins and propane-butane. It is they who do not allow moisture to penetrate inside suede or nubuck shoes.
Cheap in my experience store funds do not work or their effect is too short-term. And not everyone can afford to buy expensive water-repellent sprays or creams for all family members. Therefore, I offer you some effective folk recipes that have been tested by me and my family.
To prepare a homemade water-repellent for leather and leatherette shoes, you will need: 4 teaspoons of castor oil, 4 - linseed oil and 2 tsp. grated paraffin (you can rub a regular paraffin candle). All components should be thoroughly mixed and melted in a water bath. Pour the prepared mixture into a glass container and keep it away from children so that they do not spill it.
Before applying the product to shoes, be sure to dry it and clean it of dirt. Then use a hair dryer to direct a jet of warm air onto the boots. When their surface warms up a little, using a regular sponge or cotton pads, apply homemade ointment. It is better to do this in the evening, 6-8 hours before leaving the house, so that the product has time to be absorbed.
The second tool is great for men, as you do not have to bother with its preparation. It will take only 100 milliliters of refined gasoline (it is easy to buy at a hardware store) and a teaspoon of grated paraffin. Stir the ingredients thoroughly until the chips are completely dissolved.
The disadvantage of the product is that it is not suitable for smokers, but the big plus is that the protective film that it forms will repel not only water, but also dirt. If dust or dirt gets on the shoes, it will be enough to wipe them with a napkin - and the shoes are like new!
Note! Prepared products protect only the surface of the material from which your shoes are made. Water-repellent ointment will not save cracked seams or fabric inserts.
If your kids don't like to get around puddles and you're sure any water repellent won't help, then you should purchase a dedicated shoe dryer and a spare pair of boots. Otherwise, the child risks not only putting on wet shoes and catching a cold, but also catching a fungus, and then infecting all family members with it.
Protecting shoes from getting wet is a priority that needs to be addressed before the onset of the rainy season. If you do not do this, then the legs will constantly be wet, which will increase the likelihood of various diseases.
Why do shoes get wet
Wet feet after a walk become an unpleasant surprise for every person. To fix this problem, you need to determine exactly why the shoes get wet. There are a lot of reasons for this trouble, but the most common of them are the following:
- Peeled out sole. Such a problem arises due to poor-quality connection of this part of the product with a boot or boot, as well as due to mechanical damage.
- chemicals. The streets are sprinkled with various reagents that can not only eliminate a dangerous natural phenomenon, but also harm boots. These substances gradually corrode the sole, forming microcracks in it. If there are many such minor damages, then the product will begin to leak.
- Lack of special protective impregnation. Unscrupulous shoe manufacturers are trying to save money and omit an important step in the surface treatment of products. If you buy such a defective pair, then it will quickly begin to pass water.
- Low quality shoes. Boots, sneakers, tarpaulin boots and other varieties of products are manufactured at hundreds of enterprises. Some manufacturers try to reduce the cost of products by using low quality materials. Because of this, it wears out quickly and begins to leak in several places.
- Usage artificial materials. Most synthetic materials crack when exposed to low temperatures. Because of this, a walk on a frosty day can end up with wet feet.
The best store-bought shoes to keep your shoes from getting wet
In any city, it is easy to find several stores selling special products that can soak shoes from getting wet. All these formulations are available in the form of a spray, impregnation or cream.
The highest quality products:
- Salamander Universal. This spray is suitable for leather, suede and textiles. It absorbs quickly and provides reliable protection moisture all day long. In addition, it prevents dirt and dust from settling, which improves the appearance of the boots. Among the shortcomings of the product, there is a sharp and not too pleasant smell.
- Ekko. The main advantage of this spray is economical consumption. If you lubricate your shoes with it, then you can not be afraid of getting your feet wet for 24 hours. The tool is popular due to the special property that allows you to protect boots and not disturb the air exchange.
- Grangers. Available in the form of a cream that can be used for leather products. The tool is made on the basis of natural beeswax, so it does not have a negative effect on humans. The cream well protects against moisture, salt and dirt.
- Olvist. This impregnation is popular among owners of leather boots. It is relatively inexpensive, but reliably protects against water and dirt.
