12 Best Shoe Protector Sprays in 2021

Buying Guide Questions

What to spray on shoes to protect them? Is a shoe guard the same thing?

To protect your shoes, you need to apply shoe protector sprays. They are designed to protect your shoes from damage in the form of scratches, dirt. Shoe protector spray is specially formulated mixtures and compounds that form a thin invisible membrane on your shoes for protection. Some shoe protector sprays even block UV rays from reaching the shoes and damaging it. If you have severe cuts or rips in the shoes, then shoe glue would be your best best to repair them, once they are fully dry you can spray them with one of these protector sprays.

Shoe guards are fitted on your footwear to offer it some form of protection. They are made from different types of materials, and they can be fitted on indoor footwear or work shoes. The materials shoe guards are made from are polyethylene, polypropylene, rubber, aluminized fabric, silicone, rubber, and leather. Each of the materials has its peculiarities.

As you can see, the shoe protector is distinct from the shoe guard. One is fluid, while the other is solid. The shoe protector is sprayed on the shoes, while the shoe guard is worn over the shoe.

When you want to get a shoe protector spray, there are certain features to look out for, even though shoe protector sprays seem straightforward enough. The quantity and the quality of your chosen shoe protector spray are very important. Go for products of high quality because you may end up spending a fortune on an ineffective shoe protector if you don’t get quality products. Apply the protector spray to your shoe, check if it holds up well against water, and other staining fluids; if it does hold up, then it is of high quality, however, if it doesn’t get another one.

Another thing to contemplate is whether or not the shoe protector spray is intended for use on the type of material you want to use it on. Some shoe protectors can work well on certain types of material and fail on others. If you have a fabric material you’ll like to waterproof, the shoe protector spray you have may not work well on it because they are usually made for materials commonly used to make footwear. Be sure to confirm if the shoe protector spray will work so as not to damage your footwear; some sprays are made from or contain substances that may cause damage to your shoes.

Odor and discoloration are also important things to consider. The chemicals used to create shoe protector sprays often have an unpleasant smell to them. These chemicals should also not be inhaled, so be sure to use it in a properly aired area as it will reduce the odor and amount of chemicals you’ll inhale. You may want to use a respirator mask when applying the shoe protector spray, especially if it is aerosol, and you’re in a poorly ventilated area. As for discoloration, a lot of shoe protector spray will alter the color of your material. The chemicals used to make the spray often forms a yellow film on shoes; as such, test the spray first on an inconspicuous area to avoid irreversible damage.

Finally, consider how much of the protector do you have to apply to achieve desirable results, and how long the effects will last on your shoes. Some shoe protector sprays have to the applied multiple times before they can offer any form of protection, while some are effective on the first application. It all depends on how the spray was formulated. Shoe protector sprays don’t last forever on your footwear, they become ineffective after a while, so you need to reapply them to keep protection your shoes. Reapplication time will vary from person to person to the claims of the manufacturer due to differences in the use of footwear and other conditions. It is advised that you apply the protector once you notice that it is failing to protect your footwear.

What to spray on white shoes to keep clean?

White shoes need a more meticulous approach of care than other colors of shoes because stains, dirt, and marking are easily spotted. The clear thing to do is to get a shoe protector spray that doesn’t discolor your shoes, and any discoloration will be visible. Go for shoe sprays designed to repel dirt, oil stains, can resist coffee stains too, and various chemical substances that will damage the footwear.

Always remember that it’s better to avoid dirtying your white shoes altogether. Immediately you lay your hands on the new white shoes, and it is advised that you apply some shoe protector spray on it immediately; this will do wonders for its lifespan. Although no matter how careful you are, your white shoes will still get dirty or damaged by water, sun, or even scuffed. Scuffing is a very common thing that happens to shoes and is even more apparent on white shoes, similar to the ones you would see nurses wear in a hospital; as such, shoe protector sprays that will prevent scuffing should be applied to the white shoes. You can also get erasers that wipe away scuffs to keep your white shoes clean.

