Shoe Care & Foot Care – Useful Tips for Keeping your Feet & Shoes Looking tszuji

Without good upkeep, shoes soon get ruined and won't see another season. Just like us they need TLC and protection using ‘special’ products. Here are a few tips and information to help you keep your Jimmy Choo’s pristine from one season to the next.

Is there anything worse than finding your favourite pair of diva shoes has been scuffed or soiled because they are all thrown into your wardrobe on top of one another!!!! Using Tszuji clear shoe boxes not only prevents this but also means you can see each pair at a glance and gives you room for more pairs!!

When travelling always pack your shoes into a soft bag like the tszuji Peek-A-Shoe Pouch – they deserve a little pampering too (and it will prevent those fab frocks from dirty heels or getting snagged)! Or you can wrap them in something soft you will also be packing (don’t blame us if you need to launder on arrival though!).

Storing your footwear using a shoe tree will help maintain their shape and can help prolong their life. Timpson have some excellent Shoe trees for keeping your shoes in shape.

To prevent your fabulous boots from getting the sag- wrinkles store them using a boot tree or boot shaper. Tszuji will be releasing a fab line of Boot Shapers just in time to Shape your Booties this Winter. (back to the top)

Remember the first time you took them out of the box– like a brand new Ferrari on the forecourt!! The first rule of protection is definitely prevention.

Never wear your shoes two days running. Allowing them to rest will allow them to recover their shape and dry out ( a little like us) – also means you will have to go out and buy another pair to allow you to alternate!

Prevent those annoying scuffs and dirt marks by lovingly storing each pair in its own clear shoe or boot box – oddly enough tszuji just happen to have some of these!

It is advisable to waterproof any new pair of shoes – this will nourish them and help protect against the weather. Kiwi Multi-Purpose Protector is a great product for this.

To keep leather soft and supple, you could also apply a little castor oil and leave to dry, then clean in the usual way.

Footwear is not waterproof unless clearly labelled on the product - never machine wash your footwear as this will seriously damage your shoes.

Heavily dyed leather uppers are not colourfast – be sure to apply some form of waterproofing. Kiwi Mutli-Purpose Protector will protect them from grease, water, mud and snow

Allow wet footwear to dry naturally in a well ventilated area as this will prevent any damage. Do Not dry your footwear using an artificial heat source as this will damage uppers and cause the leather to separate from the bonding. We recommend using the Dryzone™ Shoe Dryer which will not only dry your shoes gently without heat but also protect from bacterial and fungal growth

Poorly fitted shoes can not only damage those delicate tootsies but worse still ruin your prize Louboutins!! Using Foot Petals Tip Toes and Heavenly Heelz can help adjust the fit to your foot.

Perish driving scuffs, kerb scrapes, heel graze, grass stains, mud soiling and cobble creep – your heels are invaluable! Using Heel Angels heel protection strips from Tszuji can prevent all of these shoe disasters keeping those killer heels looking killer.

Heel tips are designed to wear away and are not guaranteed by the manufacture, some companies do provide a replacement pair in any new purchases, but you can pick up new heel tips from your local cobblers at minimal cost.

Replace heel tips, leather soles and insocks regularly to prolong the life of your footwear and prevent damage to the construction.

Brand new leather soled footwear should never be worn in wet weather conditions, It is important to wear them on a dry day to allow a build up of grit on the soles, doing this will help protect the leather and extend the life of the footwear.

Castor oil is also useful for waterproofing the underneath of leather soles if you must wear them in the wet. (back to the top)

Before you polish your shoes remove any dust or dirt with a clean cloth or by lightly brushing – Kiwi Shoe Brushes and Wipes are great products and readily available.

Clean and protect your shoes regularly using the correct products. We recommend Kiwi and Dasco shoe care products.

If your shoes have a waxed leather upper, regularly use dubbin or a leather conditioner such as Dasco Leather Conditioner to keep the leather supple.

Suede uppers will look their best when brushed with a good quality suede brush – Dasco’s Crepe Suede Brush or Timpson’s Wire Suede Brush are both excellent products.