- Collonil Nanopro. Universal spray suitable for almost any shoe. It is based on fluorocarbon compounds, which reliably protect against moisture and do not harm the material. Such a tool is expensive, but it is spent economically. Therefore, one bottle is enough for several months of regular use.
- Kiwi AquaStop. Suitable for nubuck, leather, textile and suede. Its main feature is protection not only from moisture and dirt, but also from various reagents. The bottle is small so it is easy to carry in your pocket.
The best folk recipes for shoe processing
If it is not possible to buy a quality product, then you can make shoes waterproof using folk remedies. It will take a minimum amount of time and money to make them. This will enable poor people to process shoes and protect them from moisture.
The best folk remedies:
- Mixture based on lamb fat. For its preparation, take 50 g of the main component, 50 g of linseed oil and 10 g of turpentine. The lard is melted and hot mixed with the rest of the ingredients. When warm, the finished product is applied to boots and rubbed with a piece of soft cloth.
- Melted wax and linseed oil. The components are mixed in a ratio of 3:1. The resulting composition is applied to the shoes and gently rubbed with a woolen cloth.
- Castor oil and animal fat. Take the same amount of both substances. The fat is melted and added to the butter. The product is thoroughly mixed and the shoes are treated with it.
- Fish oil blend. Pour 10 g of melted beeswax into a small container. 20 g of glycerin and 30 g of turpentine are added to it. After mixing, 40 g of liquid fish oil is poured into the product. The resulting mass is applied to the entire surface of the boots.
- Paraffin. A small piece is cut off from the candle and rubbed with leather shoes. After that, the applied paraffin is heated with a hairdryer. Thanks to warm air, it will melt and penetrate into all the pores of the skin. Such a tool will reliably protect the shoes for the next few days.
How to care for shoes
Everyone can prepare their shoes for winter. To keep it waterproof for a long period, it is necessary to provide proper care. It is individual for each product and depends on the material from which it is sewn.
Leather
Protecting leather shoes from moisture is quite simple. To do this, you need to choose the appropriate composition and correctly apply it to the surface of the product. In this case, be sure to consider the following rules of care:
- As a water repellent, you need to use special sprays made on the basis of fat or wax. Thanks to them, an invisible layer is formed on the surface, which prevents water from entering the pores of the skin.
- Protective equipment must be used before each exit to the street.
- After returning home, you need to carefully wipe the shoes with a dry cloth and put them near a heater.
- To prevent cracks on the skin, it is forbidden to wash or wipe shoes before a walk. It is especially important not to do this in frosty weather.
Suede and nubuck
These materials require more attention than leather. Without proper protection, they quickly get wet and cause a lot of inconvenience to a person.
Main measures:
- Products can only be processed with a spray. If you use a special wax or cream, then the suede gets wet, and the shoes lose their attractive appearance.
- Before applying the protective composition, clean the material with a stiff bristle brush.
- Nubuck and suede should not be cleaned with a damp cloth or brush.
- Apply a new layer of water-repellent composition immediately after returning from a walk. So the material is well saturated with the selected agent and has time to dry, creating an invisible protective coating.
Caring for shoes made from other materials
Cloth shoes get wet quickly, so wearing them in rainy weather is not recommended. The same situation is observed in the case of artificial leather products. Often the material used is not of high quality, so the shoes quickly pass water.
Caring for leatherette and fabric products comes down only to checking the condition of the seams and soles. Treating such shoes with moisture-repellent compounds is impractical.
Making waterproof shoes at home is quite simple. To do this, you need to use store or folk remedies that give a guarantee of protection against moisture. If you properly process boots or boots, then you can not be afraid to get your feet wet even in the heaviest rain.
With the onset of wet weather, it is especially important to feel comfortable in autumn shoes: a little wet, cold, and a cold will immediately make itself felt. But even in summer, sloshing in shoes is no good, because even those who like to walk barefoot in the rain are unlikely to like having wet feet on an ongoing basis. What can be done to your shoes to protect them from moisture? It all depends on the type of material and the reason for getting wet.
If it's all about the sole
In search of moisture protection, we primarily turn our attention to leather or suede care products, without skimping on impregnations and wax creams. But what if the problem is not so much in the upper part of the boots, but in the sole? But it is she who is in direct contact with wet asphalt or damp earth, and it is her damage or poor quality that is the cause of your wet feet.
