Mikki Phillips, e-commerce manager at Kickers, reveals top tips for keeping your children’s leather school shoes shining
Surviving the school playground is no mean feat for children’s school shoes. Whether that’s running in the playground, kicking balls across the school field, or just general wear and tear.
With research showing that 85% of children spend time outside at school most or every day1, school shoes are constantly exposed to a range of hard-wearing environments. And as we enter the first term of the new school year, Kickers have spotted that searches for ‘cleaning leather shoes’ have surged by 120% over the past month, as parents seek ways to maintain their children’s new school shoes.
Although leather is one of the most durable materials for school shoes, it needs to be treated with the right care and attention, Mikki Phillips Ecommerce Manager at Kickers explains:
“From scuffs and scratches to dust and dirt, we know that it’s all too easy for your children’s shoes to accumulate signs of wear and tear over time. While leather is durable and hard-wearing in nature, proper care is essential for keeping leather school shoes looking their best. By keeping on top of this, you can extend their lifespan and protect them from stains, water damage and cracks.
“We understand that for families with school-age children, time is often limited and adding another task to the after-school routine can feel overwhelming. However, with the following simple maintenance habits, keeping school shoes clean, polished and long-lasting can be quick, easy and stress-free.”
With these simple tips and tricks from Kickers, properly cleaning and polishing leather school shoes has never been easier:
1. Preparation is key
Before starting to polish the shoes’ leather, make sure to remove any laces, undo the buckles and detach the leather fleurettes. This will make it easier to polish the whole shoe and avoid getting polish on the laces.
Starting with a clean base ensures you won’t trap any dirt during the polishing process. To clean the shoe, use a damp cloth and a drop of washing-up liquid to wipe away any patches of dirt or caked-on mud, clearing them of debris and dust.
For those more intricate and stubborn areas, a smaller, more precise shoe brush, or an old toothbrush can be used gently to get an expert clean.
2. Dry properly before polishing
Once you are happy with the shoe’s cleanliness, it is crucial to ensure it is completely dry before moving on to polishing.
Simply leave the shoes to air-dry indoors in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area for a few hours until they are completely dry.
Leather shoes should never be dried using a hair dryer, by placing near a radiator or in direct sunlight, as this could result in cracked material, molten glue and shrinking.
3. Choosing the right polish
Choosing the right polish is an important step in the maintenance of any leather and in ensuring you get your desired results.
Shoe cream is the best option for daily maintenance as it conditions the leather and restores its colour. Alternatively, a wax polish is best for a high shine and more extreme weather protection.
Remember to select a polish that matches the exact colour of your shoes, to help restore any fading leather and cover up deeper scuffs.
4. Apply polish gradually for a smooth application
For a smooth application, apply a small amount of polish with a cloth or an old t-shirt, ensuring to work into the edges of the shoe between the upper and sole in circular motions for full coverage.
Always remember that less is more when it comes to shoe polish. Over-applying polish creates a dull buildup and can damage the leather, so add the polish gradually to avoid overdoing it.
For best results, leave the polish to soak into the shoe for a couple of hours or ideally, leave overnight.
5. Buff to get the best results
Don’t just stop there. Many don’t realise that the key to super shiny shoes is buffing more than just once.
Once your shoe polish has been absorbed, it’s time to buff again. Take a shoe brush or the clean side of your cloth, and buff again in circular motions to ensure you have removed any excess polish. Now you will see the shine start to come through!
Buying specialist equipment doesn’t have to be the case when it comes to cleaning shoes, the best results can come from things you already have at home.
6. A regular routine is key
The secret to keeping your kicks shiny and in pristine condition is cleaning them little and often.
Try to give them a regular clean to keep on top of any considerable build-up of dirt and dust. Whether that’s a weekly wipe or a buff and polish every couple of weeks, sticking to a shoe care routine is the key to an extended lifetime.
Cleaning your kids’ school shoes doesn’t have to fall on you alone. Involving your kids can actually make the job easier and fun. Turn it into a game, who can clean the fastest or remove the most dirt. It’s a fun way to teach them responsibility and keep their shoes looking fresh for school.
For more advice on how to care for your Kickers shoes or to browse the collection of Kickers school shoes, visit the Kickers website.
