At Little Piggys, we know that your little ones love to run, jump and play and get up to all kinds of activities in their shoes whether they are new or old. Big mucky puddles, playgrounds and bikes can all damage even the most durable of leathers.
Scuffing on the toe area is the initial and most common sign of wear and can occur as soon as your child crawls on their knees or drags the front of the shoes on the ground. An emery board or fine sandpaper is a great way to remove scuff marks and they can then be polished with a matching colour cream
The best way to prolong the life of the shoe is to have two pairs per season and alternate wear every other day. This will allow the leather to rest and ‘air out’. Perspiration is a breeding ground for bacteria and odours. Look out for shoes with removable washable insoles and always dry damp shoes in a warm environment but away from direct heat ie: radiators or hairdryers. Stuffing a wet shoe with newspaper or an old towel will help absorb moisture
Waterproof footwear is the ideal choice for Autumn/Winter, your child’s feet will stay warm and dry regardless of trecking in wet grass and splashing in puddles!
Woly shoe care products offer a wide range of solutions for all kinds of problems.
Follow these tips to get the best from your footwear:
Leather:
Remove dirt and clay daily with a soft cloth or brush. Apply Woly cream to condition the leather hide scuff marks. The cream will also nourish the leather to prevent cracking. Woly Wax colours are also beneficial as the leather absorbs the wax and helps to weatherproof the uppers and gives an instant shine.
Suede:
To remove stains and dirt, try masking tape. Woly Velour coloured sprays revitalise and hide ‘shiny’ areas.
Regular use of Woly Protector 3x3 Spray is recommended to keep stains at bay and weather proof materials.
Patent Leathers:
Oil based patent leather is less likely to crack or peel. To prevent this, rub in some petroleum jelly and allow to soak in. Buff up with a soft cloth to keep shine. Woly Metalic Perlato is great for maintaining a pearlised or metalic finish
General Cleaning:
Woly Combi Proper removes dirt and stains from all types of materials and comes with a free sponge!
Common Problems:
Zips getting stuck:
Run a lead pencil or candle on the teeth of the zip to make it run smoothly. To prevent wear and tear on boot zips (which can cause breakage) insert rolled up newspaper to keep them upright when not worn.
Laces Opening:
Apply neutral polish on the laces and leave to dry overnight. This should solve the problem. Try Wholy Lace Locks which act as a pulley on the lace. Great for those who have not yet mastered the task themselves or anyone with stiff joints/arthritis.
Scuffing on a pattern
Pretty leather styles with ornate printed designs may lose their lustre if they are scuffed as the pattern is worn down and scraped. Matching coloured shoe cream can improve appearances but will do little to replace the design. Try a little clear nail varnish to preserve the pattern. Test on an inconspicuous area first!
Shoes staining socks
Look out for insoles and linings made from cream coloured leather or ‘bleached’ leather
Call into any of our ‘snoutlet’s’ and we will be
happy to shine their shoes for free!
Caring for your feet
It is important to remember that all new shoes and sandals should first be worn with socks as the bare skin on a child’s foot is sensitive and may be prone to marking in a new shoe.
Feet should be washed everyday and dried thoroughly, especially between the toes.
Trim nail straight across, never cut the corners.Wear clean socks everyday, not too short nor too long
Fasten footwear correctly as this will prevent the foot from moving around inside. The heel of the foot should always be held in place at the back of the shoe.
Wear shoes made from leather or canvas, especially if you sweat a lot! These natural marerials will 'breath'
Wear shoes that fit, we will measure and check the fit of your child’s shoes free of charge and advise you on the best choice of footwear suited to their needs