Agree, you rarely step into such deep puddles that the boot goes under water to the very ankle, but if you still have such a sin, then it’s better to get a pair right now rubber boots. The fact is that, stepping into a shallow puddle, you will very quickly feel moisture on your feet, but neither leather nor suede good quality they can't get through the water so fast. Most often, moisture gets inside not through the main material, but through poor-quality seams, poorly glued soles, or holes and cracks right at the bottom of your shoes.
- Poor-quality seams can be smeared and impregnated with any water-repellent cream or spray, and from folk funds will do animal fat, wax, paraffin or castor oil. True, this method will not help to get rid of the problem once and for all, and you will periodically have to update the protective layer.
- Poorly glued soles are more common on cheap leatherette shoes, but regardless of the base material, there is only one solution: tear off the sole and glue it, or better yet, stitch it again. Of course, not everyone has the skills of a shoemaker, and most likely you will have to carry shoes to the workshop, so consider whether this pair of shoes is worth the money and time spent on it.
- Cracks or holes in shoes can be oiled. Although, in order to get ahead of the problem, it is better to do this with still new boots. To do this, the sole needs to be lightly sanded to increase the adhesion of the material to the surface, apply drying oil and let it dry completely. A more drastic way to deal with a leaky sole is to install soles on top of your own sole.
Shoes from trusted brands are distinguished by high quality seams and soles, which means that you will have much less risk of coming home with wet socks in such shoes. Besides famous brands they do not save on the primary impregnation of leather or nubuck, which is also an indisputable plus.
Leather and suede care
Although leather care and nubuck with a water-repellent slant has more aesthetic weight than practical, poor quality leather can actually let moisture through rather quickly, unlike tight leather made to order. And you don't want your leather or suede to soak up slush, getting covered with a disgusting coating of mud, even if your feet are completely dry. We tell you what needs to be done so that shoes even in autumn look chic and do not wear out.
- Leather
The shoe care market is flooded with water-repellent compounds for all materials, so they will be the easiest to use. For leather, spray impregnations can be used, but more classic version are special waxes and creams. Just keep in mind that an emulsion cream will not protect against moisture: you need to choose a more expensive organic product with a high content of fat, wax and oils.
For leather, unlike suede, there are many folk remedies that can protect shoes from getting wet. The simplest is the treatment of skin and seams with castor oil instead of a cream, but mixtures can also be made: ½ tbsp. l. turpentine plus 4 tsp. linseed oil and fish oil; 1 tsp paraffin or wax plus 1 tsp. linseed oil or a 1:1 mixture of castor oil and animal fat.
In folk recipes, linseed oil can be replaced or supplemented with melted animal fat. It is believed that waterfowl fat is best suited.
- Suede and nubuck
Neither wax nor cream is suitable for suede, and the only way to protect it from moisture is to use special impregnations in the form of a spray, which are made on the basis of water-repellent emulsions.
Regardless of which treatment you have chosen and what material you are dealing with, impregnation can only be done on clean and dry shoes at least 6 hours before going outside. The procedure must be repeated regularly as needed, as the effect of wax and sprays is not endless.
In order to qualitatively impregnate new shoes with a protective substance, you can resort to repeated primary processing of shoes. To do this, shoes must be lubricated or treated with a suitable product 3 times at intervals per day before you start wearing them. You need to spray or apply oil or cream until the shoes stop actively absorbing them.
Caring for shoes made from other materials
If you are dealing with getting wet non-leather shoes, then no store-bought care is indispensable. The thing is that it is pointless to use oil or sprays on leatherette, since it does not absorb either water or fat, and on fabric it is simply stupid. It turns out that nothing can protect you from getting wet with fabric sneakers, but leatherette boots can still be saved.
We mentioned that leatherette itself does not absorb moisture, which means that the problem is most likely a poorly glued, badly sewn or damaged sole, which brings us back to the very first point of discussion. You already know what to do: take care of the sole, and the boots can be worn for a long time without the risk of getting your feet wet.
With these in stock simple means and how to care for your shoes, you will no longer catch a cold due to an oversight of the shoe manufacturer and bad weather.