All the tips and tricks needed to shape up for 2011. Each day brings new, expert advice on how to look your best and live life to the fullest, while having a little fun doing it.
Salt-Free Shoes
Each winter, the United States uses 18,000 tons of salt on roads and sidewalks. Inevitably, a good portion of that salt will get absorbed into your shoes—leaving otherwise beautiful footwear dried out and stained. It's important to remember that the salt starts drying and warping the leather quickly, so act fast. Here's how to save your shoes:
Suede?
Suede isn't a great shoe option when there's salt and slush out, but should you get some salt stains on your suede shoes, start by brushing the nap with a suede brush. Dip a cloth into your vinegar solution and wring it out. Dab the solution onto the stain and the blot with a dry cloth until the stain is gone.
Make a solution of one part plain white vinegar to two parts water.
Dab the solution onto the stains, working from the outside toward the center of the stain.
Dampen a clean cloth with water and wipe down the shoe to remove any lingering vinegar.
Press a dry cloth into the leather to remove out any residual moisture.
Let them air dry for a day and then condition, buff or polish as usual.
FYI
The practice of salting roads began in the 1940s.
