You wonder how maintain your pair of shoes ? Don't forget that a pair of LOZANO shoes is made of a noble and natural material: leather! The latter ages and evolves over time, it acquires a patina while becoming more beautiful. However, it requires regular maintenance if you want to optimize its longevity. Without regular and appropriate maintenance, your pair of shoes could wear out prematurely and lose their splendor.
RULE 1 : THE IMPORTANCE OF SHOE STREET
Rightly considered the shoe hanger, the shoe tree should be used systematically for all your pairs of shoes.
It dries the leather by absorbing moisture from the shoe, minimizes unsightly walking creases and maintains the shape of the shoe by tightening the leather damaged by a day of walking.
For it to be effective it must:
- Being made of wood ! its primary function is to absorb moisture, so it cannot be plastic!
- Be used permanently as soon as you take off your shoes. Each pair must therefore be equipped of his shoe tree.
- Be adapted to the size of the shoe. A good shoe tree should not be offered in 41-42 but well in 41 or 42 .
- Be adapted to the shape of your shoe. The force of the shoe tree could deform a shoe if it is not suitable.
RULE 2 : ALTERNATION
This is not a matter of care but of essential attention for the longevity and good aging of your shoes: a pair should never be worn two days in a row!
Leather is a natural material that needs rest! Ideally, it is recommended to alternately use 4 or 5 pairs of shoes, which will allow you to wear each pair a maximum of 2 times per week. This way, you will considerably optimize your comfort as well as the longevity of your shoes. It also becomes very economical because you will reduce your shoe budget! (this will also allow you to please yourself by offering you a greater variety of colors in your own shoe collection)
Of course, when it is not worn, your pair of shoes must be kept on its shoe tree!
Contrary to what legend says, it is imperative to put your shoe trees in your shoes as soon as you take off your shoes (and not the next day) in order to absorb all the moisture present in the shoe. You will then only need to remove your shoe trees when you put your shoes back on a few days later...
RULE 3 : THE VIRTUES OF REGULAR SHAXING
Leather being a living material, it is essential to moisturize it regularly in order to optimize its flexibility but also its waterproofness and longevity.
The correct frequency is to shine your shoes every 4 to 5 days. By respecting the alternation rules (RULE 2) this is equivalent to shine your shoes 2 to 3 times a month on average or even every week if you only have two or three pairs.
It is important to use a quality shoe polish, based on beeswax, presented in a metal can. Any form of shoe polish with applicator or sponge, or even liquid or spray products should be avoided! Never spray waterproofing! These are exclusively reserved for suede calfskin leathers.
Finally, be careful not to polish your shoes too much. The quantity of wax used for each polish should be small. A succession of excessive applications of shoe polish could generate white marks on your leather preventing the pores of the leather from breathing. Moreover, we strongly recommend cleaning your shoes using a cleaning milk in order to strip the leather surface of all impurities, traces of rain and the various layers of accumulated shoe polish. Your shoes will thus regain their original shine.
A good shoe polish is applied with a soft cloth or using shoe polish pads. Gently apply the polish in a circular motion, always not a small amount, so that the wax penetrates to the fiber of the leather. Leave to dry for a minimum of 15 minutes before polishing your shoes using a horsehair brush (in practice, we recommend that you polish them in the evening to polish them the next morning).
Also remember to cream your shoes every two weeks to nourish the shoe leather.
RULE 4 : CARE OF THE SOLES
The sole of LOZANO shoes is available in rubber or leather. In the latter case it is a genuine leather sole which deserves, just like the upper (top) of your shoe, regular and imperative maintenance. Without maintenance, a sole may have an abnormally short lifespan, just as waterproofing in the event of heavy rain cannot be guaranteed.
At the risk of upsetting the purists, two solutions are available to you:
- The most traditional would be that your soles are greased with mink oil. Reserved exclusively for your soles (do not put grease on the upper of your shoe) it will have the function of optimizing the waterproofness of the sole, while optimizing its longevity but also of reinforcing the thread of the welt seam of the sole. It thus prevents these two elements from drying out and crumbling prematurely on contact with the ground.
Lubrication is done in the evening using a soft, dry cloth. Apply a generous layer of grease to the part of the sole in contact with the ground (not necessary on the heel), taking care to penetrate it well. Then, let your pair dry on the edge for several days until the next wearing. Thus, the leather of the sole will have penetrated deeply and more or less dried allowing you to leave with your shoes on your feet (after this specific treatment, it is strongly recommended that you put your shoes back on your landing so as not to damage your floors or carpets). Of house). This will also have another very appreciable effect concerning the flexibility of your shoe in use.
- The other, more common solution is to have a rubber pad (Topy) placed under your sole. Several advantages are highlighted by fans of this technique: flawless protection of the sole, maximum longevity of your soles by simplifying maintenance, reduction in the risk of slipping and more waterproof during winter and rain.
On the other hand, some disadvantages remain which are unpleasant for purists: The rubber pad will tend to make your shoe less flexible in use, this will have the effect in particular of increasing the phenomenon of creases in your shoe. The sole no longer “works” as it should, the folds are often more pronounced, leading to sometimes premature and unsightly aging of the upper.
Finally, to have a skate fitted, you must respect a few prerequisites to avoid any disappointment: Never place a skate on a new shoe! In all cases, you must wear your shoes for around ten days to soften them properly and wear down the finishing layer of varnish on the sole as a minimum. Otherwise, ask your shoemaker for a little preliminary sanding before installing the pad, which should be as fine as possible. Simultaneously with this operation, we strongly recommend that you install a recessed iron on the front part of the shoe only. This will protect the tip of your shoe while preventing the skate from coming off with use. Built-in, it will never make noise when walking.
RULE 5 : HOW TO MAKE SUBTLE GLAZING?
Glazing is the ultimate art of shoe polishing. Reserved for those in the know, it will make you a true ambassador of masculine elegance.
“Shining your shoes is an obligatory act, glazing them is a cultural act. »
It all starts with preparing your shoes with a good brush to remove dust from the shoe. A colorless cleansing milk is applied to rid the upper of impurities, the shoe must then be left to dry for a few moments. Then begins the waxing phase to be applied in a circular manner using a damp cloth (but not wet!) stretched over your middle and index fingers. With a brush, all excess shoe polish is removed. The glazing operation can then begin:
This technique consists of mixing shoe polish and water successively in small quantities; it is estimated that the perfect mixture is around 80% and 20%. Your cloth is barely damp at the tips of your fingers.
The gesture is carried out by a more or less large circular movement, the contact of three simultaneous elements: shoe polish/water/heat will cause the wax particles contained in your shoe polish to crystallize.
Repeat these movements as many times as necessary. If your leather remains matte, do not hesitate to add a little water.
In the end, your shoe shines brightly on the toe and heel counters. Your leather is protected and thus reveals a true depth of color with a marbled effect. Of course the glaze fades as the shoe is worn. It is recommended to wipe with a soft cloth each time you use it and to repeat the glazing operation every 3 to 4 days of wearing the shoe.
Last expert advice, glazes on black shoes must be light, other shades of leather can be the subject of a more pronounced glaze in terms of mirror effect.
