IS your child one of those who needs new school shoes just about every term?

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Follow this simple advice to make sure your child’s shoes last as long as possible:

1. Air them out

School shoes should be removed as soon as the kids get home from school – this way any moisture or sweat inside the shoe can dry out before the next morning. If possible, place the shoes outside (undercover) or near an open window so that they can get some fresh air.

2. Keep them dry

Excessively wet shoes should be stuffed with scrunched up newspaper overnight. This is a great way of drawing out moisture from shoes without damaging them. Using a hairdryer on leather shoes or placing them next to a heater will dry them out too much and may cause them to crack.

3. Remove dirt

If the kids have been running through muddy puddles or their shoes are overly dirty, it’s important to clean them as soon as possible. All you have to do is take a damp cloth to the shoe and remove the grime so it doesn’t seep in or damage the material.

4. Give them a good polish

Use a coloured shoe wax at least every fortnight to restore life to tired leather shoes. After applying the wax with a soft shoe brush, use a clean rag or cloth to buff the shoes back to a shiny new look. Using a cream conditioner with a soft cloth every couple of months will help to protect the shoe from the elements and prevent the leather from drying out.

5. Quick fixes

If you don’t have time to treat your kids’ school shoes with a traditional wax polish, there are plenty of quick-fix solutions available. Bottles of liquid wax shine with applicator sponges are readily available at supermarkets, as are shoe wipes which gives instant shine to a dull-looking school shoe!

6. Replace laces

Replace worn laces before they break! It’s always a good idea to keep an extra pair of laces in the cupboard – you never know when you might need them. For broken buckles or Velcro strips that have come unstuck, it’s worth a visit to your nearest shoe repair shop, who will maybe offer same day repairs.

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