Instead of using a wire suede brush which can take off the top layer of the leather try using masking tape.

To clean nubuck leather use a very fine sandpaper - brings it up like new. You can also use purpose made products such as Kiwi Suede and Nubuck Brushes and Cleaners

To clean patent leather shoes rub in petroleum jelly and leave for a while to soak in, the buff up with a soft clean cloth. This will not only keep them shiny but also prevent them cracking.

Synthetic materials are less fragile than natural leather. Clean your synthetic shoes with a damp cloth or a gentle brush, polish and waterproof. (back to the top)

If brightly coloured leather becomes faded in certain areas use an oil pastel of the same colour over the affected areas then top up with a neutral wax polish. Buff up and hey presto your faves are tszujed again! (back to the top)

Stretching that pair that never quite fitted can sometimes require ingenious methods – here are a few of our favourites.

You could start by using shoe trees that are slightly too big for the shoe - Timpson shoe trees will do the job.

Slip a leak-proof plastic bag into the shoe, fill with water, ensuring it fills the shoe completely. Close securely and freeze. The water expands and stretches the shoe.

Put a shoe that is too tight on and put rubbing alcohol on the tight spot and walk around with the shoe on. (back to the top)

White salt stains on leather shoes are extremely difficult to remove and the treatment risky. You could try, however, mixing a mild washing-up liquid with an equal amount of white spirit and enough water to make a creamy solution (1:1::4 ratio). Work this over the entire shoe, giving extra attention to the salt mark, before rinsing and gently drying. This will remove the polish and, with luck, the salt stain. Repolish when completely dry. As any treatment only removes the surface salt line, the stain may well reappear.

If your Boot zips are getting stuck - run a lead pencil down the zip and they will run smoothly.

If crepe soles become sticky, put talcum powder on them and this will resolve the problem.

If crepe soled shoes become stiff put them in a warm oven (70 to 100 deg Celsius) for a minute and they will become flexible again.

To give a vintage look to a light pair of shoes, polish with a much darker polish than the original leather colour. (back to the top)

Insoles are products that can be made from many different substances such as gel, leather or a rubber mix, that aim to act as a cushion, pressure reliving device, to help manage mechanical disorders of the foot or simply act as a moisture absorber. Insoles are commonly used as arch supports for the condition known as flat feet, can help to relieve ankle sprains and strains and to relieve discomfort of corns and calluses. Many sports people benefit from the use of insoles as they act as a shock absorber for high impact sports, or add comfort to long distance running.

For everyday use, insoles and Feet Cushions are good for amending shoes to fit, particularly if you are a half size; buying the smaller size will only cause problems such as foot ache, corns and calluses, it is much better to buy the slightly larger pair to allow room for foot expansion when they become hot, and because the size can be amended by using a foot insole. (back to the top)

PORON is a breathable, open cell material which allows air to escape, keeping your feet cool and dry. It provides less movement and more stability in shoes. On average, Foot Petals designer cushions (all made from high performance PORON) are three times lighter and thinner than gel. PORON performance urethane is non-latex, hypoallergenic and eco-friendly. Long-lasting comfort & lifetime guarantee.

Gel is solid visco-elastic plastic material that creates more bounce which causes shock and fatigue to feet, legs and lower back. The non-breathable sticky material traps foot sweat and breeds bacteria which leads to blisters, odor and instability. Gel insoles have a limited lifespan of 6 months to a year.

Foot Petals insole products are made from PORON performance urethanes, which help stop friction, prevent blisters and calluses from forming, protect bones and tissue, and provide superior comfort.

Have a terrible burning sensation under the ball of your foot by the end of the day? By the end of the night do your killer shoes give up before you do?

