HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR SHOES AND SOCKS
Are your shoes and socks scattered all over your bedroom? Are you too lazy to even lift a finger and get them cleaned? If you answered yes to either question or both (and that’s just 2 problems out of many), then we need to have a serious talk. Sit down and read carefully.
You can’t just treat your shoes and socks like waste. If you’re careless about them, you can end up losing half of the pairs, having a hard time getting them squeaky clean again, or worse—losing all of them to a vortex that “mysteriously” suck them into another dimension!
It would be best if you were as responsible for your shoes and socks as the neatly organized outfits you have in your wardrobe. This blog post gives you 5 ways to care for them. You’ll guarantee to keep your shoes and socks longer in your closet.
- Pick the right shoes and socks for your feet
- Change your shoes and socks on time
- Clean and wash your shoes and socks
- Pack away your shoes and socks the right way
- Donate your shoes and socks
1. PICK THE RIGHT SHOES AND SOCKS FOR YOUR FEET
Know your foot type to get well-fitted shoes and socks.
First things first, let’s tackle the pairs you stopped wearing or wore a couple of times that are now in spiderwebs. We’re guessing that you stopped wearing them because they’re not the right fit for your feet. Boost your potential to care for your shoes and socks by getting the right ones that don’t harm your feet.
For shoes, take the wet test and determine your foot shape by the arch marked on a towel. Know the correct shoe size as well by measuring your feet. You can use a ruler, measuring tape, or the Brannock device to estimate the length and width of your feet. Consult a podiatrist or a shoe technician to give you more accurate readings and assign you the right shoes.
For socks, think about fit and fabric. The socks should fit closely to your feet to provide all the protection, comfort, and sweat absorption needed. Fabrics like cotton and wool are ideal and friendly to the skin. Ask your podiatrist to analyze your feet and determine the suitable materials necessary for your skin for a better assessment.
2. CHANGE YOUR SHOES AND SOCKS ON TIME
Change your shoes and socks if they’re no longer useful.
Go over all your shoes and socks. Find out which ones to keep and which ones to throw away that you may have outgrown and/or mistreated.
If your own shoes that have become too painful on your feet, then it’s a sign that you must replace them. The shoes’ overall structures determine whether or not you own wrong shoes.
Take a look at the outsoles (the bottom part of your shoes). They are responsible for giving your feet some grip on the ground. If the outsoles are ripped or look uneven when the shoes are on a flat surface, they’re damaged and make you lose grip.
Check out your shoes’ midsoles (the middle cushioning layer) that are responsible for shock absorption. If they look wrinkly, then you may have passed the midsoles’ limit needed to do their job.
See the shoes’ inners for any holes or ripped heel cups. If you wear holes and ripped cups, you can welcome your feet with pain and pressure.
For socks, see if they have any ripped holes. Too many holes leave your feet unprotected from pain and the cold. If their elasticity is loose, this is another sign that you must change them. Loose socks pave the way for painful friction to rub on your feet.
If you love a specific pair of shoes and they’re no longer what they used to be, you can revive them. You’ll make them good as new with these tips.
3. CLEAN AND WASH YOUR SHOES AND SOCKS
Clean your shoes and socks if you don’t want them to be dirty or smelly.
There’s no reason to abandon your shoes and socks if they’re dirty or smelly.
Clean your shoes with a shoe brush or a discarded toothbrush and brush off all the dirt. Apply a shoe polish or a mild laundry detergent to synthetic leather and canvas materials. Rub the shoes’ surfaces gently afterward. Once they dry off, make them shine bright by dabbing a bit of water on them. Now your shoes look so brand new that they’ll get you excited to wear them again!
If you own canvas or running shoes and want a faster cleaning process, wash them in a washing machine. Use liquid detergent and wash them at a cool temperature for about 30 to 40 minutes. For a quieter wash, add 4 to 6 towels to the washing machine. Dry the wet shoes outside and NEVER use a dryer. It can disassemble the glue that holds the shoes together.
Don’t clean your shoes’ outers only—wash their inners too. You definitely don’t want stinky shoes slowly rotting away in your closet. Baking soda, sunlight, bar soaps, fruit peels, and a freezer (yes, the half of a refrigerator!) can do away with the smells. Find out more by clicking here.
Washing your socks requires delicate procedures to follow. They include flipping socks inside out, separating colors, using the proper temperatures, and applying homemade remedies. Find out how to wash your socks properly right here.
4. PACK AWAY YOUR SHOES AND SOCKS THE RIGHT WAY
Organizing your shoes and socks will guarantee to find them very easily.
If you want to find shoes and socks easily, then you must get organized. It all goes back to how you pack them away.
If you thought we provided a long point on shoe boxes, then think again. Shoe boxes don’t exactly protect your shoes. They do nothing but reduce airflow, break down the footwear’s glue, and build moisture on their surfaces. Pack them in shoe racks instead. They are spacious enough to keep your shoes organized and maintain airflow. If your budget allows, buy a long shoe rack to keep all your footwear on display instead of them away.
Organize and fold your socks in sock drawers. With a neat sock drawer, you’ll be able to find your socks very easily. Insider’s tip: make your own DIY drawer dividers in only 4 steps and enjoy a well-showcased sock drawer!
5. DONATE YOUR SHOES AND SOCKS
Donate or sell your shoes and socks to give them a second life.
Admit it, a small part of you doesn’t want to see your shoes and socks go to waste. You can always give them a second chance that will make them useful again.
It will surprise you to find out that socks are one of the least items that get donated.
With that being said, we encourage you to donate a lot of socks for those in need! Donate high-quality socks that are clean, hole-free, enduring, and warm. Ask donation centers to accept your giveaways or throw them in donation bins.
Donate your shoes to NGOs or sell them to second-hand stores.
Goodwill recycles your second-hand shoes and prevents them from going to landfills. It accepts preloved clothes in a gentle condition.
Lebanese NGOs like Arcenciel and Fabric Aid redistribute hand-me-downs to the less fortunate. Both organizations accept any clothes in good condition that are not damaged or stained.
We selected a few of our favorite local second-hand stores that can help you resell your preloved items.
If you own retro shoes, contact Thriftiz.lb. It accepts clothes in very good condition.
PinkAttik is a thrift shop co-founded by Elsa O (you can take a look at our collaboration with her and Loolia Closet on Suis Moi Je Suis Là Socks). It takes fast fashion outfits (cheap clothes made at a fast rate) in good condition. Have them washed and prepared before donating. They also take accessories and bags.
For better shoes and socks care, you must: 1. Find the right shoes and socks for your feet, 2. Know when it’s time to get new ones, 3. Clean and wash them, 4. Pack them away properly, and 5. Give them another chance by donating to NGOs or retail shops or creating fun DIY objects out of socks.
Curious about foot care? Sikasok will make your feet smile with these tips and routines.