With kids heading back to school after a long summer break, we know that brand-new school uniforms can look tired within a matter of weeks.
And between the walking commute and playground games, it’s the new school shoes that rarely finish the first term unscathed.
In fact, it seems that parents are already searching for ways to revive their kids’ school shoes ahead of the new term. Iconic footwear brand, Kickers, has spotted that searches for ‘how to clean leather shoes’ and ‘shiny shoes’ have risen by 23% and 22%, respectively, in the last 3 months.
Mikki Phillips, e-commerce manager at Kickers, understands the struggle that many parents face when it comes to keeping school shoes shiny:
“School shoes are worn 5 days a week, 39 weeks a year – that’s an awful lot of opportunity to scrape and batter them. After all, Kickers have been a part of children’s school journeys for decades, so we understand the daily wear and tear their shoes endure.
“We also understand that when parents are investing in quality footwear, they want it to last! While all shoes eventually show signs of wear, buying high-quality kids’ shoes and taking steps to maintain them gives you a fighting chance of slowing down that process.”
So, to help you do this, Kickers has shared a guide on how to keep school shoes in the best shape possible all year round:
1. Pick the right shoes
To keep shoes looking their best for as long as possible, they need to have a strong foundation to begin with. This means they need to be high-quality and suitable for the child wearing them.
Opting for shoes made of durable materials, such as leather, will reduce the likelihood of them marking easily.
Making sure shoes are the correct size is also incredibly important. If the shoes are too big, the leather may crease quickly and eventually crack. You can use Kickers’ guide on how to measure your kids’ feet at home, to ensure you get the right size and minimise damage.
2. Take shoes off properly
It’s no secret that kids tend to kick their shoes off in a hurry when returning home from school. However, this can result in scuffs and the wearing down of the heel of their shoes.
So, make sure they’re taken off properly with their laces or Velcro being undone beforehand. This may be easier said than done, so perhaps implement a small rewards system for the correct taking off of shoes in the first few weeks of term.
3. Give them a regular light clean
Regularly cleaning kids’ shoes is crucial to keeping them in the best condition possible.
You should aim to make this a regular routine, such as every other week. This doesn’t need to be extensive – just brushing off loose dirt and using a damp cloth with some mild soap for more stubborn marks.
If the shoes are leather, try to condition them when the material looks dry to prevent cracking as well. Once the leather conditioner has absorbed, use a clean, dry cloth to wipe off any residue and get the leather to a shine.
4. Don’t forget to polish and buff
The appearance of scuffs tend to highlight signs of wear more than anything else. Applying a shoe polish every month or so will help reduce this.
Simply apply a polish to the scuffed areas with a cloth or a shoe brush, making sure the polish matches the colour of the shoes.
After leaving the polish on the shoes for a few minutes, buff it out with a clean cloth. This will cover scuffs and give shoes a lovely shine.
5. Get your child involved
Once your child realises the importance of looking after their shoes, your life will be a whole lot easier.
Sit alongside them and show them how to clean their shoes, incorporating it into their routine. This could be on Sunday evenings in preparation for the school week. Start with small tasks like brushing dirt off, then build up to allowing them to own polishing their shoes.
By implementing these tips, you’ll not only keep your child’s school shoes looking sharp and presentable but also teach them valuable lessons about responsibility and care for their belongings. It’s an investment in both their appearance and their practical life skills!
To shop back to school shoes, visit the Kickers website.
Ahead of the new school year, Kickers invited Steven Thomas, The London Podiatrist, to independently review the Kickers Kick range, ensuring it meets the highest standards for support, durability, and fit.
Thomas says: “Kickers tick the boxes for comfort, fit, and durability – without compromising foot health.”
