After buying shoes, the main task you have to do is to keep them protected like new ones. Many things damage your footwear. Dry rot is one of them.
Why does dry rot happen in shoes? There are many reasons for dry rot in shoes. The most important of which is improper footwear storage, which finally renders the footwear unusable. And throwing away such lovely shoes surely causes me a sore heart.
Now if you are reading this blog post about the topic of “how to keep shoes from dry rotting?” then it’s time to get rid of this shoe problem. In this article, we will discuss all the possible reasons, the prevention, and the solution to dry rotting. So, let’s start this journey now.
What Is Dry Rotting In The World Of Shoes?
Dry rot simply indicates that the footwear’s components have gotten too dry and will degrade as a result of a lack of water.
Dry rotting is caused by a fungus called Serpula lacrymans; it will not harm your health if you are allergic to fungi or have asthma.
Dry Rot In Leather Shoes
When footwear deteriorates, it’ll become brittle to the touch and a white powdery substance will form on the top. If the footwear is made of leather, the yellowing will be induced by dry rot.
Dry Rot In Rubber Shoes
If the footwear is made of rubber, the situation will be the opposite. Your footwear will still dry rot, but this time due to the disintegration of chemicals rather than a fungus. The polymers separate, allowing your footwear to dry up and split.
What Are The Causes Of Dry Rotting?
To know the reasons for the dry rot or fungal attacks on leather footwear, first, learn about the anatomy of leather.
You must also grasp how the leather reacts in various situations. For example, the leather used to make the footwear contains oil. When the footwear is made at the factory, the producers use this oil.
If you inspect the quality of your fresh leather shoes, you will notice that they have a delicate feel that fades as they wear. As a result, when leather footwear is left unworn for an extended period, the moisture in the leather disappears, leaving the footwear dry. This leads the fibers to degrade, breaking and forming fissures.
To explain, leather does not begin to dry rot as a result of not being worn. Instead, it begins to break off as a result of neglect. Leather, you know, deserves to be fixed with care oil regularly.
Oils and conditioners are used to keep leather shoes in good shape. This helps to keep the leather well maintained. Well-cared-for footwear can last for a long time. As a result, the most important thing is to keep the leather from leaking its oil. In that manner, it will remain untouched for a long period.
How Do Keep Shoes From Dry Rotting?
If your shoes are getting dry rot, then there is no perfect method to restore them. So, it’s better to change them rather than use various methods on them and waste your time.
But some hacks will help to prevent dry rot in shoes. So, if you keep them in your mind while using your shoes, it will save your shoes from dry rot and keep them away from any damage.
Buy High-Quality Shoes
There are many tips to prevent dry rotting, but the main thing is that the shoes that you are going to buy are waterproof. Dry rot in high-quality shoes is very minor as compared to low-quality footwear.
Because cheap-quality shoes have less durability and will deteriorate faster than high-quality or genuine leather footwear, If you keep high-quality footwear properly for an extended period, you will avoid dry rot and ensure that the stitching and adhesive remain untouched.
Keep Them In A Temperature-Controlled, Dry Area
If you never want to use your shoes for a maximum time, then it’s best to store them correctly. The place is very important for storing them to protect them from dry rotting.
You have to store them in a place where they are not directly in contact with heat, especially with the sunlight, and not too cold an area. This place should be dry without any contact with moisture. Because water will damage the quality of the footwear with time and will be the cause of dry rotting.
Store them in a dry area with no sources of water or excessive room moisture. A bedroom wardrobe is an excellent place to keep them.
Never Keep Your Footwear In A Plastic Shoebox
Shoe containers (whether plastic or cardboard) is a poor option for long shoe storage and can facilitate dry rotting activity. They obstruct normal airflow and provide an ideal setting for humidity accumulation and, ultimately, mold. Rather, they were using a shoe rack or an unsecured shelf.