Once you notice any dirt, stain, or scuffs on your white shoes, wipe them out immediately before it sits into the fabric, and the damage becomes irreversible. Use cleaning agents made especially for the type of material your shoes are made off and don’t scup too hard as this may cause scratches and damage the shoes. Spot clean with a paper towel.

The sun is known to turn yellow some types of white rubber, so ensure your white shoes are protected from sunlight. Use shoe protector sprays that block out ultraviolet rays to keep your white shoes white. You can clean the shoes with water, mild soap, and a soft brush, or you can make a homemade white shoe cleaner using hydrogen peroxide, Oxyclean, and corn-starch.

Avoid washing your white shoes in a washer and dryer as this can damage the shoes. The dryer subjects the shoes to heat, which will often turn white shoes yellow, and also lessen the lifespan of the shoes. Store your white shoes properly, keep them in shoe boxes or shoe bags to prevent dust from settling on them.

If your white shoes are mesh, you shouldn’t use bleach on them because the bleach can breakdown the mesh material.

Can Hairspray protect shoes? Does it work on white shoes? If not, Is that a myth?

The ideal way to protect your shoes is to use a shoe protector spray. There’s a lot of DIYs claiming hairsprays can protect your shoes, but you need to understand that it can also stain your shoes. If you scuff your patent leather shoes or your volleyball shoes, hairsprays may be able to get the marks out, but ultimately, it is better to have protected your shoe earlier with a shoe protector spray. There are tough scuffs that Hairspray will not be able to handle. To use Hairspray to get rid of scuff marks on patent leather, get a piece of cloth, and apply the spray to it. Take the marked shoe and gently rub the cloth dampened with oil on the scuff for about a minute.

If you’re wondering if Hairspray can protect your suede shoes, the answer is no. Hairspray can’t protect your suede shoes from damage, and they are not designed to do that. Shoe protector sprays for suede are chemically engineered for suede shoes, using hairsprays on suede is a waste of time and money. Hairspray may even cause damage to your suede shoes, as such stick to shoe protector sprays made for suede footwear.

If you have a white pair of shoes you want to protect, get a shoe protector spray that works well with the type of material used to construct your shoes.

Hairsprays can make the polish on your shoes last longer. It helps the color set in and gives it a fresh and shiny look.

Does waterproof shoe spray work? How?

Waterproof shoe sprays are the best way to protect your footwear from water damage, especially if the shoes are not waterproof like hiking boots. There are various waterproof sprays, and some even offer more than waterproofing, they prevent stains on the material your shoe is made from polyethylene

Waterproof sprays create a hydrophobic membrane on the surface of the material. The spray fills up pores in the material, thereby preventing water from seeping through it. Waterproofing your shoes will make sure water doesn’t get into your footwear no matter what. Waterproofing is often a quality shoe possess right from the manufacture, and it’s almost impossible for shoe protector sprays can give you 100% waterproofing, but for example with steel toe boots, they will do an amazing job of creating a layer of protection on the worksite.

Water-resistance, just as the name implies, means the material will be able to resist a certain amount of liquid. Most shoe protectors that offer protection from water are usually water-resisting. Water resisting shoe protector spray usually reduces the breathability of footwear, so you need to put this into consideration.

Water repellent protects your shoes from low levels of exposure to water. Water-repelling protector spray will cause water beads to form on your footwear so you can remove it before it’s soaked up.

Shoe protector sprays are meant to protect your shoes from damage from various sources. They protect footwear and various other items from stains, oils, and damage from salt, and some are made to protect your shoes from scuffing.

Your shoes can be damaged if it gets exposed to salt. Shoes damaged by salt usually have some form of discoloration, cracking of the materials. If you work in an area where you’re around a lot of oily substances, get a spray that will protect your shoes from oil damage.

Can you waterproof mesh running shoes?

The simple and short answer is yes, you can waterproof mesh running shoes. However, there are different ways of waterproofing shoes. A fair amount of running shoes are already waterproof. The mesh and uppers are made from GoreTex, a special waterproof membrane.

Depending on the type of material the running shoes are made off, the size of your wallet, and just how effective you want the waterproofing to be, there are different options available to you. The instant thing that comes to mind is to use a spray that gives your shoes some form of protection against water.

