Have You Made These Common Mistakes That Damage Your Shoes?

Previously, we mentioned that many everyday habits—such as soaking shoes in water, exposing them to direct sunlight, drying them on radiators, using strong solvents, or scrubbing the edges with hard brushes—may seem like proper shoe care, but they actually harm your shoes. Today, we’re going to cover some actions that can “kill” your shoes by causing irreversible damage to the shoe glue. Keep reading—you might just realize that you’re “murdering” your shoes right now.

Mistake #1: Leaving shoes in the trunk or on the balcony during summer
For convenience, many people stuff their shoes in the car trunk or toss them into a balcony storage cabinet when seasons change or after work.
Why is it wrong? In summer, the temperature inside a car or an enclosed balcony can reach 60–70°C (140–158°F). Prolonged exposure to such high heat accelerates glue aging. The heat softens and deforms the glue over the long summer, and then winter makes it hard, brittle, and inelastic. After just a few months, the sole may peel off with a gentle twist.
Correct practice: Shoes should be stored in a cool, well-ventilated, dark place. For off-season shoes, put them in breathable shoe boxes and store them on the bottom shelf of an indoor shoe cabinet or under the bed. Never let them “sauna.”

Mistake #2: Not loosening the laces and crushing the heel to wear shoes as slippers
A while back, it was popular to collapse the heel and wear shoes like slippers, or after work, people would just stomp the heel down to kick off their shoes. Have you noticed that after a while, the heel becomes crooked and misshapen?
Why is it wrong? Every time you crush the heel, you repeatedly bend the area where the sole meets the upper in a tearing motion. This physical damage is more direct than soaking or sun exposure. The glue gets torn apart again and again, and many shoe heels come unglued precisely because of this habit.
Correct practice: When putting on shoes, loosen the laces first and use your hand or a shoehorn to lift the heel. When taking off shoes, also use your hands to assist—don’t step on the heels with your other foot.

Mistake #3: Fixing shoes with super glue (502) or all-purpose glue
When a small gap appears in the sole, many people grab household super glue (like 502) or strong all-purpose glue, squeeze it into the gap, press it down, and think the shoe is fixed.
Why is it wrong? 502 is a rigid instant glue that hardens like glass. Since the sole bends repeatedly, the repair will crack in just a few days. Moreover, hard glue damages the existing soft glue layer, causing even the parts that were still bonded to fail completely. All-purpose glue often contains strong solvents that can corrode certain sole materials.
Correct practice: Use a specialized soft glue. Before applying, clean off the old glue residue. After applying, let it dry for 5–10 minutes, then press firmly and let it sit undisturbed for at least 24 hours. Patience and the right glue are the keys to a durable repair.