Relieve the burning sensation on the ball-of-foot area by placing Tip Toes in your shoes prior to stepping out. These pretty petal shaped cushions will not only help absorb shock, but will relieve stress and tension on bones and joints. Tip Toes will also prevent "Ugly Overhang" and "Toe Scrunch"! Remember your Foot Petals cushions before heading out! (back to the top)

Place Tip Toes inside shoe. Tip Toes will help keep the foot positioned properly and will prevent the foot from sliding forward than add Strappy Strips. Strappy Strips are great for thongs and can be trimmed to line the portion between your big and second toe. This will help prevent blisters and ugly red marks from forming on your feet. (back to the top)

Do you have very narrow feet and would love to find a way to wear stylish shoes that are too wide?

Layer Foot Petals cushions. Begin by placing Killer Kushionz inside of shoe and then add Tip Toes on top of Killer Kushionz. Finally place Heavenly Heelz along the back and sides of shoes. This will help take up the extra room inside the shoe. (back to the top)

Are your feet two different sizes so you always have a shoe that is a bit big? What do I do to fill the space in the shoe that is too big?

Layer Foot Petals cushions. Begin by placing Killer Kushionz inside of shoe and then add Tip Toes on top of Killer Kushionz. Finally place Heavenly Heelz along the back and sides of the shoe that is to big. This will help take up the extra room inside the shoe. (back to the top)

What do you suggest using if you are wearing panty hose with mules to keep feet from slipping and sliding?

Place Tip Toes inside of shoe. Tip Toes will help keep the foot positioned properly and will prevent the foot from sliding forward then add Heavenly Heelz. Heavenly Heelz can be placed along the top of the mule which will help grip and keep the shoe in place. All Foot Petals cushions work great with hosiery. (back to the top)

Sometimes my flats can be very uncomfortable when I am walking a lot in them. What can you recommend to combat this feeling?

Layer Foot Petals cushions. Begin with Killer Kushionz which will help absorb shock and cushion each step then add Amazing Arches. Amazing Arches support arches and give shoes the "perfect fit." Finally place Heavenly Heelz along the backside of the shoe to prevent the shoe from cutting into the foot, which causes blisters and irritation. (back to the top)

Do you have this wonderful pair of peep toe shoes and the pressure of the shoes on your big toes is unbearable?

Place Tip Toes inside shoe. Tip Toes will help to keep the foot positioned properly and will prevent the foot from sliding forward than add Heavenly Heelz or Strappy Strips. Heavenly Heelz and Strappy Strips can be trimmed to line the inside of the peep toe. This will help to alleviate the pressure on the big toe. (back to the top)

So you bought those fabulous pair of heels that are a ½ size too big! Well don't put them into the shoe graveyard at the back of your closet. A simple solution is to place a Tip Toe, then a Killer Kushionz on top. If they’re still too loose, use either Strappy Strips or Heavenly Heelz upside down on the top of the shoe and at the back of the heel to prevent slipping. The more cushions you add the tighter the shoe will fit. If the shoes are too small, avoid adding extra cushions! (back to the top)

Place Heavenly Heelz inside the heel area of shoe to help grip and prevent the heel from sliding off. Also works great with hosiery and will help prevent snags. (back to the top)

Place Killer Kushionz or Tip Toes to help grip and cushion the foot and prevent "ugly overhang".

Do your toes get scrunched when you wear pointy and open toe shoes? (back to the top)

Place Killer Kushionz or Tip Toes to help grip and cushion the foot and prevent "toe scrunch".

Place Strappy Strips inside the strap to help grip and prevent straps from sliding down. Also works great with hosiery. (back to the top)

Place Strappy Strips inside the straps to help absorb shock and eliminate friction, which cause blisters and irritation. (back to the top)

Place Heavenly Heelz on the top and underside to help grip and keep shoe on. (back to the top)

Place Sole Stopperz to the bottom of soles. The slip resistant, petal shaped traction will help you strut on wet or slick surfaces. (back to the top)

Place Haute Heelz on the bottom of heel area to eliminate pain while helping to prevent calluses from forming. (back to the top)

Place Killer Kushionz, Tip Toes or Haute Heelz to help grip and prevent feet from sliding. This open cell, high performance urethane is breathable and will help keep feet cool and dry. (back to the top)

