Hitting the pavement in your cognac leather ankle booties on the reg can take a major toll on your favorite footwear. But a scuff here or loose stitch there shouldn’t go unaddressed because you don’t want to hoof it to the cobbler. Save yourself a pricey bill for the small stuff and keep your shoes in working order for years to come with these shoe hacks.
1. The Problem: Dingy, Stained Sneaker Soles
The fix: Bring those chunky platforms or white rubber soles back to a high-wattage white with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, ($3.49 for a pack of two, via Drugstore.com).
2. The Problem: Scuffed Suede Shoes
The fix: Eliminate an unsightly scuff by gently rubbing a never-used pencil eraser back and forth over the scuff until the spot disappears. The friction will make the dirt lift up and off the surface.
3. The Problem: Fix a Nicked Leather Shoe
The fix: Right the offending leather flap by applying a couple drops of Krazy Glue ($4.53, via Amazon), lightly pressing the flap back in place with the tip of your fingernail, and filling in the edges with a matching felt-tip marker.
4. The Problem: Small Scuffs and Nicks on Black Leather Shoes
The fix: Get away with the lazy fix of a black felt-tip marker for the time being.
5. The Problem: Reattach a Shoe Sole
The fix: Keep a floppy sole from compromising your schedule before you can get to the shoe guy by using a wood skewer to evenly smear Shoe Goo ($5.95 via Amazon) in the compromised area, and using a workshop clip or clothespin for keeping it in place as it dries.
6. The Problem: Scuffed Patent-Leather Shoes
The fix: Use a cotton swab to rub petroleum jelly on the scuff until it disappears.