However, I don’t love when my pricey shoes end up with broken heels, scuff marks, floppy soles, or broken straps and I have to take them out of rotation. But since I never discard shoes, I’ve created a little DIY repair kit to clean up and do minor repairs at home.
Safety First
Shoe cobblers don’t exist only in fairy tales. They can help take care of broken shoes when the repair is too extensive to attempt yourself. Trying to fix a broken heel with some superglue could land you sprawled on the sidewalk, so when it comes to major structural repairs, check your area for a professional cobbler.
Only attempt repairs yourself when it’s a minor cosmetic flaw. Your efforts combined with those of a good cobbler will extend the life of your shoes, and help you save money by keeping your favorite heels in steady rotation.
DIY Shoe Repair Tricks
Try some of the following quick fixes for minor problems, and then find your own shoe cobbler to take care of bigger issues.
1. Scuff Marks
On black leather, scuff marks are easy to camouflage. I’ve been using a black permanent marker to fix up scuff marks for the past 10 years. But this fix can work for any colored shoe as long as you can find a permanent marker that matches. Simply color in the scuff mark, dab with a tissue, and reapply. Do this a few times to make the fix water-resistant.
If your scuffed shoe is white, you’ll need to do a little more work. Cosmetic scuff marks can be taken off using a regular white art eraser. But if the shoes are torn, you’ll need to apply white-out to remedy the problem.
2. Floppy Soles
I have this amazing pair of white moccasins that I love to wear. Probably for this reason, the sole became detached from the bottom of the shoe. I definitely didn’t want to trash the shoes, so I headed to the craft store for some strong waterproof glue.
If you have a similar issue, peel back the floppy sole, clean it of any debris, and fill in between the sole and the bottom with a strong glue. Use a Popsicle stick or other flat implement to spread the glue evenly across the bottom – you definitely don’t want the glue to harden and create uncomfortable bumps. Then, press the two pieces together and allow to dry for 24 hours before you wear them. The bottom should be bonded and water-tight once you take to the streets.
3. Broken Strap
A heavy-duty sewing machine can punch right through the leather of a sandal strap. But if you don’t have one, hand stitch the broken strap back in place with a needle and thread, and make sure the thread color matches your shoe color.
Unfortunately, this fix is going to be apparent to anyone who takes a close look. In order to solve this problem, you’ll need to add accessories. I snapped a couple of cheap flower hair clips over the repaired strap, and my shoes now look like a new pair with a bit of flair. Plus, I don’t have to walk around nervous that anyone will notice my repair job. This could also work with ribbons or vintage brooches.
4. Old Leather
If your budget is tight and you can’t justify more clothes shopping, you need your current wardrobe to hold its own. Pumps, flats, and dressier leather boots respond really well to a quick coat of leather polish. Squirt a dime-sized amount onto a microfiber cloth and buff directly onto your shoes. Keep buffing until the shoe is completely dry.
If you’re in a pinch and don’t have leather polish handy, try baby wipes. I use them to polish up patent on the fly. Just don’t use them on suede or untreated leather – they’ll leave unsightly marks.
Final Word
It’s pretty rare for a shoe to be so damaged that it’s completely unfixable. Throwing out broken shoes throws your money directly in the trash. Instead, work to fix the problem or find someone who can keep you in your favorite heels for years to come.
What do you do to keep your shoes in the best shape?
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