WARM, DRY FEET NEEDED FOR GOOD HEALTH

Press, Volume C, Issue 29499, 28 April 1961, Page 2

WARM, DRY FEET NEEDED FOR GOOD HEALTH

“Well hatted, well gloved and .well shod, is well dressed” is an old French proverb, and one that certainly, if followed to the letter, makes winter living more comfortable, says the home science extension of the department of adult education of the University of Otago. Well shod is perhaps the most important consideration. Warm, dry feet at all times are necessary to good health and efficiency. Years ago men and women alike, for winter wear, wore a reasonably solid weight welted shoe. Ninety per cent, of men’s shoes are still constructed in this way, but because of high-fashion trends women’s shoes are moving away from the welted sole.

.In New Zealand, as overseas, women are wearing high-fashion shoes winter and summer alike; but in the winter an overshoe of plastic is used to protect the shoe and avoid wet feet.

High-fashion shoes, because of their construction and dyes, require special care to preserve their life and appearance. Light - coloured shoes are mostly aniline dyed. The leather is dyed and not covered with a pigment-con-taining finish as previously. These aniline dyes are sensitive to staining and require proper care if they are to keep their looks. Always apply polish before a first wearing, and froih then

on, build up a continuous wax film over the surface of the leather. There are special creams for aniline leathers and these must be applied quickly, evenly and sparingly. Avoid applying the polish in blobs, as this will cause stains. It is best to smear the polish on with a soft clean cloth. Allow to dry before polishing. Even with such care, over a period of time, there is a darkening in the colour. In wet weather, these shoes should be protected by a plastic overshoe, as water marks them very easily; once this has happened there is no simple way to treat them. But if the stains are not severe, persistent swabbing with a diluted detergent will help. Care of Suede

Suede shoes are more suitable for indoor or dry conditions, as they should not be allowed to become wet or muddy. If this does happen, use a little soap and water judiciously, allow to dry, and brush carefully. If stained, use a fine sandpaper, and if the stain is grease or oil, use a grease solvent.

For normal care use a liquid or powder suede cleaner in the desired colour. If the nap needs restoring, the suede can be steamed over a kettle and then brushed with a suede brush. The sale of walking shoes is decreasing, but everyone

surely still has a stout leather shoe for golf, hiking, and a winter’s walk down a coun-! try road. For winter shoes, i weight is essential for good | protection. Those with welted; soles are the best construction. There is no such thing! as a completely water-proof shoe, because the construction would be so complicated that it would be too expensive. But with the right care a walking shoe can be made reasonably proof. For country service, dubbin is a preservative which contains animal 1 fat, and applied regularly and well polished will ensure winter comfort for the feet. Dubbin should be applied by hand and well rubbed in! with the fingers, if a shiny finish is desired. Men’s shoes require the same care as women’s. Build up a protective surface with several thin coatings well polished. The wax polish should be rubbed into the stitching, and in some countries they also wax the soles. One recent overseas magazine reports that in England there is now a dressing available which for a few shillings will waterproof shoes. It will! be worth watching for this product to come on the market here. Good Shoe Care Good shoe wear comes from good shoe care. Proper care of footwear, coupled with an intelligent selection means a reduction in shoe bills and keeps the feet neatly and serviceably shod. Always observe the following points:— Have several pairs of shoes for daily wear, and rotate their wear. Then each will last longer. Shoe trees help to keep shoes in their original shape. Where the toes are not blocked, as in less expensive shoes, keep the toes stuffed with a small pad of cotton wool. Polish new shoes before wearing, and avoid wearing for the first time in wet weather. If shoes do become wet, do not dry near direct heat, as this makes the leather hard and stiff. Stuff the shoes with dry paper and place in a cool airy place to dry. Repair shoes at the first sign of wear. Run-down heels look bad, and throw the feet off balance. The subsequent repairs cost far more than a! heel tip. Efficient shoe repairs and good shoe care will give you good looks and better service.