How to Make Your Family's Shoes Last Longer

Kids play hard and you run hard — whether all over town, at work, or on the trails and treadmills. Today's busy families live full lives and the shoes can show it. The scuffs and scrapes tell the tales of playground games, fun runs, and long, active days. So what are the best ways to care for men's, women's and kids' shoes to make them last longer?

From monthly cleaning to alternating wears, here are the top tips to get the most wear out of your family's sneakers, boots, and sandals. 

Long-Lasting Athletic Shoes

When it comes to extending the life of your sports shoes, the most recommended solution is to spread out the wear with extra pairs. Shoe experts agree it's best to have a pair of exercise footwear separate from your everyday sneakers like Skechers in order to preserve the specific activity-cushion designed for each style. 

Consider the 500-mile rule, the theory that estimates walking sneakers and running shoes are usually good for 350 – 500 miles. (And with so many pedometers available in these tech times, this can be fairly easy and fun to gauge.) As your favorite pair approaches the mile marker, it's time to start shopping for new athletic shoes. For kids, try a pair for school and a pair for play.

In addition to spreading out the miles, wearing the same pair of sneakers over and over without a break in between means a greater risk that bacteria from foot moisture can grow faster, which will break down the materials faster, too. Whether your sports shoes are damp from a great workout or your everyday sneakers are feeling less than fresh from an extra-active day, the fact is every pair needs some fresh air. Store them in a way to fully dry out — gym bags not included.

A word about washing: most footwear experts recommended hand-cleaning athletic shoes versus throwing them in the machines. With soap, cold water, and air drying, you won't destroy the glue with the heat from the washer and dryer. 

Keeping Canvas Clean

When it comes to canvas shoes like the pairs from HEYDUDE, they're designed to be machine washed — preferably in a mesh laundry bag. Use cool to warm water, a mild detergent, then air dry out of direct sunlight. A magic erasure or similar product can work wonders on scuffs and marks on the toe box, soles, and eyelets. For espadrilles, canvas shoes with added sparkle or leather trim, we recommend a hand wash to avoid unnecessary wear. Wet the shoe, then take a small brush and work your way around in a circular motion. Concentrate on the dirtiest areas. When rinsing, the idea is to not leave soap residue which can attract more dirt. Go easy on the detergent and rinse it off by dunking the shoes in clean water or cleaning lightly with a wet sponge.

In addition to regular cleanings, replace the insoles to get the most wear out of canvas shoes. While they won't substitute for new canvas shoes, it is a temporary solution to extend the life of thinning support — for as long as up to a year. 

Better Leather

When it comes to making your family’s leather shoes last longer, treating them with a quality cleaner and conditioner is key. Without polishing, the leather dries out, cracks, and needs replacing sooner. 

However, many shoe experts advise that it's the way you store your leather shoes that can really make a difference. Cedar shoe trees are the preferred method. Not only does the shoe tree help keep the shape intact, it also allows the shoes to dry correctly. Cedar wood absorbs moisture, whereas plastic shoe trees, boxes or containers do not. A cedar shoe tree can give your leather shoes an additional six months of wear. 

After-Season Shoe Storage

When signs of spring start to show and it's time to pack away winter boots, make sure they're completely dry before putting them away for the season. Tiny silica packets can help with moisture and humidity to extend their lifespan. (Save them from your new shoe and accessory purchases or add them to your online shopping list.) Additionally, winter boots and women's booties need help to hold their shape. If you don't have a boot tree made for the job, tissue paper or clean rags stuffed inside will also do the trick. Store your boots upright unless you have a rack or boot hangers designed to store them upside down. Packing away winter properly makes the spring transition a breeze. 

In the long run, proper cleaning and care of your favorite pairs will extend the life of the shoes you love.