Need to learn how to get creases out of shoes? This guide quick will show you the best ways to get it done.
No matter how seriously you take your shoe game, we can all agree that creases can become unsightly and tarnish the crisp look that we prefer. They’re pretty difficult to avoid as simply walking will undoubtedly lead to creasing, no matter the shoe material.
Shoe repair and maintenance techniques have come a long way, and now there are multiple ways you can either minimize or eliminate creasing altogether.
Not all shoes are made the same, and some require a specific type of care, but you don’t have to accept defeat the moment you start to see a little creasing in your shoes. This article is going to break down how to get creases out of shoes, including step-by-step instructions to ensure the best possible outcome.
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How To Get Creases Out Of Shoes
What Tools Will You Need?
Making your shoes look good as new can be a tricky process, and it requires the right set of tools. Plus, there’s also more than one method to getting creases out of shoes.
Below is a brief list of the items you’ll need to remove creases from your shoes:
- Cloth
- Blowdryer
- Shoe conditioner or polish
- Iron
- Shoe tree
The two primary methods are with and without heat, both of which may provide varying results but have shown to make a difference nonetheless.
You can also minimize creases in your shoes by ensuring they’re a proper fit and made from durable, high-quality materials that can withstand a bit of wear and tear.
At the end of the day, if you’ve had your shoes long enough, getting a few creases is unavoidable, but we tested a few methods that seem to work the best.
Use Heat to Remove Creases Effectively
1. An Iron Is Your Best Bet
In a similar fashion to how we unwrinkle our clothes, you can use heat from an iron to remove creases from your shoes. Of course, irons can get pretty hot, so you want to be careful not to cause any burns or other damage.
Before you get to the iron, you’ll want to add inserts so your shoes retain their shape throughout the process. This works as a protective measure for the shoe’s integrity while giving you a clear view of each crease from every angle.
You don’t want to leave much room for the shoes to adjust, so if the inserts don’t fill them out enough, feel free to fill them out with some newspaper, parchment paper, styrofoam, anything that’ll help the shoes keep their shape.
Once you’re ready to move forward with the iron, it’s imperative that you don’t press the iron directly onto the material itself, as that can easily damage the shoe. Take a thin cloth, make sure it’s damp but not dripping, and lay it over a crease. If you feel the towel is too thin, don’t hesitate to fold it until you feel comfortable.
Gently iron over the towel in increments of 5-10 seconds, and consistently check the crease after each interval. You should start to see the crease alleviate and lose its form. Once you’re satisfied with the results, you can stop ironing, but you want to keep the inserts in the shoes to keep the shape of the shoe as firm as possible.
2. Use Steam to Remove Creases
This is another method of applying heat and moisture to soften up the creases on shoes. More specifically, this method is best suited for leather shoes as they can be pretty sensitive compared to other materials.
You can either dampen a cloth with steaming hot water or throw a damp towel in a microwave to create the same effect. Lightly rub the steaming towel along the crease, and after a few tries, you should start to see a difference. It’s essential to have a shoe tree inserted; otherwise, the hot steam could affect the shoe’s shape.
This method is a little more tedious since you don’t have the consistent heat of an iron, but it’s the safest and most effective way to remove creases from leather shoes.
3. Use a Blow-Dryer
Although this may not be as effective or time-efficient, the heat from a blow-dryer can still successfully remove creases from shoes without causing any damage. Before you get started, don’t forget to have an insert in your shoes, and you can even use shoe trees made of cedar as they won’t retain any heat from the blow-dryer.
You want to keep the blow-dryer on a low heat setting and make sure it stays at least 10 inches away from the shoe. Run a couple of passes down the crease line, turn off the blow-dryer, and temporarily set it to the side.
While the shoe material is still hot, firmly press along the crease line with your thumb. Once you repeat this process a few more times, you should start to see the definition of the creases fade away.
How To Avoid Getting Creases
As mentioned above, you can avoid getting creases in your shoes by making sure they’re made from reliable, high-quality materials. Other than that, it’s up to you to invest in the daily care that’s required to keep your shoes in pristine condition. Using tools such as shoe trees or inserts will significantly benefit your shoe’s integrity when you’re not wearing them.
For more sensitive materials such as leather, there are actually specifics oils and conditioners that you can use to work out those unsavory creases. The formulations for these products can be fairly potent, so always make sure to read their directions. Once you’re removing the creases, keep the leather looking new with a good polish, and you’re good to go.
To Wrap It Up
Creases in your shoes don’t have to be their permanent look, and although you can’t avoid them entirely, there’s plenty you can do to ensure they look their best at all times. Some materials wear faster than others, but each method listed in this article is a viable option for a wide range of shoe types.
No matter which method you choose, always be gentle as heat can damage your shoes if it’s not done correctly. If you’re looking for how to get creases out of shoes, this article has all of the equipment and safety tips you need.
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