Take the best care of your safety footwear.
These essential tips will keep your safety footwear in top notch condition, ensuring longevity and comfort.
1. Ideally, have two pairs of work boots. Because leather absorbs moisture very well, footwear needs up to 24 hours to release the perspiration they soak up from your feet. Alternating work boots will allow each pair to rest before they are put to work again, extending the life of both pairs.
2. Always polish your boots regularly with a commercial leather cream or polish, including on the day of purchase. Do not use the synthetic squeegee type bottles with the sponge end. A good polish will be readily absorbed and will nourish and restore flexibility in the leather, keeping it supple and moisturized.
3. Your work environment will determine how often your boots will need care. If you work in an arid environment, polish every two weeks. If you work in sand or on construction sites, polish once a week. If you wear your work boots part time, polish once a month.
4. Safety footwear also requires daily care. Wipe off your shoes regularly to remove excess dirt and grime on the upper. A soiled upper will not be able to breathe, and will trap moisture and perspiration in the boot. Remove thick mud with a brush, warm water and neutral soap. Remove excess mud or dirt from the sole by brushing .
5. Boots not only require regular cleaning, but also need regular waterproofing. We recommend that you waterproof your boots prior to first use and then regularly, depending on wear and cleaning. As a rough rule of thumb, re-treat after the boot was exposed to water on 2-3 occasions. Spray around the boot, where the leather meets the sole, from a distance of 20-30 cm.
6. Always remove the laces before removing your boots or shoes. Do not try and turn it into a slip-on. The constant pressure applied to the back of the boot may cause the upper to loosen from the sole. Allow the boot to dry “internally” overnight – open the tongue as far forward as possible and remove the top-sock/insole. Your feet sweat 200 ml per day.
7. Never force-dry footwear. When placing your work boots near a heat source such as fire, a heater or even outside in the sun, the heat will distort the upper and cause the leather to crack. Loosen the tongue and laces and remove the insole. Crumple newspaper into balls and jam them into the boot to absorb the excess moisture overnight.
8. Never throw “foot powder” into the boot. Foot powder is for feet! Powder inside the boot can become a paste (when mixed with sweat) and will trap air flow, reducing the breathability of the leather – thereby increasing the temperature inside the boot.
9. Never leave the biodegradable PU soles in an unventilated, dark environment for long periods (over 24 months), to prevent hydrolysis.
10. Try to avoid deliberately scuffing the upper leather, treading on sharp edges that can cut the sole and walking/working in excess water for long time periods.
Proudly brought to you by Basson Workwear and Profit Safety Footwear.
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