When and how often should you use waterproof spray? A shoe fitter explains the correct way to use it
Have you ever thought, "My socks got wet even though I used waterproof spray"?
Have you ever had that experience?
When the rainy season arrives, the number of people buying waterproof spray increases dramatically.
However, in my 17 years of working in shoe retail, I have come to realize that
how you use waterproof spray is more important than which product you choose
is the key.
In the actual retail environment, I have often seen cases where people:
"Sprayed it quickly in the morning and wore the shoes immediately"
"Sprayed it while the shoes were still dirty"
"Only used it once when they first bought the shoes"
I have seen these cases often.
With these methods, the product cannot perform to its full potential.
If used correctly, waterproof spray offers benefits such as:
making shoes less likely to get wet on rainy days
making it harder for dirt and dust to stick to the shoes
making it easier to clean the shoes even if they do get dirty
helping to maintain the performance of materials like Gore-Tex
ultimately helping your shoes last longer
These are the benefits.
Moreover, just by changing how you use it slightly, the effectiveness can change significantly.
What I particularly emphasize is
letting it dry completely after spraying
that is.
It is not uncommon for the water-repellent effect to differ depending on whether or not you take this extra step.
In this article, I will explain
when you should apply waterproofing spray
how many times you should apply it
the correct way to use it
points to note for different materials
common mistakes I often saw in retail
from the perspective of a shoe fitter with 20 years of experience in the footwear industry.
If you want to make the rainy season a little more comfortable, please use this as a reference.
*As an Amazon Associate, HAYA @ Shoe Fitter earns income from qualifying purchases.
Conclusion of this article
If you want to maximize the effect of waterproofing spray,
1. Spray it while the shoes are new
2. Use it after removing dirt
3. Spray evenly from a distance of 20-30cm
4. Wear them only after they have dried completely
These four points are important.
Point 4 in particular is surprisingly easy to overlook.
Rather than "It's raining now, so I'll spray it and wear it immediately,"
it is often the case that
"spraying it the night before and letting it dry overnight"
makes it easier to feel the waterproofing effect.
When should you apply waterproofing spray?
Waterproofing spray is
often thought of as "something to use because it has started raining."
However, my opinion is a little different.
Waterproofing spray is
not something you use after getting wet, but something you prepare before getting wet.
not something you use after getting wet, but something you prepare before getting wet
is what it is.
It is recommended to apply it while the shoes are new.
What I would like to recommend most is
to spray it once before you start wearing the shoes
is what I recommend.
Some new shoes come with a certain degree of water-repellent treatment.
However, that effect is not permanent.
In particular,
Canvas sneakers
Mesh sneakers
Children's shoes
School shoes
and similar items feel much safer if you apply waterproof spray to them first.
When I buy new shoes, I often apply waterproof spray to them first.
Apply it the day before a rainy forecast
This is also extremely important.
I believe that the best way to achieve its intended effect is to
apply it the day before
it is needed.
This is because waterproof spray is
more effective after it has completely dried
than immediately after spraying.
Personally, if the forecast says it will rain tomorrow, I often apply it the night before.
Then, I let it dry thoroughly overnight before wearing them.
Apply it to everything before the rainy season begins
This is what I personally recommend.
I apply it to my
commuter shoes
Sneakers
Children's shoes
and other items are sometimes sprayed all at once.
Once the rainy season begins,
"It will be raining tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow too"
becomes a more frequent occurrence.
When that happens, it can be difficult to find the time to let them dry completely.
That is why it is reassuring to prepare them on a day when you have some spare time.
Use it after removing dirt
If you spray it while mud or dust is still attached, it will not be able to perform as intended.
In my case,
I at least brush them before spraying.
For leather shoes, use a cleaner.
For sneakers, wipe them lightly with a damp cloth.
Even just doing that will change how effective you feel it is.
The correct way to apply waterproof spray
1. First, remove any dirt
If you spray over dirt, it will be difficult for it to be fully effective.
I,
brush leather shoes
For sneakers, wipe lightly with a damp cloth
For children's shoes, wipe with a dry cloth
This step must be done.
② Use outdoors
Always use waterproof spray in a well-ventilated area.
I often use it outside the entrance or on the balcony.
③ Spray evenly from a distance of 20-30 cm
If you spray from too close or concentrate on one spot,
it may become uneven
it may drip
it may cause stains
can happen.