Don't wear 100% cotton socks when working out, or walking long distance. It’s much better to wear a blend of cotton, nylon and spandex because the nylon will stay drier and the spandex will keep the shape. Cotton is breathable but with these additions you'll stay dry, sleek & chic - because nobody wants soggy soles! (back to the top)

To reduce the swelling of tired and achy feet, use a cool gel-formulated moisturizer. Massage into your feet after a long day. Place gel moisturizer in your refrigerator to keep cool. Slip on a pair of Petal Plusheez spa socks to lock in moisture! (back to the top)

Don't pull hosiery tightly across toes. Instead, leave at least ¼" of room at the front of the toes so that the toes can wiggle easily and are not bent after pulling on tights, socks or leg wear. It's also a good idea to pull hosiery away from toes before putting on shoes. You never want to interfere with the normal toe-grip action that is necessary to take a step and to walk well. There should always be at least a ¼" of extra length of sock at the end of toes - as your toes will naturally pull them tighter just by walking. (back to the top)

A "pump bump" is a big bump caused by constant pressure from a shoe cutting into the skin. They are usually found on the back of the heel, on or around the Achilles tendon, or on the top of the foot behind the toes where edge of pumps hit the foot.

To prevent pump bumps make sure the top line of the shoe isn't pressing against the heel tendon. Avoid buying shoes that feel tight in these areas by using these 2 simple "fitting rules:"

Rule #1 - You should be able to slip your pinky between the shoe and your foot at the back of the heel when you are sitting.

Rule #2 - You should also be able to slip your pinky in between your foot and the top of the shoe, just behind the toes.

If you cannot do these two things, then your new shoes will eventually cause too much pressure that could hurt, cut off circulation and possibly lead to blisters! At the end of the day when we feel so happy to kick off our shoes - that is the circulation that is cut off. You should never feel that way!

What to do if you already have "pump bumps"? Eliminate the cause by applying Foot Petals Haute Heelz into your shoes to raise or lift the heel and irritated area higher and away from the back of the shoe. Also, try applying Heavenly Heelz or Strappy Strips to ensure that the shoe fits snugly but stays on the foot and does not cut into tender areas.

If you have too tight shoes but cannot give them up, take them to a shoe repair shop and have them professionally stretched. (back to the top)

Do the "double pinky test!" We have all bought cute flats only to find that they are almost more uncomfortable than our high heels! Why?

Your foot moves differently in flats with each step. Flats allow your foot to fully spread out with each step. The arch is our natural, built-in spring (kind of like a built in shock absorber) and it absorbs 3-5 times our body weight with every step. To test this theory, sit down and trace your foot...then stand up and trace it. The difference is how much space you need inside your shoes.

Step #1 - When trying on flats, make sure that you can fit the tip of your pinky between the back of the shoe and your foot while sitting. That's how much space your toes will need to "spring forward"

Step #2 - Make sure that you can actually wiggle your toes inside the shoes. If your pinky toes is smashed, get a bigger size

Comfort Tip: To prevent feet from sliding around in shoes and to absorb the shock from these fabulous but often thin little shoes, add Killer Kushionz to the bottom and Heavenly Heelz to keep heels secure.

Why does this happen? In high heels, your toes will not "grow or spread" with each step because your foot will stretch out at least one full size. (back to the top)

Boots: To prevent feet from sliding forward in sexy boots this season, use Killer Kushionz - not only will they help to absorb shock to heels and balls of the feet but will also keep feet firmly in place, PORON also helps to keep feet dry. (back to the top)

Note: To prevent getting "boot snag" on your favorite tights or funky fishnets, place Strappy Strips along the top edge of boots, so they don't snag the calf area of your favorite leg wear.

Skinny calves? To get the "perfect fit" on knee length boots try placing Heavenly Heelz at the top edge of your boots to fill in the gap on calves - great for boots with dresses. (back to the top)

When you walk around your home do you feel relaxed, in control and surrounded by things you love and that reflect your life today? If not, then your home is probably being taken over by clutter.

