How to Prevent the Dry Rotting of Your Leather Shoes While They Are Stood in the Closet Guides. advice on how to stop and keep shoes made of leather from drying out and decaying. Foot Fitter advice on how to stop the leather from drying out and decaying. If you are the proud owner of a pair of expensive leather shoes or heels, hearing the words "dry rot" should send shivers down your spine. If you don't properly store your expensive shoes, there's always a potential that dry rot will destroy your Salvatore Ferragamo, Allen Edmonds, Tom Ford, or Christian Louboutins. Some people may believe that it won't happen to them, but if you do, there's always a chance that it will. Even if you own pricey cowboy boots, particularly ones produced with unusual skins, you are not exempt from this disaster. And once the dry rot has taken hold, there is no way to reverse it... If I've managed to scare you or at the very least peak your attention, the next blog post will show you how to prevent dry rot from occurring in your leather shoes.
What exactly is dry rot, and what factors contribute to its development? The deterioration of leather that occurs as a result of a lack of moisture in the material is referred to as "dry rot." The fibers in the substance become brittle and split when all of the oil from the leather evaporates, which ultimately results in irreversible damage. This procedure will typically take place if your leather footwear is stored in conditions that are warm and dry. Dry rot is another problem that can arise if your shoes are kept in settings that are too harsh, such as temperatures that are either extremely hot or extremely cold, as well as excessive levels of humidity. It won't be overnight until the condition deteriorates. Because it is a lengthy process, your shoes will eventually be destroyed by it regardless of how valuable or inexpensive they were. As I've already indicated, there is no way to fix a piece of leather that has developed dry rot once it has reached that stage. It is possible to salvage any leather that has not been harmed by the dry rot; however, anything that has already decayed cannot be saved. How to Avoid Dry Rot in Your Home How to Prevent Dry Rot from Occurring in Leather Shoes If you want your leather shoes or heels to survive for a long time, you're going to need to make sure that you store them in the best possible circumstances. Not even putting them in a wet cellar or a musty attic can save them from destruction.
Your leather items will thrive in settings that are chilly and have a light humidity, such as closets or storage areas that are climate controlled. Temperatures between 30 and 60 percent relative humidity and 50- and 70-degrees Fahrenheit are ideal for storing leather items, as recommended by the leather producer Townsend Leather. You may determine whether the location you are using to store your shoes is suitable by utilizing a hygrometer, which is a tool that actively measures temperature and humidity. How to Prevent Dry Rot from Occurring in Leather Shoes If the temperature is just right but the air is either too dry or too humid, you can fix the problem by using a humidifier or a dehumidifier, depending on which condition applies. After deciding where you are going to store your shoes, our recommendation is that you put them on shoe racks so that there is adequate airflow between each pair of shoes. This will help your shoes last longer. Plastic containers may be a practical solution for storing your shoes and a terrific way to display them, but despite these benefits, they do not offer the adequate ventilation that is necessary for leather shoes. Additionally, the moisture that is trapped within the box by the plastic containers may deteriorate the leather. Getting Your Shoes and Boots Ready for Storage Make Sure to Clean Your Shoes Before Putting Them Away. It's one thing to figure out where to put your shoes while you're not using them; it's an entirely different challenge to get them ready for long-term storage. If you don't wear your leather shoes or heels very often, it is advisable to clean and condition them before putting them away for storage. This will keep the leather in good shape.
How to Prevent Dry Rot from Occurring in Leather Shoes FootFitter Genuine Horsehair Shoe Shine Brush On the other hand, if you wear the same pair of shoes rather frequently, you ought to clean them roughly once every thirty days at the very least. Always use a horsehair brush to clear the shoe of any dirt and grit that may have accumulated. If there are stains that are more resistant to being removed, use a microfiber cloth that has been lightly dampened to clean your footwear. After that, give your shoes a good, thorough drying. If your shoes or heels get wet while being worn, you need to ensure that they are completely dried out before putting them away. After you have washed your shoes, you should condition them by applying a shoe cream polish or a leather conditioner to the leather. The shoe cream sold by FootFitter not only gives your footwear a shinier appearance, but it also rehydrates the leather and prevents it from drying out. If you want to condition cowboy boots that were created with exotic hides, you should be sure to use a conditioner that is designed specifically for exotic leather or a leather conditioner that is based on lanolin. By giving your leather shoes or heels a light coat of moisturizer before putting them away, you can assure that the fibers in the leather will retain their pliability. As long as they are stored in the appropriate circumstances, this should make them less prone to dry rot. Maintain a Balanced Moisture Content to Prevent Dry Rot.
How to Prevent Dry Rot from Occurring in Leather Shoes Shoe Tree with Adjustable FootFitter Split Toe Made of Cedar In addition to cleaning your shoes thoroughly before putting them away, you should also pay attention to the amount of moisture that is present in them. At this point, a cedar shoe tree would be really helpful. The cedar shoe trees are serving a dual purpose by retaining the shape of the shoes and absorbing excess moisture. I am aware that we have just gone over ways to moisturize your shoes, but one of the functions of a cedar shoe tree is to remove any extra moisture that may have accumulated inside the shoe. If you do nothing to solve the issue, the extra moisture that is caused by sweaty feet can cause your shoes to smell and will eventually cause them to dry rot if it is not handled. If you decide to use a plastic shoe tree, make sure to put some silica gel packs inside the shoes to soak up any excess moisture that may have accumulated. If you are unable to obtain a shoe tree, you can try filling your shoes with acid-free paper. This will allow the shoe to keep its shape while also absorbing some of the moisture that may be present in the shoe.
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