1. You overwear them.
Everyone has their own favorite pair, but if you wear (abuse) them every single day, they will deteriorate faster. It's best to keep at least three pairs of shoes on rotation to avoid extreme wear and tear.
2. You neglect them.
Overwearing is a sin, but totally neglecting them is also a big mistake. Your shoes need to breathe, so take them out for a walk every week and avoid storing them in plastic bags. It's also good practice to apply leather conditioner on your shoes every week to prevent the leather from cracking.
3. You do not protect them.
When we get new footwear, we get excited and slip them on immediately without protecting them. Spritz waterproof spray on canvas, leather, and suede to hamper water stains and weakening of the exterior.
4. You don't clean them prior to storage.
Accumulated dirt weakens the material of your footwear. Remove dirt on suede by rubbing it with a nail file or dry and stale bread. Treat leather shoes by spot cleaning them with a mild laundry detergent and a damp cloth.
5. You machine wash your sneakers.
Your kicks, no matter how filthy they get, should never be dumped in the washing machine. Doing so degrades their quality and reduces the strength of the glue that binds the whole shoe. Here's a more in-depth guide to caring for your beloved sneakers.
PHOTO: Pixabay
