Every stylish man likes to invest in high-quality shoes. Nevertheless, with high-quality shoes for men comes the requirement of proper shoe care and maintenance. In this article, the experts at Sepol Shoes cover some of the most common mistakes that you need to avoid when taking care of your shoes. 

Mistakes to Avoid When Caring for Men's Shoes

Here are some mistakes when caring for your men's shoes to keep them in excellent shape for many years down the line. 

Mistake #1 – Using the Washing Machine 

Some of us might recall a time during childhood when our parents would toss a dirty pair of sneakers into the washing machine. Well, that's a big mistake you need to avoid. One way to increase the life of any pair of shoes is to avoid using the washer to clean them. 

Rather, you should scrub your shoes by hand and try to do it as soon as they get soiled. This way, the dirt won't get a chance to settle in. 

Mistake #2 – Not Letting Your Shoes Dry 

Shoes hate moisture. In fact, moisture can lead to the growth of bacteria that can make the shoe material break down easily when you wear them. You can use desiccants such as silica gels or pouches to keep bacteria- and moisture-free. In case you don't have silica, you can stuff newspaper inside your shoes and change them after a week or so. This is going to protect the soles of your shoes from moisture. 

In addition, allow your shoes to dry completely before applying shoe polish or creams. Whether your shoes have gotten wet in the rain or you just deep-cleaned them, allow them to dry overnight before applying any products. 

You might want to put your shoes next to a radiator to dry them. This rapid method of drying is going to shrink the leather and increase the probability of getting water stains. Therefore, you should allow your shoes to dry on shoe trees and give them the time they require to dry. It is best that you pick a wooden shoe tree as the wood is going to absorb moisture and help dry the leather. 

Mistake #3 – Ignoring the Sole

One of the first things to wear out on a well-worn shoe is its sole. Fortunately, there are several products available in the market that can protect the soles of your men's shoes. Using them is one of the easiest ways to make your shoes last longer. 

A simple search on Google will deliver a variety of results that will definitely leave you satisfied and make your shoes last for many years. Similarly, depending on the type of shoe, you might want to invest in some toe taps, which help to prevent the tip of the sole on a pointy shoe from wearing out too quickly. 

Mistake #4 – Keeping Your Shoes in Direct Sunlight 

Direct sunlight or extreme heat can lead to dry-rotting and can stiffen them up, thereby leading to crumbling. Rather, keep your footwear in a controlled environment and make sure that they have a longer lifespan when you actually wear them and step out. 

Wrapping Up 

A true gentleman never ignores his shoes and always takes extra care of them. Shoes degrade if they don't get the care they deserve. Thus, the better you care for them, the better they will serve you without losing their shine and shape. Just remember to avoid the mistakes mentioned above!

If you are looking for a pair of luxury men's shoes that will last many years or even decades, make sure to check out Sepol Shoes. We have a wide range of premium-quality shoes that will surely last several years!