How to Care for Work Shoes

Work shoes are an important part of workwear, providing reliable and effective protection for the feet while performing professional duties. High-quality protective footwear for employees should be as comfortable as possible, as it will be worn throughout the entire shift to help prevent workplace injuries. Following proper care guidelines will help keep professional work shoes in good condition for a long time.

Rules for caring for work shoes

Professional work shoes should be cleaned of dirt after every work shift. You can use a sponge or a special brush, taking care not to damage the surface. Cleaning with organic solvents is not permitted, so additional protective measures should be used when painting.

It is necessary to clean not only the sole and toe of the shoes, but also the upper part and the creases. Otherwise, accumulated dirt will cause the material to become brittle.

Cleaned protective footwear should be dried outdoors or in a well-ventilated room. To prevent the material from drying out, do not place protective footwear closer than 30 cm to heaters, and do not put it directly on radiators or other heating devices.

If protective shoes become wet while performing professional duties, they should not be dried without first being cleaned, as removing dried dirt later may significantly damage the surface.

How should you clean them properly? Dirty leather work shoes, such as Aviator 213 SE or Galaxy 219, should be cleaned immediately after returning home, but in any case before going outside, because if the dirt dries indoors, the leather will quickly lose its appearance. Do not put it off; take a few minutes to clean your shoes.

First, remove the dirt with a dry brush, then wipe the shoes with a clean, damp cloth and wait for them to dry. If leather work shoes are very wet, wipe them dry with a soft cloth. Next, apply protective cream using a special brush or sponge and leave the work shoes overnight. This gives the leather time to absorb the oils. In the morning, polish the shoes using a special sponge.

Most people make the same mistake: they do not clean their genuine leather work shoes but simply apply cream straight away. As a result, multiple layers of cream and dyes build up on the leather, damaging the shoes and preventing the leather from “breathing”. So remember that leather shoes must be cleaned first, and only then should a care product be applied.

Storage

Another essential part of caring for leather work shoes is proper storage. Following storage recommendations also affects the service life of work shoes. They should be stored in a dry place, away from dust, direct sunlight and chemicals. During the off-season, each pair of leather work shoes should be kept in a separate cardboard box or special bags made of natural materials. Before storage, the shoes should be cleaned, dried and treated with a suitable care product. The storage temperature should be approximately 18 °C, with relative humidity of up to 65%. To prevent deformation, it is best to place a special plastic shoe insert or crumpled paper inside each protective shoe.

It should be remembered that protective footwear manufactured by Talan and made from natural materials is susceptible to damage by pests, including moths. Therefore, the storage area must be ventilated as a preventive measure.