When it comes to shoe care, preventative practices are better than trying to fix an existing problem.

For one, taking good, general care of your shoes is essential. You can engage a shoe cobbler to help put a toe-piece on your shoes to prevent scuffs, or add an anti-slip sole to prevent the bottoms from wearing down.

Clean your shoes regularly with a soft brush to get extra dirt and dust off them. If you are cleaning our washable shoes (IBI or IBI Slip-On) be sure to treat them the same as hand-wash garments! Remove the insoles, set them in a cool cycle (less than 30 degrees celsius) and air-dry them away from direct sunlight.

Another bit of preventative maintenance is to protect your shoes from inclement weather. Buy a water and stain protector to protect your shoes, but remember not to overspray!

Your shoes can also become unwearable if odor develops due to heat and sweat. Wear moisture-wicking socks with your shoes, and air them before your next wear.

You can also make an environmentally friendly natural deodorizing spray, using essential oils like tea tree. Your shoes will smell fresh, plus this spray fights bacteria without leaving a chemical residue behind!

Have your shoes last longer with proper storage.

If you’re storing leather shoes in a place that’s very dry or hot, the leather gets dried out and starts cracking. Try to store your shoes in a cool place with a bit of moisture (neatly shelved in your closet is key). We’d also recommend a leather conditioner every couple of months.

If you’re traveling, use shoe bags to avoid scuffs and keep dirty soles away from clean clothes.

Another way to store your shoes is to use a shoe tree! You can look for cedar or a similar wood shoe tree, as an easy way to absorb moisture and maintain the original shape of your shoe.

Shoehorns are great for maintaining the integrity of your leather shoes, and a good way to take care of your sneakers and other types of footwear. When you use a shoehorn, it helps prevent excess pressure from being put on the heel. When you put too much pressure on the heel of a shoe—whether it’s leather, suede, or any other material— it changes the entire shape of the shoe over time.

It’s good to invest in a few pairs of sneakers to rotate between wears. Even if you have one pair you like more than all the others, rotating them with at least one other pair keeps them from wearing out too quickly!

Investing in environmentally friendly shoes is a proactive choice to lighten the environmental impact of your wardrobe. At CARIUMA, our sustainable sneakers are engineered for durability and comfort. Our shoes feature a fully-stitched outsole and protective toe cap, and, most importantly, natural materials like organic cotton canvas, ethically sourced suede & leather, and bamboo + rPET knit. Paired with our moisture-wicking bamboo + organic cotton socks, you have yourself a pair that is truly built to last.