Letting go of clutter can make your life flow so much more freely so that you have more time to enjoy yourself. (back to the top)

Clutter is things you no longer use or love. It’s things you liked ten years ago but your tastes have changed. It’s those gold shoes that you wore once and can’t bear to part with because they cost £100. It’s dead computers and TV’s. It’s piles of unopened junk mail and old newspapers. It’s hundreds of plastic water bottles and cardboard boxes that just might come in useful one day. It’s lipsticks that are finished or nail varnish that has dried. This is clutter. (back to the top)

Don’t panic. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and to walk away and relegate it to another day. Here’s some tips to help you on your way to creating harmony from chaos. (back to the top)

Procrastination is the major obstacle to decluttering. So start now. (back to the top)

Let’s say you decide to sort out your underwear and sock drawers. Set a timer for 15 minutes. Put on some upbeat music and you’re ready to go. First completely empty them and give them a quick clean. As you pick up each item ask yourself why am I keeping this.

Are you keeping old holey knickers and socks you no longer wear because they used to be your favourites? Either decide to mend them or let them go. If you find odd socks spend 10 minutes checking everywhere their mates might be – if you fail to find sock heaven its time to send the partners to meet them there. (back to the top)

Well done. You’ve made a great start. If you feel energized then keep going. But always work on one area at a time and finish it before you start somewhere else. Decide to do a set amount a day – but never too long. Remember one person’s clutter is another person’s treasure so get the rest of your family involved in sorting out their stuff too. (back to the top)

Once you have decided to let things go, it’s crucial to get them out of the house as soon as possible. Unwanted items can be given to charity, friends or family or recycled. Or you could sell them at a car boot sale or second hand clothes shop or advertise in your local newspaper. (back to the top)

As you put things in the bin or charity shop bag, you may feel great and feel a huge sense of relief. Or you may feel guilty that you are wasting money by throwing things away. You may also feel guilty that you are letting go of unwanted presents or baby clothes. I know many people feel it is wrong to ever discard a photo, even if it is blurred or brings back unhappy memories.

People are often scared that the minute they part with something they will need it and consequently hold onto copious junk. Believe me it takes a while to get used to a newly decluttered home.

All these feelings are a completely normal part of the decluttering process. They often stem from how our family responded to clutter. Many of us will come from families where hoarding is a common problem.

· Sentimental items. Be sentimental but selective. Choose a beautiful box in which to keep sentimental items. Keep a few cherished baby clothes and give the rest to someone who will use them. Put photos into albums only keeping the best ones and let the others go.

· Broken things. Give yourself a deadline for broken items to be fixed, if not discard them.

· Presents .If someone gives you an unwanted gift and there is no polite way to refuse, accept gracefully and respect the other person’s feelings. But remember it is your home and if you do not like something, it will drag your spirits down every time you look at it. So dump the guilt and let it go.

· Paper. Be ruthless with paper. Put junk mail straight into the recycling and decide how long you will keep newspapers. Most of us have kerbside recycling so on that day go though your house and gather up any newspapers read or unread. Remember no-one has time to read everything.

· Fear. The “what if” thoughts are some of the hardest to deal with. Sometimes called clutter thoughts. A friend recently bought a new kettle. Then the thought crept into her head, what if the new one breaks down. Perhaps I will keep the old one. A useful tip is “one in, one out”

If you really feel panicky about letting go of something then store it for 6 months in the loft or shed. Put the date on it. If you haven’t used it in 6 months then give it away. (back to the top)

Once you have decluttered and decided what to keep, then it’s time to look at storage. To maintain a clutter free home it is essential that everything has a home, so it’s easy to find. So store like with like, such as all vases together. We use 20% of our possessions 80% of the time so put this 20% in the most accessible places. Treat yourself to useful storage items such as a filing cabinet, clear shoe storage boxes or a pretty box in which to keep those sentimental items. (back to the top)

There are so many benefits to decluttering and letting go of old stuff. A more relaxing home where you can find things when you want them. Enjoy the lighter, happier feeling you get when you look around. Next time you indulge in a little retail therapy you’ll have a much clearer idea of what you own and what you actually need. (back to the top)