Penny Simmons
Shoe Care Specialist
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Co-authored Articles (31)
The Best Ways to Clean Suede Shoes without Ruining Them
Refresh the look of your sneakers, boots, and dress shoes with or without suede shampoo You love the soft and velvety look of your new suede shoes, but when they get scuffed or stained? Not so much. Even though suede is...
How to
Polish Shoes
A good shoe polishing technique will not only make your shoes look great, it will also extend their life. Learning how to polish your own shoes will give you a great sense of satisfaction and save you a lot of money over...
The 4 Best Ways to Clean White Shoes
A quick and easy guide to cleaning white shoes or sneakers of any materialWhite shoes are stylish and bright when they’re new and clean, but they can easily get dirty from normal wear and tear. Luckily, it’s super ea...
The Best Way to Clean Shoes in the Washing Machine and by Hand
A guide to cleaning sneakers, leather or suede dress shoes & moreNo matter what kind of lifestyle you lead, your shoes will inevitably get dirty. Luckily, a simple cleaning and toss in the washing machine can remove exce...
How to
Polish Boots
Whether you are performing routine maintenance or reviving your favorite pair of leather boots, knowing the correct way to polish them will have them looking almost brand-new in no time. By collecting all of the necessar...
How to
Wash Shoes in a Washing Machine
If your shoes have become extra dirty or smelly, you may be able to refresh them in the washing machine. Canvas or pleather shoes can easily be washed on the gentle cycle and then air-dried. Don’t wash leather shoes, f...
How to
Clean Rubber on Shoes
Discoloration of the rubber on your shoes is often caused by a buildup of dirt and grime, and while it may make them look worn to you, you can revitalize your shoes with a bit of effort. Cleaning the rubber soles on your...
How to
Fix Cracked Leather Shoes
When leather shoes dry out, cracks begin to form. These cracks aren’t technically fixable because the damage can’t be reversed, but you can recondition the leather. Before attempting to treat a crack, clean the shoes...
How to
Stretch New Shoes
If you've ever bought a pair of shoes that were too small, you probably didn't wear them long before you started wondering if there was a way to stretch them. While you can't change your shoe much more than a quarter- to...
How to
Break in Patent Leather Shoes
Patent leather shoes, with their distinctive gleam, make a striking and fun addition to any wardrobe. Modern patent leather shoes get their shine from a thin coating of plastic over the leather. Unfortunately, this plast...
How to
Fix Painful Shoes
Certain shoes can be painful to wear, but they do not always have to be. Before you subject yourself to the torture of aching, chafed, and blistered feet, try some of the tips and tricks outlines in this article. Keep in...
How to
Stretch Canvas Shoes
Make tight shoes fit more comfortably with our guideCanvas shoes are comfortable, cheap, and versatile. However, they can be narrow in the toes when you first buy them, so breaking them in takes effort and patience. You ...
The Best Ways to Clean Birkenstock Shoes, Straps, & Footbeds
Expert care advice for removing stains and maintaining your shoes Once you've worn your Birkenstocks for a while, you probably started noticing that they look a little dirty. Can you wash Birkenstocks? Not in the washin...
How to
Stretch Your Shoes With Ice
'Have you ever bought shoes that happened to be a tad too small but it was too late to return them? Before wear your tight shoes out and about and give yourself painful blisters, try using ice to stretch out your shoes a...
How to
Give Your Parade Shoes That Mirror Finish
Have a formal parade coming up? Or simply a kit inspection? Is your parade shoes not shiny enough? No worries, just follow these simple steps and have the best shoes in you contingent or corp.
How to
Stretch Suede Shoes
Your DIY guide to stretching suede boots & shoes at home You can easily stretch shoes, even if they’re made of the famously finicky fabric suede. A suede-safe stretching spray will do the trick if you just need a bit o...
How to
Widen Leather Shoes
While leather shoes naturally stretch with wear and shape to your feet, when they're new, they can feel tight and painful. Speeding up the stretching process can be done, and a few suggested ways are presented here.
How to
Stretch Shoes Lengthwise
While there are many ways to make a too-tight pair of shoes better conform to your feet, increasing the amount of room you have from heel to toe is a little trickier. It may be doable, however, if you have a shoe stretch...
Can You Put Merrell Shoes in the Washing Machine?
If your Merrell shoes are looking a little worse for wear lately (and maybe putting off some questionable odors), you might be tempted to toss them in the washing machine to clean them. But is machine washing your shoes ...
How to Clean Dirty Crocs at Home
Wash and refresh any kind of Crocs, including white, leather, and more Crocs are as convenient and easy to clean as they are to wear. Their signature foam material sheds grime and stains with no problem, so long as you k...