Waterproof sprays can be used on different types of materials. However, to be certain, it’s suitable for your shoes, check the labels on the spray. Usually, waterproof sprays make water roll off shoes, but since its mesh and there are little pores in it, not all sprays will work well. To waterproof mesh running shoes, what you need is a silicone-based waterproof shoe spray. The silicone-based spray blocks the little pores in the mesh. There’s a major downside to waterproofing mesh running shoes, and that is, it cuts down breathability, which is the essence of using a mesh in creating the shoes in the first place.

Another way of waterproofing is to use wax. Get wax or candles, and rub the wax all over the shoes to cover it completely. Make sure it doesn’t have dyes or color because they will stain your shoes. Remove all dirt from the surface of your shoes before application. Before covering your shoes in wax, test it out on a small portion to see how it looks.

You can wear waterproof socks if the two methods are not suitable for you. Waterproof socks have a coating on them that resists water, preventing water from reaching your feet. The waterproof socks will offer you more protection than shoes when it comes to rain because it covers more areas of your leg than shoes.

What is the best suede shoe protector?

Not all shoe protector spray work on suede. Some are designed for just leather, while some cater to both leather and suede. Some shoe protector spray can even be used for all types of materials, especially bowling shoes as they would have marks from the bowling balls.

The best suede shoe protector will provide your shoe with waterproofing, stain, and dirt resisting capabilities. Also, it should not alter the color by making it lighter or even changing the color entirely. If your suede is fading, it is advisable to get a shoe protector made specifically to restore the color on fading shoes. You can even use some of these sprays on Birkenstock sandals or other high quality sandals.

When you want to protect your suede shoes, you first remove the stains with a suede eraser and brush the shoes lightly with a soft bristle brush to remove the dirt on it. Spray the shoes with the product, apply multiple coats as directed by the manufacturer of the product, and you may even add more at your discretion. Leave the shoes to allow the spray to cure for the specified duration.

Some suede protector spray often rejuvenates dull-colored shoes that are already fading. Good suede protectors don’t cause color bleed or stain other materials in the suede shoe. Place a rag inside the shoe or even use a shoe stretcher to push it outwards, however, as a cautionary to prevent the spray from getting inside the shoe.

Before you apply shoe protector sprays to suede shoes, always ensure that the shoes are dry as it will allow the spray to penetrate the material and give you the best result properly.

If you want the best suede protector spray, you should test some of the products and see which you prefer, or which works best on your particular suede shoes. Apply a little to a hidden part of the suede so you can judge and detect any adverse effect the spray may have on the shoe. It will save you time that you’ll use to clean the shoe to remove it or prevent permanent damage to your suede shoes. You can check out the Saphir Medaille d’Or Suede Renovateur spray as it is formulated especially for suede.

Conclusion

Ensure your shoes are clean before application of the spray, wash the laces of the shoes, and the shoes themselves if they can be washed with water; refer to the cleaning details supplied by the manufacturer. Apply a little bit of the spray on a non-conspicuous part of the shoe to check whether it discolors the footwear because it won’t be nice for you to spray your premium shoes only to have them damaged.

Insider Tip: can you use shoe protector sprays for flat feet shoes or is there a risk of damage? Yes you can!

Confirm if the particular spray you chose is suitable for the material. Silicone-based sprays usually leave a thin visible residue on your shoes, which doesn’t look aesthetic.

Some sprays last for months, while others last for a few days or weeks, so be sure to weigh this in your decision making. Consider the environmental and health impact the spray has.

Some shoe protector sprays may contain CFCs, which is not good for the environment, go for biodegradable protector sprays. Ensure the shoe spray you opt for is safe for use indoors if you’ll be using it in the house, especially in poorly ventilated rooms. If you have kids and pets, you should consider how safe it is to use the spray around them. Due to all these, it is advisable to get non-toxic shoe protector sprays. The shoe spray may have an unpleasant smell, so be sure to check.

Consider the ease of application of the protector spray. Some shoe protector sprays drastically reduce the breathability of shoes, so be sure to consider that. Certain types of sprays, particularly silicone-based shoe protector spray, tends to reduce the flexibility of shoes.