How to protect shoes from water and wet snow: rules that everyone needs to know

The weather forecast promises Ukrainians wet snow this week. So the question of how to make winter shoes impervious to water is being raised with renewed vigor.

OBOZREVATEL has collected the most effective tips. First of all, you need to determine why your shoes or boots are leaking.

There can be several reasons for leaks:

• The sole is damaged or detached;
• the sole is poorly attached to the shoe – poorly stitched, with holes or microcracks in the seam;
• the shoe is made of poor-quality material;
• the pair has been damaged by slippery chemicals;
• the material of the shoe is not treated with a water repellent or the water repellent has been worn off or worn out;
• artificial leather cracked due to temperature changes and began to leak water.

What to do if the cause of the leak is a defective sole

This particular part of the shoe is in direct contact with the wet ground, so it is through the sole that the shoe absorbs the most water.

If the problem is in the seams

Poorly made or damaged seams can be treated with water-repellent agents. However, this is a temporary solution and the procedure will have to be repeated from time to time to renew the protective layer.

If the outsole comes off

This is a common problem with cheap faux leather shoes, but sometimes the soles of any boots or shoes can come off. In this case, it needs to be completely glued back on, or even better, additionally stitched. This can be done in a shoe repair shop.

How to treat shoes to make them waterproof

There is a large selection of water-repellent agents that can be used to impregnate a pair of shoes to protect them from moisture. These can be special substances or home remedies.

Petroleum jelly

Vaseline is suitable for treating both natural and artificial leather. Moreover, after applying it, you can immediately put on the pair and go outside in it. A cheaper and safer option for the material is medical petroleum jelly.

Paraffin or wax

These substances are the basis of many shoe care products and are responsible for water-repellent properties. But they can also be used to treat a pair separately. To do this, melt a small amount of wax or paraffin and apply it evenly to the shoes, paying special attention to the seams. Allow the product to cool and blow dry the items.

Castor oil, linseed oil and paraffin remedy

To make the mixture, take a teaspoon each of castor and linseed oils and the same amount of grated paraffin. Melt everything together in a water bath and let it cool, then apply it to your shoes. The pair will be ready to use in about 7-8 hours. This impregnation is well suited for genuine leather.

A mixture based on glycerin and wax

To prepare the product, take the following ingredients:

• glycerin – 20 grams;
• beeswax – 10 grams;
• liquid fish oil – 40 grams;
• turpentine – 30 grams.

Mix turpentine, wax, and fish oil and melt them in a water bath, stirring constantly, and then add glycerin to the product. This composition can change the color and structure of the shoe material, so you should test it in advance on a small area in an inconspicuous place. If nothing has happened within half an hour after application, you can treat the entire pair.

Factory-made water repellents for shoes

All of the above options are suitable for shoes made of smooth leather, whether artificial or genuine, but they are not suitable for nubuck or suede. In this case, a special spray with water-repellent properties is a must, which can be purchased at a shoe store or supermarket. It should be used strictly according to the instructions on the package.

What to do if salt stains appear on your shoes

The reagents that are used to treat roads for slippery conditions have one unpleasant feature: they leave stains on shoes and damage them. They can be washed off smooth leather, after which the pair should be treated with cream or wax. Salt should be removed from the suede with vinegar. Apply the vinegar to a cotton pad and wipe the stains off. When the shoes are dry after such cleaning, they can be immediately treated with a water-repellent spray.