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You’re all dressed up and ready to head out and then you see it—your shoes are peeling. Don’t worry! There are actually a few simple tricks you can use to fix the problem. No matter the material or the location, most peeling shoes can be repaired. To make it a little easier, we’ve answered a few of the most common questions about what you can do to get your shoes back to their original glory.
Fixing Peeling Leather Shoes
Real leather shoes don't peel, but faux leather shoes do. To fix them, rub the peeled leather with 180-grit sandpaper until the surface is smooth. Fill the cracks with a permanent marker that's a similar color as the surrounding leather. Rub shoe polish over the peeled area and let it dry completely.
Steps
Question 4 of 5:
Can the inside lining of shoes be repaired?
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Tape it down with duct tape for a simple fix. Cut a strip of duct tape and attach it sticky-side down over the peeling area. Smooth out the surface of the tape and your lining should stay held down until the tape wears out. [5] X Research source -
2Cut a denim patch and attach it with fabric glue to replace the lining. If the fabric on the inside part of the heel is flaking or coming loose, you can replace it with a patch. Cut a patch of fabric from some denim or cloth. Hold the patch against the inside of the heel and mark the edges with a marker. Cut the patch to fit neatly inside your shoe with a pair of scissors. Then, apply fabric glue to the inside of your shoe and place the patch on top. Smooth out the surface and allow the glue to fully dry before you wear the shoe. [6] X Research source
- Check the packaging on the glue for specific drying times.
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Question 5 of 5:
How do I stop my shoes from peeling?
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Place your shoes on a shoe tree when you aren’t wearing them. A shoe tree is a wooden stand that’s designed to hold your shoes in a way that helps prevent creases and cracks from forming. Instead of storing your shoes on the floor or in a closet, slide them onto a shoe tree until you’re ready to wear them. [7] X Research source- If you have pets, keep your shoes out of reach!
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2Store your shoes away from light and heat. Heat and light can warp your shoes and over time can cause them to peel. Keep them stored in a location away from direct sunlight or a heat source. Somewhere like your closet or a corner in your room should work fine. [8] X Research source
- Allow your shoes to fully dry before you store them. The moisture can cause them to crack.
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3Polish and clean your shoes regularly. Take care of your shoes by cleaning any dirt or grime that collects on the surface. Use a shoe cleaner and gently wipe the surface with a clean cloth. At least once a month, polish up your shoes with quality shoe polishing items such as wax polish, cream polish, or leather conditioner for leather shoes. [9] X Research source
- Choose a shoe polish that matches the color of your shoes.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow do you stop leather from cracking?Marc Sigal is a Shoe Care Specialist based in Los Angeles. Marc has over 19 years of experience working in the world of e-commerce, with extensive experience with the care of luxury goods. He is currently the VP of Strategic Partnerships at Blutag, an e-commerce platform helping consumers find products. Prior to Blutag, he founded ButlerBox, a dry cleaning and shoe care service based in Los Angeles, California. ButlerBox reinvented amenity services by placing custom-designed, wrinkle-resistant lockers in luxury apartment buildings, class A office buildings, shopping centers, and other convenient locations. The company got acquired by Rinse.com in 2021. Marc has a BA in Global and International Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.Leather is a finicky material, and if it's not treated correctly, it will start to dry and crack. Conditioning is very important—apply the leather conditioner over the shoe with a soft brush or clean cloth, let it dry, and then brush off any excess conditioner. Just make sure you choose a conditioner that matches the color of the shoe.
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QuestionWhat does leather conditioner do?Marc Sigal is a Shoe Care Specialist based in Los Angeles. Marc has over 19 years of experience working in the world of e-commerce, with extensive experience with the care of luxury goods. He is currently the VP of Strategic Partnerships at Blutag, an e-commerce platform helping consumers find products. Prior to Blutag, he founded ButlerBox, a dry cleaning and shoe care service based in Los Angeles, California. ButlerBox reinvented amenity services by placing custom-designed, wrinkle-resistant lockers in luxury apartment buildings, class A office buildings, shopping centers, and other convenient locations. The company got acquired by Rinse.com in 2021. Marc has a BA in Global and International Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.Leather conditioner is a softening agent. It not only keeps the leather from cracking, but also helps make the leather softer and more pliable, so it helps break the shoes in more easily.
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Tips
- Try alternating between pairs of shoes so you don’t wear out your shoes sooner, which can cause them to crack and peel.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://essential.construction/news/how-to-repair-cracked-leather-boots-a-detailed-guide/
- ↑ https://essential.construction/news/how-to-repair-cracked-leather-boots-a-detailed-guide/
- ↑ https://independencebrothers.com/blogs/leather-jackets/faux-leather
- ↑ http://www.frugalupstate.com/mending-repairing/diy-shoe-repair-how-to-reattach-a-loose-sole/
- ↑ https://www.thecreativefolk.com/inside-shoe-flaking/
- ↑ https://www.thecreativefolk.com/inside-shoe-flaking/
- ↑ https://fashionandmash.com/how-to-prevent-shoes-from-peeling/
- ↑ https://fashionandmash.com/how-to-prevent-shoes-from-peeling/
- ↑ https://fashionandmash.com/how-to-prevent-shoes-from-peeling/
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Reader Success Stories
- "A pair of my favorite Stilettos began to crack and peel, while at Church. I went to the ladies room and applied a warm paper towel over the area for moisture and thereafter applied my lip covering of Vaseline. Held out wonderfully for a quick fix." ..." more
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"A pair of my favorite Stilettos began to crack and peel, while at Church. I went to the ladies room and applied a warm paper towel over the area for moisture and thereafter applied my lip covering of Vaseline. Held out wonderfully for a quick fix."
..."
more
