You have saved up all that hard earned cash that the economy is so eager to take right back. Now what do you do with it? Go out and buy that beautiful new pair of Pumas that you have had your eye on for so long.
But nothing lasts forever and that prized possession is going to have its day with a mud puddle or a devious pile of dirt. You worked hard for these Pumas, no need to throw them out and buy a new pair. Just follow a few easy steps to make them look as good as the day you bought them.
Option 1
First, remove those laces. Laces are easy to replace. Pumas usually even give you a couple pair. You can try to throw them in the machine but nine times out of ten it won’t work.
Check your shoes; what kind of material are they? If it is leather (just synthetic or real-NOT suede), canvas or nylon, use a softer-type cloth and mild detergent. Dreft detergent seems to work wonders on these shoes!
Scrub the shoe ever so gently with cool water and the detergent. If you have a stubborn stain, try a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Remember to never submerge leather into water.
Option 2
Another option I have found is vinegar. Rubbing a bit on the stain, letting it soak in and then following the steps above is a great option to getting out a stain.
Vinegar, of course, does not have a pleasant smell so the soap and water technique is still highly recommended. Unless you like your feet to smell like vinegar, that is.
Option 3
If you are all out of at-home techniques, there is a shoe cleaner from Footlocker called Nubuck cleaner. It is guaranteed, so you have nothing to lose with that one.
What about Suede Pumas?
We talked about canvas, synthetic and nylon above, but what about those awesome suede Pumas that everyone is wearing these days? Those can be cleaned too, but with absolutely different techniques.
The best is one my mother always swore by, baby wipes. Why they work so well on suede, we may never know, but that is the cheapest and fastest option for getting those shoes clean. If that doesn’t work, check just about any store that sells shoes for a suede leather cleaner.
These all have that great new shoe smell and seem to work wonders on leather without making them worn and hard like water can.
With a bit of upkeep, your Pumas will last as long as you do. Take the time to make them look their best because we all know a great shoe like Pumas will never go out of style.