If you buy a high quality pair of leather shoes, you know that they come with a high quality lining too. However, with daily usage, the lining starts to wear away, at a faster rate than the rest of the shoes. Thus, in this short post, we are going to look at how to fix peeling shoe lining.
Just because the lining wears out, it does not mean that it is time to hang up your boots (literally).
Can the lining of your shoes be repaired? There are some ways to fix the worn out lining of your shoes. You can even replace all of it for extra comfort and padding. With a few items such as masking tape, thread, needles, fabric and water-based gum, you can fix your shoes lining.
Just as you do when cleaning your Doc Martens, the method that you will take to repair your shoe lining depends on a few things and one of them is the material of the footwear. The type of footwear also matters a lot.
Keep reading to see a few methods that you can use to repair your shoes peeling lining and the most important things you should know.
Why do shoes peel in storage?
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Knowing how to repair peeling lining in shoes is important. However, it is more important to know what causes the peeling in the first place so that you can prevent it. As they say, prevention is better than cure.
High humidity makes shoes peel
When you keep shoes in storage, many things can happen and they can destroy the shoes. For instance, if the closet has too high humidity, your shoes are likely to sustain some damage.
First, the shoes will develop mold. Mold thrives in dark, warm and humid places. Mold does not even care about the material used on the shoes. For instance, it can grow on fabric shoes, on leather, suede and nubuck leather shoes.
Secondly, high humidity can make the shoes start peeling, in the lining! When they are in storage, shoes can peel in the exterior as well as in the interior.
To control the indoor humidity, you will need to increase airflow into the shoe storage area. You can also buy a small humidifier for the closet and keep the indoor humidity level at 30 to 50 percent.
When the moisture gets into any minimal space between the lining and the upper, the problem becomes worse!
If the fibers of the material making the lining start to absorb water, they swell, they become weak and they start to break. That is how the lining starts to fall apart.
Too dry air
While high humidity is bad for your shoes, low humidity, or the air being too arid is also bad for your shoes.
Leather shoes are especially affected because to retain their flexibility and suppleness, leather has its own moisture content. However, exposure to very dry air causes the leather to lose this moisture, leaving it dehydrated and soon after, it starts peeling.
Direct sunlight
Exposure to direct sunlight also has a nasty effect on shoes. It makes them to start peeling. That is why you should always ensure that the shoes are kept in a dark place in the right humidity level and at room temperature.
Using the wrong product on your shoes
Finally, we must also discuss the types of products that you use on your leather shoes. If you use the wrong conditioner when taking the shoes to storage, it can cause the leather to start peeling. Thus, for leather footwear, we recommend you use mink oil for their maintenance.
Friction between the feet and the lining
If you lace your shoes too tight, the friction that the skin and the shoes lining generate can cause the lining to start peeling away.
How do you fix a worn shoe lining?’
Now, we have ascertained that it is possible to repair the worn out lining of shoes. We are now going to discuss the how, the ways to repair your shoes lining.
Most people ask: Can the inside lining of shoes be repaired? And the answer is a resounding yes. You do not even need to take the shoes to a cobbler. You can repair the worn out lining at home.
If you have leather boots or shoes, they will most likely have a fine leather lining on the inside. This lining can get worn out and if that happens, replace or repair it.
To do your repair on the lining, here are is the step by step process:
Step 1: determine whether it is worth it to repair the lining
Like any other repair job, if the shoe lining is worn out due to the age of the shoes, perhaps it is just best not to repair it. If the exterior of the shoes is worn out and so is the interior, it is time to buy a new pair. If it is just the lining that is worn out, you can repair it.
Step 2: Gather the things you will need
You will need a pair of scissors, fabric (leather specifically made for lining shoes interior), water-based gum, masking tape, nails, hammer, cardboard, thread and needles.
Step 3: Clean the shoes
You should never do any sort of repair on your shoes when they are dirty. First, remove shoelaces and the insoles.
Secondly, remove the superficial dirt, the stuck-on dirt and then wipe the exterior of the leather boots with a damp piece of cloth.
Also, clean the soles and let the shoes dry before working on them. You will handle the shoes a lot and if they are dirty, they will stain your clothes.
Step 4: Remove the worn out lining carefully
You should remove the old lining keenly, even if you do not intend to return it. That way, you will copy it on the new material and create a new lining. If you will repair it, you need it intact so that you can return it in one piece.
Once removed, keep it aside.
Step 5: Use the masking tape on the area that you are repairing
Try to flatten out the old lining. You can then apply masking tape on the area that needs repair. Apply the masking tape generously. Try to flatten the lining as much as possible.
Step 6: Cut the patch that you need from your fabric
Take your scissors and cut the leather or cotton fabric according to your needs. You can cut a slightly bigger part so that you can trim it later depending on your needs.
Step 7: Glue the patch on the worn out area
Take the patch and apply the shoe adhesive of your choice. You can then patch the affected area. Depending on the adhesive that you are using, you might have to apply it on both the old lining and the patch.
Apply it on the peeled part or on the part with the hole. You can also give both materials time to get ready for sticking.
Glue the patch over the area that you are repairing and then press the two materials together as much as possible. By this time, you have already removed the masking tape that you had applied over the worn out area.
Step 8: Return the lining into the shoes
You will have to use the lining of the shoes after repairing it. You can apply a fine layer of shoe adhesive on the lining before returning it. You have to be careful when returning the lining. You can use your hands to place it inside carefully. Also, try to pry the shoes wider to make your work easier.
Step 9: Give the shoes time to dry
Let the shoes air-dry for a few hours so that the new lining can set. Also, this is going to help to dissipate the smell of the shoe adhesive. You can then store your shoes to wait for the next time you will wear them.
If your insoles are worn out and they are peeling, you can use the same technique to repair them. It is not too hard if you have the time and repairing the peeling lining will give your shoes a new lease of life.
Can the inside lining of shoes be repaired?
Yes, you can repair worn out lining. Most people wonder whether replacing the entire lining is better than repairing it. However, the best thing to do is to repair the place that has peeled away or that has developed holes.
We have outlined the process that you can use to repair the worn out lining. The most important thing is to choose the right material. This can be a leather or cotton fabric.
Final thoughts on how to fix peeling shoe lining
Peeling lining does not necessarily spell the end of your lovely boots or shoes. Once you check the shoes and see that they are repairable, go ahead and do it.
If you see that the lining is too worn out, you can choose to replace it in its entirety. This is not too hard. You just need the time, and the materials. You can even use the lining of an old pair of shoes for repair if it is in good condition.