Use Your Rubber Shoes Mostly
Unlike leather footwear, which must be reconditioned every so often, rubber footwear only needs one thing: use them!
This aids in flexing the rubber and keeping it in excellent condition. If you do not do this, the chemicals in the rubber in the footwear will come apart if you leave them being used for an extended period. That’s how you’ll have gotten rid of your footwear.
Both organic and inorganic rubber footwear are susceptible to dry decay. As a result, this approach to preventing dry rot in footwear extends to both varieties of rubber.
Simultaneously, invest in better, high-quality rubber that will not deteriorate after being exposed to sunshine.
Wear Or Condition Your Footwear Every Couple Of Months
Shoes are meant to be worn, and storing them in the wardrobe for a lengthy amount of time might be harmful. Using your footwear regularly will introduce them to cool air, and wiping them before and after use will eradicate any germs that have started to develop within them.
Even if you are not using your footwear, consider revitalizing them with specialist footwear care products such as shoe polishers or cleansers. Dry rot may be prevented by cleaning once or twice a year.
Fill Your Shoes With Newspaper, Shoe Trees, Or Desiccants
We frequently make the error of keeping damp footwear, yet this is a serious error. Wet footwear produces an unpleasant odor and degrades the footwear substance.
To avoid these issues and preserve your footwear from dry rotting, pack them with newspaper or use shoe trees or desiccants when you store them so that if the footwear becomes wet, the newspaper, shoe trees, or desiccants will absorb all of the excess moisture.
Additionally, placing newspaper within the footwear keeps the contour of the shoes consistent.
Rotate Your Shoes
Wearing the same pair of shoes every day can cause them to wear out faster, leading to dry rot. To prevent this, rotate your shoes regularly. This allows each pair to rest and recover, while also extending their lifespan.
Some More Hacks To Avoid Dry Rot In Your Shoes
- There are other things you can do to make your shoes live longer. Note that the soles of your footwear absorb the greatest abuse, so strive to maintain them. Online, you may get a range of sole covers for various types of shoes. Keep them somewhere secure.
- In your closet, arrange them nicely in pairs. It’s alright on the ground, but if you don’t have a footwear tree, a shelf is preferable. Allow for some room between the pairings. A dust guard will come with expensive shoes, but a pillowcase will suffice.
- Note that footwear, even canvas ones, cannot be machine washed.
- When it comes to leather, a baby brush comes in handy for a fast clean-up. After washing, pack them with paper and air dry. This will not only keep the footwear dry, but it will also help to eliminate odors, retain the form, and avoid dry rot.
- A shoehorn not only makes putting on shoes simpler but also preserves the heel’s form by minimizing crushing. This will help preserve the shoe’s collar in good shape.
- Your smart footwear should be polished and cleaned on a routine basis.
Conclusion – How To Keep Shoes From Dry Rotting
How do you keep your shoes from drying out and rotting? You are searching for the answer to that question because you are tired of the dry rotting damage in your shoes.
Dry rotting is a condition in which the material of your footwear gets too dry due to the moisture of your feet and the material of the shoes.
There are some tips and tricks to avoid dry rot in your shoes. First, you have to wear them regularly and keep them clean. If you never want to wear them but need to store them, then never keep your footwear in a plastic shoebox, wrap them in a newspaper, or use shoe trees to keep them safe.
When you are going to buy shoes, then try to buy a high-quality leather material that is durable and provides great resistance against dry rotting.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can dry-rotted shoes be repaired?
No, there is no perfect way to restore the original condition after dry rotting. If you use some tricks then you can’t get your footwear in a good condition. So, it’s better to change your shoes and apply these tips to them to avoid dry rotting in the future.
Does footwear degrade inbox?
No matter how costly your footwears are, if they are not stored in suitable packaging, it will degrade. I strongly advise against keeping footwear in plastic boxes since doing so ultimately molds the footwear, causing them to dry out, fall apart, and finally rot.