Aim to spray evenly from a distance of 20-30 cm until the entire shoe is lightly damp.
④ Let it dry completely before wearing
Personally, I think this is the most important part.
Waterproof spray,
does not provide its maximum effect the moment you spray it.
It is only after the solvent evaporates and the water-repellent components settle into the material that it can perform at its best.
Therefore,
"It's raining now, so I'll spray it and wear it immediately"
Therefore,
it is recommended to spray it the night before and let it dry thoroughly overnight.
is recommended.
Actually, waterproofing spray is also a "stain-repellent spray."
Waterproofing spray also has stain-repellent effects.
Because it creates a water-repellent film on the surface,
mud splashes
dust
minor spills
dirt on children's school shoes
and the like become less likely to stick.
I often spray it on new shoes not just for waterproofing,
to make them resistant to dirt
but also to make them resistant to dirt.
How many times should you apply waterproofing spray? How often should you reapply it?
For new shoes, two applications are recommended.
What I often do with new shoes is
the method of spraying once and letting it dry, then spraying again and letting it dry once more.
a method I use.
Especially,
White sneakers
Children's shoes
Shoes worn before the rainy season
Shoes worn daily for commuting
and the like provide a sense of security.
For everyday use, once every 1 to 2 weeks is a good guideline
If they are shoes you wear every day,
about once every 1 to 2 weeks
is a good guideline to follow.
You can increase the frequency during the rainy season
I sometimes increase the frequency a little during the rainy season.
This is because not only rain, but also
mud
splashing water
humidity
cause the water-repellent layer to wear out faster.
The sign that it's time to reapply is when water stops beading
When new, water droplets will roll right off.
However, when the effect starts to wear off,
water will spread out or start to soak into the fabric.
When that happens, it is time to reapply.
How to use by material and points to note
Fluorine-based sprays are recommended for leather shoes
This is because they are less likely to impair the texture or breathability of the leather.
Especially for suede and nubuck, it is useful not only for waterproofing but also for preventing stains.
Fluorine-based sprays are also the standard for sneakers
Since dirt is easily noticeable on white sneakers,
I often spray them when they are new, not so much for waterproofing, but as
stain prevention
.
Gore-Tex works well with fluorine-based sprays
For Gore-Tex, I recommend
fluorine-based spray + complete drying
.
I spray them the night before and let them dry overnight before wearing them.
This is how I use it.
Waterproof spray is also effective for children's shoes for stain prevention
Children's shoes are placed in harsh environments,
such as puddles, sandboxes, and mud.
That is why waterproof spray is a very compatible item.
Common mistakes with waterproofing spray I often saw at the sales floor
Spraying it lightly indoors and finishing
As a rule, waterproofing spray should be used outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
Wearing the shoes immediately after spraying
Personally, I think this is the biggest waste.
I recommend
spraying them the night before and letting them dry overnight before wearing them
that you do this.
Spraying while the shoes are dirty
If you spray while mud or dust is still on them, the spray will not be able to perform as intended.
Spraying on wet shoes
Waterproofing spray is basically
meant to be used on dry shoes
.
Thinking that one application lasts forever
Waterproofing spray wears off.
You can only maintain the effect by reapplying it regularly.
Summary
The trick to enhancing the effect of waterproofing spray is
to spray it while the shoes are brand new
Use it after removing dirt
Use it outdoors
Spray from a distance of 20 to 30 cm
Wear them only after they are completely dry
Reapply periodically
These are the six points.
In particular,
“Wear them only after they are completely dry”
—this one extra step makes a difference in the waterproofing effect.
Also, waterproof spray has benefits such as:
making it easier to repel rain
making it harder for mud and dust to stick
making it easier to remove dirt
helping your shoes last longer
and so on.
I often spray it on new sneakers and children's shoes, not just for waterproofing, but also
“to keep the shoes from getting dirty.”
I do this quite often.
Why not take another look at your routine during the rainy season?
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*This article was drafted and structured using AI, and then edited and supplemented by the author, an active shoe fitter, based on their own experience and expertise.
Author Profile
Over 20 years of experience in the footwear industry. After 17 years of retail sales at a shoe specialty store (men's shoes, sneakers, women's and children's shoes), I am currently in charge of sales and product planning at a shoe manufacturer in the Kansai region. I hold a shoe fitter certification.
I regularly read fashion magazines like Begin, 2nd, and Lightning to keep up with trends in shoes and fashion.
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